Pothole Detection and Cost Estimation

Chapter 1:

INTRODUCTION

Roads are important means of transport which carry 90 percent of country's passenger
traffic. Major problem faced by developing countries is maintenance of roads. As we know most
of the roads in India are narrow and congested with poor surface quality and maintenance of the
roads are not satisfactory. Due to the poor maintenance and servicing of the roads has led to
creation of potholes. According to a survey by automation association one of the major reasons for
road accidents are potholes. When a driver slows down the speed of the vehicle there are high
chances of collision. with the vehicle following it.

Roads makes a crucial contribution to economic development and bring important social
benefits. They are of vital importance in order to make a nation grow and develop. Roads open up
more areas and stimulate economic and social development. For those reasons, road infrastructure
is the most important of all public assets. However, due to repeated loading and weathering on
roads, a pothole may be caused, affecting human life very badly. A pothole is a structural failure
in a road surface, Cause due to the presence of water in the underlying soil structure and the
presence of traffic passing over the affected area.

Every year humans lose more than one lakh lives on Indian roads, and the proportion of
accidents due to potholes on the road is quite significant. The problem is exacerbated during the
rainy season. Accidents occur mainly due to the coverage of potholes by water in rainy seasons. If
these potholes are detected in real-time while driving, it will help vehicle drivers to avoid them
and thus to escape from near danger. A pothole is characterized as surface damage to the road. It
is typically a whole structure that has grown over time due to weather and transportation. Car
wheels (dents in the rims),

This project is to make a robot that helps society in promoting road safety and reduces the
difficulties in detecting the pothole, and also reduces the usage of human power and hence saves
time. designing of Semi-Automatic Robot that will detect the pothole on the road and estimate the
repair cost to fill the pothole. hence the accidents that occur due to the pothole may be reduced,
Road safety is necessary, most important safety precautions to save our lives. Roadway pavements
should be continuously monitored and repaired as needed to ensure the quality of the road surface.
Well-maintained roads benefit the people as well as the economy of the country significantly. The
World Health Organization predicts the Authorities have been concerned about the asphalt
pavement distresses to prevent unfavourable situations. Pavements are susceptible to traffic load,
weather, ageing, defective building materials, and a terrible drainage system, demonstrating two
significant pavement failures, such as cracks and potholes. In essence, potholes are concave
depressions in the road surface that need to be filled in because they cause terrible situations like
accidents, unpleasant driving experiences, and malfunctioning automobiles suspension
components, deflated tyres, wheel alignment difficulty, and undercarriage damage can all be

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brought on by potholes. It demands the need for identification and classification of potholes
in the pavement.

Figure 1.1: Pothole on road

The Pothole Detection and Cost Estimation Project aims to leverage sensor data to address
the widespread issue of potholes in road infrastructure. This project seeks to develop a
comprehensive system that can automatically detect the potholes and feeds the sensor data.
Additionally, the project aims to estimate the cost of repairing identified potholes accurately.
This project is to enhance road safety, reduce economic costs associated with vehicle
damage, and contribute to the efficient maintenance of transportation infrastructure. By developing
an automated system for pothole detection and cost estimation, the project seeks to provide
transportation authorities with valuable insights for prioritizing repairs and optimizing resource
allocation. the system aims to streamline the process of identifying and addressing potholes,
ultimately contributing to improved road conditions and overall transportation efficiency.

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1.1 Motivation

Detecting potholes and estimating associated costs is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it
enhances road safety by enabling timely repairs, reducing accidents, and minimizing vehicle
damage. Secondly, efficient pothole detection aids in maintaining smooth traffic flow, preventing
congestion, and improving overall transportation infrastructure. Additionally, accurate cost
estimation helps allocate resources effectively, ensuring cost-efficient repairs and optimal use of
public funds for infrastructure maintenance. Detecting potholes is crucial for road safety, as it helps
prevent accidents and damage to vehicles. Timely repairs based on accurate cost estimation can
enhance overall road infrastructure, reducing maintenance expenses and enhancing the lifespan
of roads.

