Car Park Barrier System flowchart activity
Teach access-control algorithms with incoming and outgoing vehicles, payment checks, traffic lights, barriers and spaces-left variables.
Concepts taught
This model helps students practise sequence, selection, conditionals, branching, iteration, repetition, loops, variables, inputs and outputs in a concrete classroom scenario.
Suggested age or phase
Secondary/high school and GCSE variables, selection and iteration practice.
Learning objectives
- Identify the physical inputs and outputs in the system.
- Build a flowchart that uses decisions and repeated checks.
- Trace what happens when conditions change.
- Explain how the algorithm could be converted into pseudocode or code.
Example tasks
Task 1: Incoming vehicle check
Students build and run a flowchart that applies sequence, decisions and repeated checks in the Car Park Barrier System model.
Task 2: Payment before barrier lift
Students build and run a flowchart that applies sequence, decisions and repeated checks in the Car Park Barrier System model.
Task 3: Spaces available sign
Students build and run a flowchart that applies sequence, decisions and repeated checks in the Car Park Barrier System model.
Task 4: Outgoing vehicle sequence
Students build and run a flowchart that applies sequence, decisions and repeated checks in the Car Park Barrier System model.
Task 5: SpacesLeft variable tracking
Students build and run a flowchart that applies sequence, decisions and repeated checks in the Car Park Barrier System model.
Common misconceptions
- Raising the barrier before payment is complete.
- Subtracting a space when a car leaves instead of adding one.
- Not resetting physical inputs after the vehicle has moved through.
Curriculum connections
Useful for England computing lessons on sequence, selection and repetition; Australian curriculum language such as branching and iteration; and US K-12 computer science vocabulary including loops, conditionals, algorithms and flowcharts.
Teachers can use the activity as a starter, live demonstration, independent task, intervention activity or assessment checkpoint.
Free activity and licence
The free Zebra Crossing flowchart gives students a quick way to try Flow-Logic. A school licence unlocks the full model library, teacher panel, solution passwords and classroom tasks.