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ESP32 - Traffic Light
In this tutorial, we will explore how to utilize the ESP32 to control a traffic light module. In detail, we will learn:
- How to connect the traffic light module to ESP32
- How to program ESP32 to control RGB traffic light module
- How to program ESP32 to control RGB traffic light module without using delay() function
Hardware Used In This Tutorial
| 1 | × | ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module | |
| 1 | × | USB Cable Type-C | |
| 1 | × | Traffic Light Module | |
| 1 | × | Jumper Wires | |
| 1 | × | (Recommended) Screw Terminal Expansion Board for ESP32 | |
| 1 | × | (Recommended) Power Splitter For ESP32 |
Or you can buy the following sensor kits:
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays) | |
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays) |
Disclosure: Some of the links in this section are Amazon affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through them. Additionally, some links direct you to products from our own brand, DIYables.
Introduction to Traffic Light Module
Pinout
A traffic light module includes 4 pins:
- GND pin: The ground pin, connect this pin to GND of ESP32.
- R pin: The pin to control the red light, connect this pin to a digital output of ESP32.
- Y pin: The pin to control the yellow light, connect this pin to a digital output of ESP32.
- G pin: The pin to control the green light, connect this pin to a digital output of ESP32.
How It Works
Wiring Diagram
- How to connect ESP32 and traffic light using breadboard
This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image
- How to connect ESP32 and traffic light using screw terminal block breakout board
If you're unfamiliar with how to supply power to the ESP32 and other components, you can find guidance in the following tutorial: How to Power ESP32.
How To Program For Traffic Light module
- Configure an ESP32'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 RED
digitalWrite(PIN_YELLOW, LOW); //
digitalWrite(PIN_GREEN, LOW);
delay(RED_TIME); // keep red led on during a period of time
ESP32 Code
/*
* This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com
*
* This ESP32 code is released in the public domain
*
* For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-traffic-light
*/
#define PIN_RED 25 // The ESP32 pin GPIO25 connected to R pin of traffic light module
#define PIN_YELLOW 26 // The ESP32 pin GPIO26 connected to Y pin of traffic light module
#define PIN_GREEN 27 // The ESP32 pin GPIO27 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 millisecond
void setup() {
pinMode(PIN_RED, OUTPUT);
pinMode(PIN_YELLOW, OUTPUT);
pinMode(PIN_GREEN, OUTPUT);
}
// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void 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 Instructions
- If this is the first time you use ESP32, see how to setup environment for ESP32 on Arduino IDE.
- Do the wiring as above image.
- Connect the ESP32 board to your PC via a micro USB cable
- Open Arduino IDE on your PC.
- Select the right ESP32 board (e.g. ESP32 Dev Module) and COM port.
- Copy the above code and open with Arduino IDE
- Click Upload button on Arduino IDE to upload code to ESP32
- Check out the traffic light module
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.
ESP32 Code Optimization
- Let's improve the code by implementing a function for light control.
/*
* This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com
*
* This ESP32 code is released in the public domain
*
* For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-traffic-light
*/
#define PIN_RED 25 // The ESP32 pin GPIO25 connected to R pin of traffic light module
#define PIN_YELLOW 26 // The ESP32 pin GPIO26 connected to Y pin of traffic light module
#define PIN_GREEN 27 // The ESP32 pin GPIO27 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 array
const 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 forever
void 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.
/*
* This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com
*
* This ESP32 code is released in the public domain
*
* For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-traffic-light
*/
#define PIN_RED 25 // The ESP32 pin GPIO25 connected to R pin of traffic light module
#define PIN_YELLOW 26 // The ESP32 pin GPIO26 connected to Y pin of traffic light module
#define PIN_GREEN 27 // The ESP32 pin GPIO27 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 array
const 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 forever
void 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().
/*
* This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com
*
* This ESP32 code is released in the public domain
*
* For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-traffic-light
*/
#define PIN_RED 25 // The ESP32 pin GPIO25 connected to R pin of traffic light module
#define PIN_YELLOW 26 // The ESP32 pin GPIO26 connected to Y pin of traffic light module
#define PIN_GREEN 27 // The ESP32 pin GPIO27 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 array
const 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 light
void 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 forever
void 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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