Welcome to the archived messages from In The 00s. This archive stretches back to 1998 in some instances, and contains a nearly complete record of all the messages posted to inthe00s.com. You will also find an archive of the messages from inthe70s.com, inthe80s.com, inthe90s.com and amiright.com before they were combined to form the inthe00s.com messageboard.
If you are looking for the active messages, please click here. Otherwise, use the links below or on the right hand side of the page to navigate the archives.
Subject: New Automated Parking Garages
has anyone seen these, or used them?
I was watching WGN News today and they did a story of a new parking garage in New Jersey that is 100% automated.
Basically, you drive up to a bay door, swipe your card, and drive into the elevator. Then you get out of your car and the garage does the rest. Once you leave the elevator, the door closes and lifts your car to its appropriate parking spot. It uses a system of elevators and conveyors to place cars into open spots. Then when you come back to retrieve your car, you again swipe your card, and the screen tells you which bay to go to, and your car will be there waiting on you. The garage holds 30% more cars than a regualr garage due to the absence of ramps. The entire process can me ran by one person maneuvering cars in and out of spaces via a computer.
I know I didn't do a good job describing it, but the report on TV was quite amazing.
Here's a web-site better describing the system:http://www.robopark.com/current_news.htm
Subject: Re: New Automated Parking Garages
I saw a stack/conveyor parking system in New York City while visiting my friend. When it was time to leave, the parking guy would dispense the car like a Pez :D
Subject: Re: New Automated Parking Garages
Bad idea, 80s Rocked. :( Who would be responsible when the "elevator" crashes your car into a wall?
Subject: Re: New Automated Parking Garages
Quoting:
Bad idea, 80s Rocked. :( Who would be responsible when the "elevator" crashes your car into a wall?
End Quote
I'm not sure what you mean. I don't see how it is possible. An article I read said the conveyors and lifts have sensors on all sides to prohibit any collisions and to prevent multiple lifts from operating in the same "spot" simultaneously. Also, based on the way the car is parked on the platform/elevator/lift, there isn't any way it could just crash into a wall.
Subject: Re: New Automated Parking Garages
No machine is foolproof not even those with sensors. At least with valet parking or self-parking there is someone close by who bears some kind of responsibility.
BTW, 80s rocked, what is keeping the car from falling out of the elevator? The brakes? Are there automatic doors to block them?
Subject: Re: New Automated Parking Garages
Quoting:
BTW, 80s rocked, what is keeping the car from falling out of the elevator? The brakes? Are there automatic doors to block them?
End Quote
I guess you just need to see the report on TV. Its hard to explain I guess. And regarding the responsibility/liability issue, one website I read gave the insurance coverages that the garages have to carry, it was in the millions of $$$. So the garage does bear some liabaility to cover the damage done to cars. I would definitley use this garage if I had access to one. Everyone they interviewed said that they loved using it.
I don't know, I guess its hard to try to describe exactly all the details without some visuals.
Subject: Re: New Automated Parking Garages
It sounds pretty amazing, I would think it would cost a few $, I worked in a few industrial areas and the cost of hydrualics and motors to run that stuff isn't small. But if you can keep it full and don't have to hire the attendants it may pay for itself over a few years. I imagine that places like New York where real estate is at a premium would be where they would be seen.
Subject: Re: New Automated Parking Garages
This sounds great, as I really hate using parking garages today!!! :)
Subject: Re: New Automated Parking Garages
I'm more concerned about 2 or more cars being swiped together. We don't all drive little subcompacts, to boot. (The cars that have special privileges, you know, complete w/reserved spots.) They'd better not swipe my car into another. I'd hope there's no loopholes, at least, in holding garage culpable for hurting the cars.
Subject: Re: New Automated Parking Garages
I just thought of something else, this will be better recieved by female drivers.
I've been working downtown and the building has an old unerground garage and quite a few of the women that work there (especailly nights) refuse to use it and prefer to park on the street (where there car is much more vunerable) because parking garages make them uncomforatble, I think to many tv and movie assualt/rape scenes in garages is the culprit. My wife has also said she hates being in garges alone as well.