Solar Powered Water Level Indicator Prototype with LCD and SMS Receiver

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

One of the greatest difficulties that a commuter can experience is having his or her transportation time being delayed due to bad weather. With this, the researcher has sought to make a prototype that will make people aware about the level of difficulty passing certain roads, especially when it is heavily raining or flood-prone, make a system that will be able to inform the people about the road status via mobile phones, and to determine the status of accessibility of roads and bridges that arein a certain area.

METHODS

Using the quasi-experimental research design, the study was done on barangays located at Maragondon, Cavite, where the people often have difficulties in traveling during bad weather. The construction of the prototype and programming of the system took five months, and another month for the surveying of the respondents. The said respondents were barangay captains, students, barangay residents, and motorists. Their perceptions were analyzed through the usage of a survey questionnaire and utilized the Likert scale based upon the prototype's operability, cost, novelty, ease of use, and general acceptability.

RESULTS

Based on the respondents' perceptions, the prototype was mainly more effective than its predecessor, which only had a remote receiver in most aspects, aside from the general acceptability, which stayed the same. In addition, the respondents have also perceived that this prototype, if ever mass-produced, would be a great help to them in keeping themselves safe and lessen the risks encountered when foul weather strikes.

DISCUSSIONS

With these results, it can be determined that the device will be able to serve its purpose as an automatic indicator of the status of accessibility and intensity of the weather, which will keep the possible respondents safe, per the assessment of the respondents. This will help them to be aware of the road situation in bad weather, and provide invaluable operation for the local government to be able to avoid casualties and untoward incidents in the area.