Arduino - Traffic Light | Arduino Tutorial (2024)

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Arduino - Traffic Light | Arduino Tutorial (1)

In this tutorial, we are going to learn how to use Arduino control the traffic light module. In detail, we will learn:

  • How to connect the traffic light module to Arduino

  • How to program Arduino to control RGB traffic light module

  • How to program Arduino to control RGB traffic light module without using delay() function

Hardware Required

1×Arduino UNO or Genuino UNO
1×USB 2.0 cable type A/B
1×Traffic Light Module
1×Jumper Wires
1×(Optional) 9V Power Adapter for Arduino
1×(Recommended) Screw Terminal Block Shield for Arduino Uno
1×(Optional) Transparent Acrylic Enclosure For Arduino Uno

Or you can buy the following sensor kit:

1×DIYables Sensor Kit 30 types, 69 units

Please note: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy the components through these links, We will get a commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate it.

About Traffic Light Module

Pinout

A traffic light module includes 4 pins:

  • GND pin: The ground pin, connect this pin to GND of Arduino.

  • R pin: The pin to control the red light, connect this pin to a digital output of Arduino.

  • Y pin: The pin to control the yellow light, connect this pin to a digital output of Arduino.

  • G pin: The pin to control the green light, connect this pin to a digital output of Arduino.

Arduino - Traffic Light | Arduino Tutorial (2)

How It Works

Wiring Diagram

Arduino - Traffic Light | Arduino Tutorial (3)

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

How To Program For Traffic Light module

  • Configure an Arduino's pins to the digital output mode by using pinMode() function

pinMode(PIN_RED, OUTPUT);pinMode(PIN_YELLOW, OUTPUT);pinMode(PIN_GREEN, OUTPUT);

  • Program to turn ON red light by using digitalWrite() function:

digitalWrite(PIN_RED, HIGH); // turn on REDdigitalWrite(PIN_YELLOW, LOW); //digitalWrite(PIN_GREEN, LOW);delay(RED_TIME); // keep red led on during a period of time

Arduino Code

/* * Created by ArduinoGetStarted.com * * This example code is in the public domain * * Tutorial page: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-traffic-light */#define PIN_RED 2 // The Arduino pin connected to R pin of traffic light module#define PIN_YELLOW 3 // The Arduino pin connected to Y pin of traffic light module#define PIN_GREEN 4 // The Arduino pin connected to G pin of traffic light module#define RED_TIME 4000 // RED time in millisecond#define YELLOW_TIME 4000 // YELLOW time in millisecond#define GREEN_TIME 4000 // GREEN time in millisecondvoid setup() { pinMode(PIN_RED, OUTPUT); pinMode(PIN_YELLOW, OUTPUT); pinMode(PIN_GREEN, OUTPUT);}// the loop function runs over and over again forevervoid loop() { // red light on digitalWrite(PIN_RED, HIGH); // turn on digitalWrite(PIN_YELLOW, LOW); // turn off digitalWrite(PIN_GREEN, LOW); // turn off delay(RED_TIME); // keep red light on during a period of time // yellow light on digitalWrite(PIN_RED, LOW); // turn off digitalWrite(PIN_YELLOW, HIGH); // turn on digitalWrite(PIN_GREEN, LOW); // turn off delay(YELLOW_TIME); // keep yellow light on during a period of time // green light on digitalWrite(PIN_RED, LOW); // turn off digitalWrite(PIN_YELLOW, LOW); // turn off digitalWrite(PIN_GREEN, HIGH); // turn on delay(GREEN_TIME); // keep green light on during a period of time}

Quick Steps

  • Copy the above code and open with Arduino IDE

  • Click Upload button on Arduino IDE to upload code to Arduino

  • Check out the traffic light module

Arduino - Traffic Light | Arduino Tutorial (4)

image source: diyables.io

It's important to note that the exact workings of a traffic light can vary depending on the specific design and technology used in different regions and intersections. The principles described above provide a general understanding of how traffic lights operate to manage traffic and enhance safety on the roads.

