Page 34 - TrafficInfraTech Magazine | Linking People Places & Progress

FOCUS
PARKING MANAGEMENT

Automated structures are more viable only in cities where land is
scarce and land costs are high. In addition, lack of regulations and
incentives for implementing code-required parking ratios in new
facilities has also affected the demand for more automated structures.

structure. The structural type is usually three systems. The first is a ‘Pallet – Type of land use and users
either all concrete or concrete shell with Based’ system which is used in several Generally, conventional parking
steel framing for the various floors. structures in Dubai. In this, a ‘pallet’ structures are suitable for all types of
Components of Automated is used to transport car to and from users. On the other hand, automated
Parking Structures its parking space. When entering the parking is suitable for facilities with
transfer cabin, the car is parked and constant throughput volumes such
Fully automatic parking structures positioned on a pallet and remains on
consists of the three main components. the pallet when stored in the garage. as residences, retail, hospitals, train
The first is the transfer cabin or gate stations etc. They are not recommended
which serves as the entry or exit area The second is a ‘Non-Pallet’ solution for uses with high peak hour volumes
for the cars. The cabin typically includes which is used in several structures in such as stadiums, theatres etc.
sensing devices and displays which Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This system utilizes Number of parking spaces
provides detailed parking instructions a device (known as robot or satellite or The number of spaces that can be
to the users. dolly) that can adjust to the length of the achieved is affected depending on
car’s wheelbase. The device drives under
The second component is the the car where the wheels are clamped whether the parking structure is stand-
automated storage and retrieval system. and then transports the car onto the alone or part of a larger building such as
This generally consists of lifts, movable horizontal movable platform. an office or residential tower.
platforms for horizontal transfer of In conventional parking structures,
vehicles and a device (typically known The third is the ‘Tower System’ which the floor area required per space
as robot or satellite or dolly) to lift the is used in several structures in Oman and is approximately 35 to 40 square
car from storage to movable platforms. Qatar. In this system, an elevator or series meters. The floor to floor height in
of elevators parks the car on either side
The third component is the control such structures is in the range of 3
systems consisting of a programmable on different levels in a tower structure. to 3.5 metres. Thus, the volume
logic controller (PLC) or machine Considerations in Selection occupied per parking space is 105 to
control system, the parking control of Parking Strategy 135 cubic metres.
system (PCS) and the human machine Several factors must be considered However, in automated parking
interface (HMI). before deciding on the type of parking structures the floor area required
Larger automated parking structures structure – conventional or automatic per space is only 22 to 28 square
that exist in GCC countries fall under – in a project. metres while the floor to floor

Pallet-based System Non-pallet Solution

34 December ’17 - January ’18 / TrafficInfraTech www.trafficinfratech-com-500653.hostingersite.com