Pothole detection is crucial for road safety, as it helps prevent accidents and damage to
vehicles. Early identification reduces maintenance costs by addressing issues before they escalate.
Accurate cost estimation ensures efficient budget allocation for timely repairs, contributing to
overall infrastructure sustainability. Pothole detection technology is motivated by enhancing road
safety, reducing vehicle damage, and minimizing maintenance costs. Timely identification of
potholes allows for proactive repairs, preventing accidents and lowering overall road maintenance
expenses. Cost estimation helps allocate resources efficiently and prioritize areas requiring
immediate attention, contributing to smoother, safer road infrastructure.

Pothole detection serves as a crucial component in road maintenance and safety. Identifying
and repairing potholes promptly can prevent accidents, reduce vehicle damage, and enhance
overall road quality. Cost estimation associated with pothole detection helps allocate resources
efficiently, ensuring timely repairs and minimizing long-term infrastructure expenses. Pothole
detection can enhance road safety by identifying and repairing damaged areas promptly, reducing
accidents and vehicle damage. Cost estimation helps allocate resources efficiently, ensuring timely
repairs and minimizing overall maintenance expenses. Together, they contribute to smoother
traffic flow and prolonged road infrastructure lifespan.

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1.2 Objectives

The main objective of the project is to design and fabricate a Semi-Automated Robot,
which will detect the pothole on the road and will discharge the required amount of concrete
quantity, which is needed for the detected pothole and to do the levelling process on the
discharged concrete and hence the pothole on the road filled completely. The power source for
the robot is switched ON and allows the robot to move on the road. The Infra-red sensor on the
front of the robot is allowed to sense the surface of the road, if the pothole will be detected, the
sensor sends the signals to controller, and the controller suddenly stops the movement of the
robot near the pothole and allows to discharge the required concrete needed for the detected
pothole. Then the pothole is levelled by the slider-crank mechanism.

With the increase in world’s population, there has been increasing load on the
infrastructure. Streets have been overflowed with the vehicular activity. It has turned out to be
progressively hard to deal with this activity. This is the main inspiration driving making a vehicle
sufficiently insightful to help the driver in different perspectives. One of the increasing problems
the roads are facing is worsened road conditions. In view of numerous reasons like downpours,
oil slicks, street mishaps or inescapable wear and tearmake the street hard to drive upon.
Unforeseen obstacles on street may cause moremischances. Likewise in view of the terrible
street conditions, fuel utilization of thevehicle expands, causing wastage of valuable fuel. Due
to these reasons, it is imperative.to get the data of such terrible street conditions. Collect this
data and convey it to differentvehicles, which thus, can caution the driver. As a matter of first
importance, there are different strategies to get the data about the street conditions. At that point,
the data mustbe passed on in the way which can be comprehended and utilized by the driver. We
in this venture endeavor to plan and assemble such a framework.

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Chapter 2:

LITERATURE SURVEY

[1]. D. Desai, A. Soni, D. Panchal and S. Gajjar, "Design, Development and Testing of
Automatic Pothole Detection and Alert System," 2019 IEEE 16th India Council
International Conference (INDICON), 2020.

Every year several road accidents take place solely credited to the potholes. In this paper, an
Automatic Pothole Detection and Alert System is developed using ultrasonic sensor,
accelerometer, stereo camera and Global Positioning System (GPS) integrated with Raspberry Pi.
The system identifies a pothole, alerts the rider and generates location database of existing
potholes. This in turn can create cautiousness in the riders, decrease number of accidents and
maintenance costs of vehicles. The experimental results state that the system is able to identify the
potholes with 90% accuracy. The cost of the system is around 8000 INR and it reduces average
vehicle maintenance cost by 35-50 %. The time taken to send GPS location to the database and
send alert to the rider is 4 sec. A strong, city-wise database is generated which can further chisel
the system for the entire nation

[2]. B. Ali, D. Thahir, K. Al-Karmi, S. Esmaeili and A. Alateyah, "Pothole Patrol: An

autonomous Vehicle for Locating and Repairing Potholes," 2022 International Congress on
Human-Computer Interaction, Optimization and Robotic Applications (HORA), 2022.

