Every city faces the problem of insufficient parking spaces. With rapid urbanization and an increasing number of vehicles on the roads, finding an efficient parking solution is a priority for urban planners and engineers.
While traditional parking lots and garages serve their purpose, some cities have gone above and beyond to tackle their parking woes creatively. Here are five of the strangest parking solutions in the world.
Vertical Carousels
Imagine a giant Ferris wheel but for cars. This is essentially what a vertical car carousel looks like! Instead of spreading horizontally, these automated parking systems utilize vertical space. Drivers park their cars on a platform, exit the vehicle, then the system lifts the cars into an available slot.
This parking method is space-efficient and minimizes the time drivers spend searching for a spot. The vertical car carousel system in Tokyo, Japan exemplifies how innovative thinking can address urban space challenges.
Robotic Valet Parking
Automation is becoming more prevalent, and robotic valet parking offers a glimpse into the future. These systems use automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to transport cars to and from parking spaces without human intervention. For instance, Düsseldorf Airport has such a system, where travelers can drop off their cars and AGVs park them.
With this mechanized parking system, you keep your car safe by parking it in an area inaccessible to the public. This system can also optimize space usage, allowing robots to park cars closer together than human drivers can.
Puzzle Parking Systems
Another strange parking system is inspired by the game of sliding puzzles. In these systems, drivers park their cars on a platform and exit the vehicle. Then, the system lifts the cars into an available slot. The platforms move horizontally and vertically.
When a driver needs to pick up their vehicle, the platforms rearrange themselves to bring the vehicle to the exit. The automated parking system at the Volkswagen Autostadt in Germany manages vehicle storage and retrieval in a compact space. Puzzle parking systems are especially beneficial in crowded urban areas.
Rotating Parking Towers
Rotating parking towers are other vertical solutions that maximize space efficiency. In these structures, stacks of parked cars rotate to bring the required car to ground level. This mechanized parking system is not only efficient but also looks great. It brings a modern touch to urban environments while addressing parking issues. For example, the Smart Parking System at the Dokk1 library in Aarhus, Denmark is a real-life implementation that has successfully optimized parking spaces. Rotating parking towers are becoming more popular in cities with limited space and parking spaces.
Subterranean Parking Systems
Taking parking underground is another innovative approach to solving space constraints. Subterranean parking systems use hydraulic lifts to lower cars into underground compartments. City planners can use the surface area for other purposes, such as creating pedestrian walkways or green spaces.
Such parking systems would be particularly beneficial in New York City, as there is limited land but a high need for parking spaces. They also help to reduce the heat island effect by minimizing the surface area covered by cars.
Parking solutions continue to evolve as cities grow and technology advances. These innovative approaches maximize space and offer increased efficiency and security. Whether through a mechanized parking system or robotic valets, the future of parking looks promising and incredibly creative.