Dedicated Automobile Traffic Monitor with Raspberry Pi

Step 1: The screen

The screen
I have found a nice screen on ebay for ~18€, a 3.2″ TFT LCD Touch Screen, cheap and small is ideal.

– Installing raspbian-DVK512-12040725.img
To use the touch screen, we run under a Raspbian distribution, you can download the image file here already configured to work with the XPT2046 LCD Control (most common 3.2 TFT found on ebay) . Extract the image file on a 2Gb mini SD Card, and run the setup config.

– Calibrate the screen
Go to Preferences, Calibration Touchscreen, follow the instructions.

Dedicated Automobile Traffic Monitor with Raspberry Pi

Step 2: The data connection

I have a Samsung S4 Mini cell phone, the raspberry-pi will use the router
function (Wifi) to download the data through LTE/4G network. Use a cheap USB Wireless Nano Dongle (WiFi Adapter), around 3$ on ebay. Plug the dongle, there is no need additional drivers, run wpa-gui-wireless to reach your network wifi from your phone.

Step 3: Configuring LXDE to start the Midori browser on login (with your favorite road traffic map)

Connect your Raspberry to your local network through Eth link, grab the Ip address, and and log-in using Putty. Then:
Edit the autostart file:

sudo nano /etc/xdg/lxsession/LXDE/autostart

Comment out everything using a ‘#’ at the start of each line and then add the following lines

# Auto run the browser

@xset s off

@xset -dpms

@xset s noblank

@midori -e Fullscreen -a http://m.sytadin.fr

#(i use the mobile version of m.sytadin.fr to load the traffic road of Paris)

Use the configuration tool to enable auto running of the GUI on powerup

sudo raspi-config

Dedicated Automobile Traffic Monitor with Raspberry Pi

– Power supply – Install and configure start/shutdown button (option)
Power supply is provided by a 12v/5v cigarette lighter socket converter, for my test i use a Lenovo 90W Ultraslim AC/DC Combo Power Adapter.

I found a start/shutdown button on mausberrycircuits.com, also you can find many result with google, some interesting links. You need to properly shutdown the Raspberry, otherwise it will corrupt your OS.

– Case and holder
A classic enclosure Raspberry Pi B Acrylique with “GPS” holder to mount in the car, from ebay or dealextrem.

 

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About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.

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