Many factors, including weather conditions, temperature, and significantly heavy weights caused
by vehicles can introduce flaws in the pavement. As a result, this creates several cracks or cavities
in the roadway which could lead to damages to motor vehicles and an increase in the rate of road
accidents. In this paper, we introduce a practical solution that includes an autonomous vehicle that
locates and repairs potholes that are found on streets. The proposed system carries out several
processes including detection, filling, and compacting processes. The proposed system also
incorporates two software interfaces, one to be used by the user, and another one that is operated
by the administrator. The proposed system could lead to the minimization of government funds
spent on repair tasks, environmental dangers, and current labour-intensive measures.

[3]. S. SB, A. B. KM and G. Mishra, "Sensor Based Pothole Detection System," 2021 IEEE
International Conference on Cloud Computing in Emerging Markets (CCEM), 2021.

Many developing countries like India continuously strive to improve the quality of arterial
network- roads of the country, but to do this effectively and efficiently they lack real time
information on road health. With real-time information, they would be able to instantly plan,
prioritize, and perform the road maintenance work. This would drastically bring down the number
of accidents. A priority-based maintenance plan would help the civic authorities in sanctioning
funds to repair the damaged high traffic roads at the earliest Our endeavour in this project is to
detect potholes using accelerometers mounted on four-wheeler vehicles through comparative

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analysis of data. It is followed by classification of potholes and mapping of the location on a GUI
based Android Application which can be made available for public use, providing information
about the location and severity of potholes in real-time. Index Terms-Pothole detection,
Accelerometer, GPS module, Node MCU, Sensor Network.

[4]. T. Kalushkov, G. Shipkovenski, E. Petkov and R. Radoeva, "Accelerometer Sensor

Network For Reliable Pothole Detection," 2021 5th International Symposium on
Multidisciplinary Studies and Innovative Technologies (ISMSIT), 2021.

This paper represents a practical fully automated solution for evaluating the road surface in a
desired section. The suggested system for pothole detection uses detection node with two
accelerometers. Its main goal is to make analysis of the potholes on the road surface and to
visualize on the map the bigger ones, thereby increasing the safety and comfort of all passengers.
The system exploits two detection methods, based on z-axis algorithms, to determine the number
and location of potholes using a mobile phone and an external controller with a GY-521 sensor.
When both devices detect a pothole, the sensor node sends an alert with GPS coordinates to a
central node, which maintains the database. In such manner, the system response is delayed
inversely with the route load, but the reliability increases significantly. The sensor network
backbone takes advantage of the existing mobile network technologies. The proposed system is
fully compatible with the concepts for smart cities and easy can become part of their environment.

[5]. V. Kaushik and B. S. Kalyan, "Pothole Detection System: A Review of Different Methods
Used for Detection," 2022 Second International Conference on Computer Science,
Engineering and Applications (ICCSEA), 2022.

FISAT Potholes are the major cause of road accidents. Potholes can cause different type of damages
to the vehicles such as flat tire, damage to the wheel and can also cause impact on the body and
interior of the vehicle which can cause major injuries to the person. Therefore, proper detection of
the potholes is very important task and also proper planning should be done in order to improve
the roads condition and for the repairing of the potholes by the road management system. Several
plans have been made for the development of a technique which can automatically detect the
pothole. In this paper, we will discuss about some of the technology which have been used for the
detection of pothole and will propose a pothole detecting technique which can accurately detect
and recognize the pothole.

[6]. Patil, S., Waghmare, S., Bhagat, A., & Pardeshi, P. (2015). "Automatic Pothole Detection
System using GPS and Accelerometer." International Journal of Innovative Research in
Science, Engineering and Technology (IJIRSET).

In this paper, an Automatic Pothole Detection and Alert System is developed using ultrasonic
sensor, accelerometer, stereo camera and Global Positioning System (GPS) integrated with
Raspberry Pi. The system identifies a pothole, alerts the rider and generates location database of
existing potholes.

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[7]. Nidhin, K., Sreehari, P., & Sujith, M. (2016). "Real-Time Pothole Detection Using
Smartphones." International Journal of Innovative Research in Computer and
Communication Engineering.

