🔧 Roadside Hero - Emergency Roadside Assistance App

Overview

Roadside Hero is a comprehensive emergency roadside assistance application that connects users with nearby service providers for towing, flat tire repair, battery jump start, fuel delivery, and lockout services.

Features ✨

User Features

• 🔐 User Authentication (Login/Register)
• 📍 Live Location Tracking
• 🚗 Service Request Forms
  • Towing (10-15 mins)
  • Flat Tire Repair (8 mins)
  • Battery Jump Start (5-10 mins)
  • Fuel Delivery (10-20 mins)
  • Lockout Service (15-20 mins)
• 📍 Real-time Request Tracking
• 👨‍💼 Nearby Providers Discovery
• ⭐ Provider Ratings & Reviews
• 📋 Request History
• 👤 User Profile Management

Provider Features (Ready for expansion)

• Provider Dashboard
• Status Management
• Request Acceptance System
• Real-time Tracking Updates

Tech Stack

• Backend: PHP 7.4+
• Database: MySQL
• Frontend: HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap 5.3
• Icons: Bootstrap Icons
• Server: XAMPP (Apache + MySQL)

Installation & Setup

Prerequisites

• XAMPP installed and running
• MySQL running on localhost
• PHP 7.4 or higher

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Extract the project to XAMPP

   C:\xampp\htdocs\roadside_hero\
   

2. Create the Database

   • Open phpMyAdmin: http://localhost/phpmyadmin
   • Import setup.sql file:
     • Create a new database named roadside_hero
     • Go to Import tab
     • Select setup.sql and click Import

   OR run via MySQL command line:

   mysql -u root -p < setup.sql

3. Access the Application

   • Open browser and go to: http://localhost/roadside_hero
   • You'll be redirected to login page
   • Click "Sign Up" to create an account

Test Credentials

Sample User: (Create your own via signup)

• Email: user@demo.com
• Password: password123

Sample Providers (in database):

• Joe's Auto Repair
• Rapid Towing Co.
• Quick Fix Services

File Structure

roadside_hero/
├── index.php                 # Redirect to login/dashboard
├── login.php                 # User login page
├── register.php              # User registration
├── config.php                # Database config & session management
├── dashboard.php             # Main dashboard (after login)
├── request_service.php       # Service request form
├── tracking_request.php      # Real-time request tracking
├── my_requests.php           # User request history
├── profile.php               # User profile & settings
├── providers.php             # Browse nearby providers
├── logout.php                # Logout & session destroy
├── db_connect.php            # Deprecated (use config.php)
├── setup.sql                 # Database schema & sample data
└── README.md                 # This file

Database Schema

Users Table

• id, fullname, email, password_hash, phone, latitude, longitude, location_name, created_at

Service Requests Table

• id, user_id, service_id, provider_id, vehicle_type, problem_description, photo_url, current_latitude, current_longitude, location_address, status, estimated_arrival, created_at, updated_at

Providers Table

• id, business_name, service_type, email, password_hash, phone, latitude, longitude, rating, reviews, status, created_at

Services Table

• id, service_name, service_icon, estimated_time

Request Tracking Table

• id, request_id, provider_latitude, provider_longitude, status_message, created_at

Usage Guide

For Users:

1. Register/Login

   • Create account with email and password
   • Login to access dashboard

2. Request Service

   • Click service button on dashboard (Towing, Flat Tire, etc.)
   • Fill in vehicle problem description
   • Select vehicle type (Sedan, SUV, Motorcycle)
   • Optionally upload issue photo
   • Submit request

3. Track Request

   • View real-time location of provider
   • See ETA and distance
   • Call provider directly
   • View request details

4. View History

   • Click "My Requests" to see all past requests
   • View request status and details
   • Click to track completed requests

5. Browse Providers

   • Click "See All" on dashboard or go to providers page
   • View provider ratings and reviews
   • Filter by service type
   • Call or book directly

For Developers:

Adding New Services

Edit setup.sql to add more services:

INSERT INTO services (service_name, service_icon, estimated_time) VALUES
('Your Service', 'icon-name', 'X-Y MIN');

Adding New Providers

INSERT INTO providers (business_name, service_type, email, password_hash, phone, latitude, longitude, rating, reviews, status) VALUES
('Provider Name', 'Service Type', 'email@provider.com', '$2y$10$hash', 'phone', lat, long, rating, reviews, 'available');

Session Management

All protected pages use requireLogin() function:

<?php
include 'config.php';
requireLogin();  // Redirects to login if not logged in
$user = getCurrentUser($conn);
?>

Security Features

✅ Password Hashing (PASSWORD_DEFAULT) ✅ Prepared Statements (SQL Injection Prevention) ✅ Session Management ✅ Input Validation ✅ CORS-ready headers

Future Enhancements

• 🗺️ Real Google Maps Integration
• 💳 Payment Gateway Integration
• 📱 Mobile App Version
• 👮 Provider Authentication System
• ⭐ Review/Rating System
• 🔔 Push Notifications
• 💬 In-app Chat
• 📊 Analytics Dashboard
• 🤖 AI-based Provider Matching
• 📸 Photo Upload to Cloud Storage

Troubleshooting

Database Connection Error

• Ensure MySQL is running
• Check database credentials in config.php
• Verify database roadside_hero exists

Login Not Working

• Clear browser cookies
• Check email and password
• Ensure user was registered successfully

Services Not Showing

• Run setup.sql to populate sample data
• Check services table in database

Map Not Displaying

• Placeholder maps are used for demo
• Will need Google Maps API key for production

API Endpoints (Ready for expansion)

• POST /api/register - User registration
• POST /api/login - User login
• POST /api/request-service - Submit service request
• GET /api/tracking/{id} - Get request tracking data
• GET /api/providers - Get nearby providers

Performance Considerations

• Database indexes on frequently queried fields
• Session-based caching for user data
• Prepared statements for query efficiency
• Auto-refresh on tracking page (5 seconds)

Support & Contact

For issues or questions, please contact:

• Email: support@roadsidehero.com
• Help Page: Built-in help section in profile

License

Copyright © 2026 Roadside Hero. All rights reserved.

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Developed with ❤️ for safe and efficient emergency roadside assistance

🚗 Emergency Roadside Assistance - Available 24/7