What is Automatic Car Parking System and How Does It Work?

Due to the increasing population and need for more industries, the shortage of spaces has been a rising concern. The automatic car parking system is one of the most inspiring innovations to tackle such an issue. 

The articles covers almost every aspect related to automated parking systems and more. Keep scrolling to explore more about this technological wonder.

Automatic parking systems are vertical stacking structures implemented to optimise space utilisation. These innovative designs facilitate the transportation of vehicles from the entrance to their designated parking spots without needing a driver. 

The automated parking system incorporates conveyance devices, software technology, and a user-friendly mobile app to ensure an exceptional user experience. This system comprises a range of electro-mechanical infrastructure and computer-controlled robots. 

According to New Atlas, an APS was initially implemented in Paris, France, in 1905. Known as the "Garage Rue de Ponthieu," the system featured elevators that autonomously transported vehicles to the upper deck. There, an attendant drove the vehicle to an available parking spot.

The advancement of automatic parking continued in the 1920s with the adoption of a Ferris-wheel-inspired design, which proved to be an efficient solution for parking in confined spaces. This French innovation, "paternoster," could accommodate up to eight cars in each compartment. The system optimised parking capacity while minimising spatial requirements.

In the 1950s, Washington D.C. witnessed the establishment of the first parking garage that was completely driverless. Here, mechanical operations facilitated the movement of cars. 

As stated by Copybook, throughout the 20th century, automatic parking systems gained increasing popularity as they offered viable solutions to congested cities facing high parking demands. Nowadays, APS installations are more common in Central America, Europe, and Asia, compared to North America.

Automated parking system comes in various types. Check out the different types of APS below:

1. Shuttle Parking System

The shuttle features a pallet exchanger, commonly known as a conveyor belt, which facilitates the movement of vehicles between the shuttle and the assigned parking space during parking or retrieval operations. 

These shuttle systems vary in size, ranging from single-level to multi-level configurations, and can accommodate larger parking capacities. It is important to note that this parking system is specifically suitable for basement and outdoor parking arrangements.

2. Puzzle Parking System

Puzzle Parking is a semi-automated system that incorporates combination pallets to facilitate horizontal and vertical movement of parking spaces, resembling a puzzle-like arrangement for parking and retrieving vehicles. 

In this system, a vehicle enters the parking bay located on the ground floor and is transferred to an elevated level using a Car Pickup Pallet. A lift carries the vehicle to the desired floor for parking.

3. Rotary Parking System

The rotary parking system is purpose-built to maximise car storage within the horizontal space equivalent to two standard parking spots. This innovative structure can accommodate six cars, effectively utilising the space typically occupied by just two vehicles. 

In this parking system, vehicles initially enter the parking bay on the ground floor. Subsequently, all the cars rotate clockwise, ensuring an empty parking bay becomes accessible on the ground floor. This rotation mechanism facilitates efficient utilisation of the available space while providing convenient access to parked cars.

4. Stacker Parking System

The stacker parking system employs a specialised moving device called a "stacker" to park and retrieve vehicles. The system incorporates a robotic mechanism that efficiently pulls and pushes vehicles to and from the lift or designated parking bay. 

The stacker parking system significantly reduces the time required for car entry and retrieval processes by enabling simultaneous movement in both vertical and horizontal directions.

5. Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Parking SystemAutomated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Parking System

The AGV Parking System is ideal for installation within an enclosed parking vault, utilising multiple levels positioned above, on, and below the ground to optimise parking efficiency. 

AGVs can traverse both lengthwise and sideways along predetermined paths and possess the capability to rotate in place. Vehicles are parked on platforms within transfer cabins, which are then collected by AGVs. The AGVs manoeuvre beneath the vehicle platforms, lift and transport them from the transfer cabins to their designated locations within the system.

6. Rail-Guided Parking System

The Rail Guided Parking System or Rail Guided Car works in quite a similar manner to that of an Automated Guided Vehicle. However, the working of the RGC is simpler than AGV. 