A system has been developed that integrates deep learning algorithms with smartphones to detect
potholes in real-time1.The user interface of this system is a smartphone application that maps all
potholes along the user’s route. Deep learning object detection algorithms, such as the Single Shot
Multi-box Detector (SSD), work in the background using the smartphone’s camera to identify
potholes. When an unregistered pothole is detected, its coordinates are updated in the system’s
database in real-time. Additionally, the system uses accelerometer and gyroscope readings to
detect unregistered potholes, ensuring robust results even if one mechanism fails. The detected
pothole coordinates are rendered on the map user interface within the same application1.

Zero-Cost Solution: This system, with its map/navigation feature as the front end and the dual-fold
deep learning pothole detection algorithm in the backend, provides an efficient and zero-cost
solution for real-time pothole detection.

[8]. Patil, P. P., Patil, S. B., & Shaikh, M. G. (2015). "Pothole Detection and Road Condition
Monitoring Using Sensors." International Journal of Computer Applications.

Pothole detection primarily focuses on accelerometer data processing, while some studies have
used both accelerometer and gyroscope data, including the vehicle's average speed, to obtain road
roughness using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) method.

[9]. Kumar, S., Singh, M., & Gupta, P. (2018). "A Vision-Based Approach for Real-Time
Pothole Detection." IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems.

In the realm of modern transportation, high-speed vehicles are becoming increasingly prevalent.
However, road conditions, including potholes, cracks, and other defects, often hinder drivers from
reaching their full designed speeds. These road imperfections not only inconvenience passengers
but also lead to wear and tear of automobiles, increased fuel consumption, and tragically, loss of
human life in road accidents.

Detecting and addressing bad road conditions, especially potholes, is crucial for road maintenance
and safety. Various image processing techniques have been employed to monitor pavement
surfaces and detect potholes. However, the diverse road conditions, varying scales, shapes, sizes,
and lighting conditions of potholes have posed challenges to achieving stable and accurate results.

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[10]. Patel, N., Shah, V., & Desai, A. (2017). "An Efficient Pothole Detection and Alert
System." International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering &
Technology (IJARCET).

This system combines real-time pothole detection using computer vision with the power of Google
Maps. It provides timely alerts to drivers and enables efficient repairs by integrating live map
data2.

Automatic Pothole Detection and Alert System: Developed using ultrasonic sensors,
accelerometers, stereo cameras, and GPS integrated with a Raspberry Pi. Identifies potholes, alerts
riders, and generates a location database of existing potholes3.

Deep Learning for Real-Time Pothole Detection: Various technical solutions exist, including
scanning-based methods, vibration sensors, thermal imaging, and computer vision. Computer
vision-based approaches analyse road images to identify potholes and assess their severity.

2.1 Problem Statement

A Road pothole leads a significant threat to both drivers and road infrastructure. The lack
of real-time detection systems results in delayed repairs and increased safety risks. There is a need
for an integrated solution that addresses both road safety and environmental sustainability.

2.2 Solution to the Problem

Solution involves the development of a Smart Pothole Detection Robot equipped with
ultrasonic sensors, IoT integration. This comprehensive system aims to detect potholes in real-
time, provide timely alerts, and contribute to road safety. The integration of cost estimation
algorithms adds an economic dimension to road maintenance.

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2.3 Methodology

Detecting potholes using a microcontroller involves using various sensors to identify

changes in road surfaces. This system propose an innovative method to prevent these hazards by
using the advanced sensor system. The sensors will be attached to vehicles and from vehicles, the
data is obtained from sensors and the location obtained by the GPS are transferred to road
transport authority by IOT where officials take necessary actions. This system consists of sensors
like ultrasonic sensor for detecting pothole and Wi-Fi module and GPS module and
Microcontroller used for data collecting and sending that data to IOT platform Using the
obtained data, more damaged area can be prioritized and damage control can be reduced

Working methodology of mainly divided into following segments.

