Table of contents
Parking space is scarce – even the capacity of parking garages is no longer sufficient, especially in urban areas. New concepts should help. Fully automated parking systems are an innovative approach to this.
Functionality
The idea: Stack several cars in a parking lot. The vehicle is placed on a movable platform for this purpose. Moving units or lifting cranes then move the car to a free position. In most cases, the parking spaces can be moved both vertically and horizontally. The vehicle owner receives a receipt with which he can pick up his car later.
History
The idea is not new. The first “parking paternoster”, a forerunner of modern fully automated parking systems, was built in Chicago in 1937 and was designed for a maximum of 22 cars.
Benefits
The biggest advantage is the efficient use of space. If fully automated parking systems are included in the planning of large construction projects from the outset, parking space savings of up to 60 % can be achieved. This is not only due to the efficient use of the parking space, but also because the entrances and exits, wide parking spaces for people with disabilities and other aspects are completely eliminated. As no people are involved in the parking process with fully automated parking systems, there are also no costs for lighting and air conditioning.
The ecological balance is also positive, as fewer exhaust gases are produced. According to one calculation, up to 35% less CO₂ and 44% less benzene are generated with 780 parking spaces.
Psychologically, fully automated parking systems have the advantage that the vehicle owner does not have to enter the parking environment – the often dark surroundings trigger fear in some people.
Disadvantages
The automatic transportation of the parked vehicle takes time. The next vehicle can only be sorted in when the conveyor carriage has finished its work on the previous vehicle. The same effect also applies, of course, when a vehicle is collected again. Although designs with several conveyor systems are possible, this increases the cost of the system. Control logistics also become significantly more complex with two or more transfer systems.
You are welcome to contact us HERE for more information!
