Car parks are a huge problem all over the world, with people often complaining of sky-high rates, poor facilities, and worse, poor security. In New Zealand, car parks have been pinpointed as hotspots for theft and other car crimes, and everywhere else in the world, we see people campaigning for better, safer places to leave their cars.
Some countries have been leading the way, of course. Parking4less reveals that there is such a thing as the “Parking Oscars”, which aim to recognize some of the coolest car parks from all over the world. One of these car parks, of course, can be found in Japan.
Japan’s coolest automated parking systems
Japan has the distinction of having had some of the first Automated Rotary Parking Systems in the world. These car parks are engineering marvels, allowing multiple cars to be parked in a small area that would otherwise only fit two or three cars. Not only do they offer a much more practical use of space than traditional car parks, but they also make parking much easier, eliminating the need for driving around a crowded lot to try and find a parking space. These allow drivers to save on both fuel and time – two things that are increasingly important in Japan.
But these Automated Rotary Parking Systems aren’t just limited to cars. In Japan, engineers have also developed and put into place something called the Cycle Tree. Promoting bicycles as a more environmentally-friendly mode of transportation, the Japanese government has also implemented automated rotary parking for bicycles. “Our bicycle parking system is useful; just push a button when storing your bicycle, and apply a magnetic card when taking it out,” explains the JFE Engineering Corporation, which developed the Cycle Tree. “There are a variety of sensors and devices to ensure safety.”
These are just some of the many innovations you will see in Japan. The automated rotary parking systems are definitely a breath of fresh air, especially if you’re coming from a country where parking always leaves you drained.