1. Data Collection: Place sensors on a vehicle to collect data on irregularities.

2. Signal Processing: The microcontroller processes sensor data to identify patterns
indicative of a pothole.
3. Pothole Identification: Algorithms analyse processed data to distinguish between regular
road imperfections and actual potholes.
4. Alert Mechanism: Once a pothole is detected, an alert can be triggered, possibly through
an interface or an external system.

In the proposed system, advanced sensor system is used to track and update the potholes
on the road. Ultrasonic sensor is used to find the difference between the pothole and vehicle. The
sensor will detect the unusual changes in the sensor values. The threshold level is fixed beforehand.
These sensor values are fed to the Microcontroller and the GPS sensor updates the coordinates
where exactly the potholes are present. This data is sent into the web server through IOT to take
necessary action. Using the information road condition is predicted and prioritization is done to
take the necessary steps. Interfacing an LCD with a microcontroller involves connecting the
necessary pins of the LCD module to the microcontroller and then controlling the display by
sending commands and data to it. Here the purpose of the LCD to display the collected relevant
information form the sensor and pot hole detection algorithm outcome.

All the sensors are connected with the microcontroller making it a compact system. The
system is assumed to work automatically after the first initialization. The Ultrasonic sensor is
placed in such a way that it detects the distance between the road and the sensor commonly placed
under the chassis of the vehicle. The code of the sensor is designed to calculate the distance and
simultaneously calculate the average distance of the road. When a reading is above the average
calculated value, the value is said to be of the pothole. From there, The GPS Module is initiated
after a pothole is detected. The module is placed directly above the ultrasonic sensor which gives
us the precise coordinates. The coordinates in the form of latitude and longitude are uploaded in
the IOT cloud. Along with this, the app will also provide the raw data of the potholes which
includes the pothole and their coordinates.

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COST ESTIMATION:

Figure-2.3.1: Road layers

Cost estimation is based on the layers which are presented in the road and thickness of the road,
When a reading is above the average calculated value of sensor, the value is said to be pothole.
commonly there are four layers presented in road, they are,

1. Subgrade Preparation

2. Sub-base

3. Base Course

4. Bituminous Concrete (BC) or Asphalt Concrete (AC) Layer

Based on the depth of the potholes repairing cost will be estimated. Cost estimation is done in the
program. The Public Works Department (PWD) in Bangalore, India, typically follows a standard
road construction process that includes different layers. The construction cost of these layers can
vary based on factors such as material availability, market rates, and project specifications.
However, the following is a general overview of the layers and their approximate construction
costs:

1. Subgrade Preparation: This involves preparing the existing ground to support the road
layers. The cost can vary based on the extent of preparation needed but can range from Rs. 50-
100 per square meter, Thickness (150-300).

2. Sub-base: A layer of granular material such as crushed stone or gravel that provides a stable
foundation for the road. The cost can range from Rs. 150-300 per square meter. Thickness (100-
300).

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3. Base Course: This layer typically consists of crushed aggregate and is placed on top of the
sub-base. The cost can range from Rs. 200-400 per square meter. Thickness (100-300).

4. Bituminous Concrete (BC) or Asphalt Concrete (AC) Layer: This is the topmost layer of
the road and provides a smooth driving surface. The cost can range from Rs. 300-600 per square
meter. Thickness (50-100).

It's important to note that these costs are approximate and can vary based on specific project
requirements, location, and market conditions. Additionally, these costs do not include expenses
such as labor, equipment, and overhead, which can also contribute to the overall construction
cost. For accurate cost estimates, it's advisable to consult with local PWD authorities or
construction professionals.

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Chapter 3:

SYSTEM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION

3.1 Block Diagram

Figure-3.1: Block Diagram

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Chapter 4:

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Hardware Requirements

1. Arduino Uno:
The Arduino Uno is a popular microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P
microcontroller. It is widely used in various projects and is well-suited for beginners and
hobbyists due to its simplicity and ease of use.