The code above demonstrates individual light control. Now, let's enhance the code for better optimization.

Arduino Code Optimization

  • Let's improve the code by implementing a function for light control.

/* * Created by ArduinoGetStarted.com * * This example code is in the public domain * * Tutorial page: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-traffic-light */#define PIN_RED 2 // The Arduino pin connected to R pin of traffic light module#define PIN_YELLOW 3 // The Arduino pin connected to Y pin of traffic light module#define PIN_GREEN 4 // The Arduino pin connected to G pin of traffic light module#define RED_TIME 2000 // RED time in millisecond#define YELLOW_TIME 1000 // YELLOW time in millisecond#define GREEN_TIME 2000 // GREEN time in millisecond#define RED 0 // Index in array#define YELLOW 1 // Index in array#define GREEN 2 // Index in arrayconst int pins[] = { PIN_RED, PIN_YELLOW, PIN_GREEN };const int times[] = { RED_TIME, YELLOW_TIME, GREEN_TIME };void setup() { pinMode(PIN_RED, OUTPUT); pinMode(PIN_YELLOW, OUTPUT); pinMode(PIN_GREEN, OUTPUT);}// the loop function runs over and over again forevervoid loop() { // red light on trafic_light_on(RED); delay(times[RED]); // keep red light on during a period of time // yellow light on trafic_light_on(YELLOW); delay(times[YELLOW]); // keep yellow light on during a period of time // green light on trafic_light_on(GREEN); delay(times[GREEN]); // keep green light on during a period of time}void trafic_light_on(int light) { for (int i = RED; i <= GREEN; i++) { if (i == light) digitalWrite(pins[i], HIGH); // turn on else digitalWrite(pins[i], LOW); // turn off }}

  • Let's improve the code by using a for loop.

/* * Created by ArduinoGetStarted.com * * This example code is in the public domain * * Tutorial page: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-traffic-light */#define PIN_RED 2 // The Arduino pin connected to R pin of traffic light module#define PIN_YELLOW 3 // The Arduino pin connected to Y pin of traffic light module#define PIN_GREEN 4 // The Arduino pin connected to G pin of traffic light module#define RED_TIME 2000 // RED time in millisecond#define YELLOW_TIME 1000 // YELLOW time in millisecond#define GREEN_TIME 2000 // GREEN time in millisecond#define RED 0 // Index in array#define YELLOW 1 // Index in array#define GREEN 2 // Index in arrayconst int pins[] = {PIN_RED, PIN_YELLOW, PIN_GREEN};const int times[] = {RED_TIME, YELLOW_TIME, GREEN_TIME};void setup() { pinMode(PIN_RED, OUTPUT); pinMode(PIN_YELLOW, OUTPUT); pinMode(PIN_GREEN, OUTPUT);}// the loop function runs over and over again forevervoid loop() { for (int light = RED; light <= GREEN; light ++) { trafic_light_on(light); delay(times[light]); // keep light on during a period of time }}void trafic_light_on(int light) { for (int i = RED; i <= GREEN; i ++) { if (i == light) digitalWrite(pins[i], HIGH); // turn on else digitalWrite(pins[i], LOW); // turn off }}

  • Let's improve the code by using millis() function intead of delay().

