Authors: K. Stalin, K. Sanjay, M. Karthikeyan, Umesh Nayak
Abstract: Unexpected vehicle breakdowns can leave drivers waiting beside a road while they search for a suitable mechanic, explain the fault, compare prices, and arrange help. These steps may be difficult when the driver is unfamiliar with the area or cannot judge which service provider is available. This paper proposes a Vehicle Breakdown Assistance System, a web and mobile application intended to connect vehicle owners with nearby mechanics through a structured, location-aware workflow. Customers can register, select a vehicle type and breakdown issue, share their GPS location, review service estimates, and approve a mechanic before a booking is confirmed. The system ranks eligible mechanics using distance, online availability, service capability, and request status. To reduce delays when a mechanic is unavailable, requests are sent in batches of three eligible mechanics; if all offers are rejected or expire, the server tries the next batch. The proposed technology stack uses Flutter and Dart for mobile applications, react for the administration portal, Node.js and Express.js for backend services, PostgreSQL for structured records, Google Maps Platform for routes and estimated travel time, Firebase Cloud Messaging for push notifications, and Socket.IO for live status updates where a persistent connection is suitable. The design also covers live location sharing, final billing, service history, ratings, and workshop or towing transfer when roadside repair is not possible. The paper describes the architecture, workflow, matching algorithm, expected behavior, limitations, and future extensions. Since the project is presented as a proposed design, no measured accuracy, response-time, or user-satisfaction results are claimed. The next step is implementation followed by controlled functional, usability, security, and field testing.