• Microcontroller: The Arduino Uno is powered by the ATmega328P microcontroller,

which is an 8-bit AVR microcontroller. It operates at a clock speed of 16 MHz and has
32KB of flash memory for storing the program code.
• I/O Pins: The Uno has a total of 14 digital input/output (I/O) pins, out of which 6 can
be used as PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) output pins. These pins allow you to
interface with various sensors, actuators, and other electronic components. The board
also has 6 analog input pins for reading analog sensor values.
• Programming: The Arduino Uno can be easily programmed using the Arduino
Software (IDE), which provides a user-friendly interface for writing, compiling, and
uploading code to the board. The programming language is based on Wiring, a
simplified version of C/C++, making it accessible for beginners.
• Shields: The Uno is compatible with various expansion boards called shields, which
can be easily stacked on top of the board. Shields provide additional functionalities such
as Ethernet connectivity, wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), motor
control, display interfaces, and more. This modularity allows for easy customization
and expansion of the Uno's capabilities.
• Power Supply: The Arduino Uno can be powered via the USB connection or an
external power source. It has a built-in voltage regulator that allows it to be powered by
a range of voltages (typically 7-12V). Additionally, it can supply 5V and 3.3V power to
connected components, making it suitable for driving various sensors and modules.
• Serial Communication: The Uno has a built-in USB interface that allows for serial
communication with a computer. This enables easy debugging, data exchange, and

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interaction with software applications. The board also has dedicated hardware serial
ports (UART) that can be used for communication with other devices.

• Community and Libraries: The Arduino Uno has a large and active community of
users and developers. This community provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and
code examples that can help beginners get started quickly and support more advanced
projects. There is also a vast library of pre-written code, known as sketches, which
simplifies the development process.

Figure-5.1.1: Arduino Uno

Open-Source: The Arduino Uno is an open-source hardware platform, which means the design
files and specifications are freely available. This openness encourages collaboration,
innovation, and the sharing of knowledge within the Arduino community.
The Arduino Uno's simplicity, versatility, and extensive community support have made it a
popular choice for a wide range of projects, from simple prototypes to complex IoT
applications. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, the Arduino Uno offers a

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user-friendly and flexible platform for experimenting, learning, and creating interactive
electronic projects.

2. GPS Module:
The GPS module utilized in the system is built around the NEO-6M GPS chip
developed by u-blox. This chip is capable of tracking up to 22 satellites on 50 channels and
achieves exceptional sensitivity with -161 dB tracking ability while consuming a low supply
current of 45mA. The NEO-6M chip incorporates the u-blox 6 positioning engine, which
enables a Time-To-First-Fix (TTFF) of less than 1 second. Notably, the module includes a
Power Save Mode (PSM) feature that conserves power by selectively activating and
deactivating specific parts of the receiver, resulting in a reduced current consumption of only
11mA. The necessary data pins of the NEO-6M GPS chip are accessible through headers,
enabling communication with a microcontroller using UART.

Figure-5.1.2: NEO-6M GPS Module

3. Li-Po Battery:
To power the SIM900L GSM module, a 3.7V Li-Po battery with a 2A rating is
employed. This choice is motivated by the operating voltage requirements of the GSM module.
Li-Po (Lithium-Polymer) batteries are rechargeable batteries that utilize a polymer electrolyte
instead of a liquid electrolyte. They are lightweight and possess a high energy density, enabling
the storage of a significant amount of energy in a small form factor. Li-Po batteries also exhibit
a low self-discharge rate and can be manufactured in various shapes and sizes, making them
suitable for portable electronic devices such as smart phones, drones, and remote-control
vehicles

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4. Node MCU:

• A cost-effective and highly integrated Wi-Fi MCU for IoT applications.

• The ESP8266 Wi-Fi Module is a self-contained SOC with integrated TCP/IP protocol stack
that can give any microcontroller access to your Wi-Fi network.

• The ESP8266 is capable of either hosting an application or offloading all Wi-Fi

Networking functions from another application processor.

• The location and type of the pothole is shared to the Blynk IoT software with the help of Wi-
Fi Module present in the Node MCU.

Figure-5.1.3: Node MCU

5. Ultrasonic sensor HC-SR04:

• An ultrasonic sensor is an electronic device that measures the distance of a target

object by emitting ultrasonic sound waves, and converts the reflected sound into an

electrical signal.