The driver parks the vehicle on the pallets within the parking module. Then RGC collects them from the parking module driving beneath the vehicle pallet. It then lifts it to move it out of the parking module into the system. 

RGCs can work in confined spaces easily as they can move sideways, forward and backward. 

7. Crane Parking System

Crane Parking Systems works on multi-level systems and uses a separate lift to transfer vehicles. It utilises a single mechanism to perform horizontal and vertical movements simultaneously. It has a vertically placed elevator platform where vehicles to be parked or retrieved are placed.

8. Silo Parking System

Silo parking systems are cylindrical and utilise a centrally positioned mechanism to park or retrieve cars. The cylinder's core is occupied by a lifting or rotating mechanism that only positions the vehicle one at a time. Cars are parked at the system's core, and the mechanism allows axial positioning and simultaneous up-and-down movement of vehicles. 

These systems are ideal for building underground where soil conditions are not favourable. 

9. Tower Parking System

The tower parking system includes a vehicle elevator. There is a parking space on either side of the elevator shaft. The same format is repeated over multiple levels. A central unit moves vertically in this system to park and retrieve the cars. 

The system has a rotary mechanism that can rotate the shaft 180 degrees to drive the vehicle forward. The greatest advantage of this system is that one can build it inside an existing building, and it won't cause vibration or noise.

Check out the differences between a fully-automated APS and Semi-automated APS: 

• The primary difference between fully automated and semi-automated parking systems is that the former does not require a parking attendant or human intervention to direct or move cars into the system. 

• On the other hand, a semi-automated parking system or a mechanical parking system will need a parking attendant to transport the car into the machine. It may also require assistance in parking the car once it arrives at a parking space. 

• Also, a fully automated parking system usually can accommodate 100 cars or more, whereas a semi-automated parking space can accommodate less than 100 vehicles.

Take a look at some of the benefits of an automatic car parking system: 

• The primary advantage of APS is that it saves space. This helps accommodate more cars closer to each other as no one has to get out of a vehicle. 

• APS offer limited access to car owners and other pedestrians. It offers better security and safety. 

• In an APS, there is no need for an elevator, stairwells and large parking areas as there is no need for human intervention. This limits the time, money, and resources a construction company would require to create a fully operational parking area with all the needed features. 

• APS can also help in reducing harmful emissions. In normal parking areas, the car enters and searches for an empty parking spot. In an APS, the machinery moves the car from the parking space to an open spot, and the car stays turned off throughout the process.

• APS' are extremely beneficial for disabled individuals as they can just leave the car on the ground and not have to navigate steep declines, inclines or stairwells. 

There are several advantages of an automatic parking system. However, there are also a few downsides to APS. These are: 

• Like any other mechanism, an APS can also face malfunction, trapping vehicles and limiting owners' access to their cars. Also, there are chances of technical malfunctions that can damage the cars. 

• A fully automated parking system may lack parking staff. Due to the absence of assistance, inexperienced car owners might not understand how the system works. This, in turn, can create a negative user experience. 

• Some types of parking systems which cannot deal with more than one car at a time can create a fuss with high-volume customers. 

Automated parking systems are likely to be highly secure regarding record-keeping and payment collection systems. As the information is stored in the cloud with high security and encrypted in the head of the transaction, there is almost zero to minimal risk of information getting breached. 

Regarding manual or credit transactions, car owners' information is at higher risk. On the other hand, the provider manages almost 100% of the security protocol. The main task of this provider is to check card readers for skimmers and other fraudulent activities regularly. 

An automatic car parking system works entirely differently than the conventional one. Fully automated ones require zero human intervention, less time and limited harmful particle emissions. The retrieval process also does not require the driver to enter the garage. They can request their vehicle using a kiosk or a mobile app and wait for their vehicle and retrieve them.