/* * Created by ArduinoGetStarted.com * * This example code is in the public domain * * Tutorial page: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-traffic-light */#define PIN_RED 2 // The Arduino pin connected to R pin of traffic light module#define PIN_YELLOW 3 // The Arduino pin connected to Y pin of traffic light module#define PIN_GREEN 4 // The Arduino pin connected to G pin of traffic light module#define RED_TIME 2000 // RED time in millisecond#define YELLOW_TIME 1000 // YELLOW time in millisecond#define GREEN_TIME 2000 // GREEN time in millisecond#define RED 0 // Index in array#define YELLOW 1 // Index in array#define GREEN 2 // Index in arrayconst int pins[] = { PIN_RED, PIN_YELLOW, PIN_GREEN };const int times[] = { RED_TIME, YELLOW_TIME, GREEN_TIME };unsigned long last_time = 0;int light = RED; // start with RED lightvoid setup() { pinMode(PIN_RED, OUTPUT); pinMode(PIN_YELLOW, OUTPUT); pinMode(PIN_GREEN, OUTPUT); trafic_light_on(light); last_time = millis();}// the loop function runs over and over again forevervoid loop() { if ((millis() - last_time) > times[light]) { light++; if (light >= 3) light = RED; // new circle trafic_light_on(light); last_time = millis(); } // TO DO: your other code}void trafic_light_on(int light) { for (int i = RED; i <= GREEN; i++) { if (i == light) digitalWrite(pins[i], HIGH); // turn on else digitalWrite(pins[i], LOW); // turn off }}

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Function References

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Arduino - Traffic Light | Arduino Tutorial (2024)

FAQs

How to make a traffic light circuit in Tinkercad? ›

Drag in two more LEDs, set one to be yellow and one to be green. Match the order of a traffic light by placing the yellow light below the red one, then the green light at the bottom. Like the red LED, we need to run part of our circuit through a resistor to prevent our LED from failing under too much current.

What is the algorithm used for traffic lights? ›

Traffic signal control algorithms of a traffic network are presented using a hierarchical control concept. The traffic congestion mechanism is described quantitatively based on the traffic volume balance at each signalized intersection.

How to make a traffic light system? ›

Traffic Light Project
  1. Step 1: Take All Components As Shown Below. ...
  2. Step 2: Fold Pins of Transistors Like This. ...
  3. Step 3: Connect Red LED to Transistor. ...
  4. Step 4: Connect Green LED to Transistor. ...
  5. Step 5: Connect Yellow LED to Transistor. ...
  6. Step 6: Connect Emmiter of Transistors. ...
  7. Step 7: Connect 1K Resistors.

How do AI traffic lights work? ›

The way it works is easily explained: AI in traffic lights uses sensors, cameras or other detection devices to gather information about the current traffic situation. This data may include the number and type of vehicles, the speed at which they are driving, their direction of travel and the traffic density.

Are traffic lights machine learning? ›

Among the smart traffic light methods, the methods based on machine learning are particularly important due to their simplicity and performance.

What is intelligent traffic light scheduling algorithm? ›

IIS simulates real-life traffic flow on an at- grade junction with different traffic light scheduling algorithms. We integrate a heuristic to our proposed algorithms that takes into account, not only the density of the junctions like traditional schemes, but also the waiting time of the vehicles.

What software do traffic lights use? ›

Design software

Traffic light systems are designed using software such as LINSIG, TRANSYT, CORSIM/TRANSYT-7F or VISSIM.

How do traffic lights get programmed? ›

Traffic signal timing is managed by a special computer called a traffic signal controller. This controller is programmed with the time needed for each signal phase (green and walk times) and clearance times (red, yellow, and don't walk times).

How are traffic lights activated? ›

The primary, reliable and most common traffic light sensors are induction loops. Induction loops are coils of wire that have been embedded in the surface of the road to detect changes in inductance, then conveying them to the sensor circuitry in order to produce signals.

How do you do the traffic light experiment? ›

Table Demo Procedure:
  • Add 30 mL water, 0.8 g KOH, and 1 g dextrose to a 50 mL tube, swirling the solution until everything has dissolved.
  • Add 2-3 drops of the I.C. indicator solution, swirling again to mix. The solution will initially turn green, but after a few moments it will become yellow.
Aug 15, 2020

What is Arduino traffic light simulator? ›

Arduino Traffic Light Circuit

It's a fairly simple setup with each pin controlling an LED. Pin 2 goes to the positive leg of the green LED. Pin 3 Goes to the positive leg of the yellow LED. Pin 4 goes to the positive leg of the red LED. Add a 100-ohm resistor to each of the negative LED legs and have it go to GND.

References

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