• Ultrasonic ranging module HC - SR04 provides 2cm - 400cm non-contact

measurement function, the ranging accuracy can reach to 3mm.

• In this project, the ultrasonic sensor is used to detect a pothole when there is a change

in distance between the sensor and ground.

• It also classifies the pothole as minor or major pothole based on its depth.

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Figure-5.1.4: Ultrasonic sensor HC-SR04

6. Servo motor:

• The MG996R is a metal gear servo motor with a maximum stall torque of 11 kg/cm.

• The MG996R motor rotates from 0 to 180 degree based on the duty cycle of the PWM

wave supplied to its signal pin.

• The servo motor is used to open the outlet used to store patching materials

Figure-5.1.5: Servo motor

7. LCD display:

A 16×2 LCD display is a liquid crystal display that can show 16 characters in each of its two
rows, providing a total of 32 characters of information. It's commonly used to display alphanumeric
information in various electronic devices.

An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with 2 lines and 16 characters per line is a common type of
alphanumeric display used in various electronic devices. This type of display typically consists of 2
rows, each capable of displaying up to 16 characters, for a total of 32 characters.

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These displays are often used in embedded systems, consumer electronics, and industrial applications
to provide visual feedback or information to users. They are commonly interfaced with
microcontrollers or other control circuits to display messages, data, or prompts.

When using a 2x16 LCD display, developers can write software to control the display and update the
content as needed. This may involve sending commands and data to the display using a
communication protocol such as I2C, SPI, or parallel interface, depending on the specific model of
the LCD.

Figure-5.1.6: LCD display

8. Bluetooth module:

The HC05 bluetooth module is used as UART serial converter module and can easily transfer
the UART data through the wireless bluetooth. The Bluetooth module has a Frequency: 2.4GHz
ISM band, PIO control and comes with an integrated antenna and edge connector.

Figure-5.1.7: Bluetooth module

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9. Motor Driver IC(L293D):

The L293D is a 16-pin Motor Driver IC which can control a set of two DC motors
simultaneously in any direction. The L293D is designed to provide bidirectional drive currents of
up to 600 mA (per channel) at voltages from 4.5 V to 36 V (at pin 8!). You can use it to
control small dc motors

Figure-5.1.8: Motor Driver IC(L293D)

10. DC Motor:

This 775 DC motor has the characteristic of high speed, Large torque, low noise, built-in cooling
fan, small size, durable and long service life. It can rotate CW and CCW. Default with motor
mounting bracket and 2-In-1 3.2in length flat and Phillips screwdrivers.

Figure-5.1.9: DC Motor

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5.2Software Requirements

1. Operating System:
Windows 10 is a widely used operating system that offers compatibility and
communication options, making it convenient for users of the Arduino IDE. It provides a user-
friendly interface and development tools for programming Arduino boards.

2. IDE (Integrated Development Environment):

• The Integrated Development Environment (IDE) used for Arduino development is the

Arduino IDE. It is an open-source software platform that provides a user-friendly

interface and simplifies the programming and development process for Arduino
projects. The Arduino IDE is specifically designed to work seamlessly with Arduino
boards and offers a range of features to facilitate coding.
• One of the key advantages of the Arduino IDE is its simplicity, making it accessible to
beginners and experienced developers alike. It provides a straightforward interface for
writing, compiling, and uploading code to the Arduino board. The IDE also includes a
built-in code editor with syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and error checking,
which helps to improve code accuracy and efficiency.
• Another notable feature of the Arduino IDE is its cross-platform compatibility. It is
designed to run on various operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux,
allowing users to work with their preferred system. This versatility enables a wide range
of developers to utilize the Arduino IDE for their projects.
• In terms of programming languages, the Arduino IDE primarily supports the C and C++
languages, which are commonly used in embedded systems development. However,
with the help of additional libraries and extensions, developers can also write Arduino
code using other languages like Python.

3. Coding Language:
Embedded C is a programming language commonly used for developing software in
embedded systems, including Arduino. It allows developers to write efficient and optimized
code for low-power devices with limited resources. Embedded C enables the implementation
of essential f eatures in the GPS-based toll collection system, such as GPS tracking and

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Pothole Detection and Cost Estimation

communication with the GSM module. Its simplicity and reliability make it a preferred choice
for Arduino projects.

4. Blynk IOT software:

Blynk is an IOT platform for IOS or Android smart phones that is used to control
Arduino, Raspberry Pi and Node MCU via the Internet. It is a IOT software platform for
connecting devices to the cloud, building mobile apps to remotely control and monitor them,
and managing thousands of users. This application is used to create a graphical interface or
human machine interface (HMI) by compiling and providing the appropriate address on the
available widgets. Blynk was designed for the Internet of Things. It can control hardware
remotely, it can display sensor data, it can store data, visualize it and do many other cool things.
There are three major components in the platform; Blynk App, Blynk Server, and Blynk
Libraries. Blynk App allows you to create amazing interfaces for your projects using various
widgets which are provided. Blynk Server is responsible for all the communications between
the smart phone and hardware. You can use the Blynk Cloud or run your private Blynk server
locally. It's open-source, could easily handle thousands of devices and can even be launched
on a Raspberry Pi. Blynk Libraries It enables communication, for all the popular hardware
platforms, with the server and process all the incoming and out coming commands. Here in this
project, the GPS location of the pothole and the type of potholes is shared via this platform.

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Chapter 5:

CONCLUSION

Project phase -1 report is finalized to design “Pothole Detection and Cost Estimation”. Papers
are reviewed based on the finalized topic. Based on the reviewed block diagram hardware and software
requirement is finalized.
The deployment of semi-automated cost estimation robot marks a significant step forward in
safety measures. The pothole detection identifies a pothole and classifies them by measuring its depth
and generates location database of existing pothole and the repairing cost of the pothole is estimated.
The pothole detection robot can create cautiousness in the riders decreases the number of accidents.

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REFERENCES

[1]. D. Desai, A. Soni, D. Panchal and S. Gajjar, "Design, Development and Testing of Automatic
Pothole Detection and Alert System," 2020 IEEE 16th India Council International Conference
(INDICON), 2020.

[2]. B. Ali, D. Thahir, K. Al-Karmi, S. Esmaeili and A. Alateyah, "Pothole Patrol: An autonomous
Vehicle for Locating and Repairing Potholes," 2022 International Congress on Human-Computer
Interaction, Optimization and Robotic Applications (HORA), 2022.

[3]. S. SB, A. B. KM and G. Mishra, "Sensor Based Pothole Detection System," 2021 IEEE
International Conference on Cloud Computing in Emerging Markets (CCEM), 2021.

[4]. T. Kalushkov, G. Shipkovenski, E. Petkov and R. Radoeva, "Accelerometer Sensor Network For
Reliable Pothole Detection," 2021 5th International Symposium on Multidisciplinary Studies and
Innovative Technologies (ISMSIT), 2021.

[5]. V. Kaushik and B. S. Kalyan, "Pothole Detection System: A Review of Different Methods Used for
Detection," 2022 Second International Conference on Computer Science, Engineering and Applications
(ICCSEA), 2022.

[6]. Patil, S., Waghmare, S., Bhagat, A., & Pardeshi, P. (2021). "Automatic Pothole Detection System
using GPS and Accelerometer." International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering
and Technology (IJIRSET).

[7]. Nidhin, K., Sreehari, P., & Sujith, M. (2020). "Real-Time Pothole Detection Using Smartphones."
International Journal of Innovative Research in Computer and Communication Engineering.

[8]. Patil, P. P., Patil, S. B., & Shaikh, M. G. (2019). "Pothole Detection and Road Condition Monitoring
Using Sensors." International Journal of Computer Applications.

[9]. Kumar, S., Singh, M., & Gupta, P. (2023). "A Vision-Based Approach for Real-Time Pothole
Detection." IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems.

[10]. Patel, N., Shah, V., & Desai, A. (2022). "An Efficient Pothole Detection and Alert System."
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET).

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