If you drive a car, you have to have somewhere to park it. Whether you work in a large city or a small rural area, there are usually different options you have to choose from when you park your vehicle. There are covered and uncovered lots, as well as large, technologically advanced multi-storey garages. As more and more people are becoming environmentally-friendly and simply opting for different types of transportation, parking garages exclusively for bicycles are becoming more popular as well. We’ve created a guide with everything you could possibly need to know about different types of parking lots.
Uncovered lots are pretty common; they’re easily constructed and can hold a multitude of vehicles including cars, motorcycles, SUVs, vans, and buses. There’s no covering, so there are no height restrictions or size limits, though many lots, such as Winner Airport Parking in Pennsylvania, do feature “economy sized vehicle” parking spots in order to make space for as many cars as possible. Vehicles are directly exposed to sun, rain, snow, and every other type of weather, so damage from the elements is possible.
Covered lots are similar to uncovered lots, they simply have a protective covering over the spots. These types of lots tend to have more limitations for height and size of vehicles. They provide more coverage and protection from sun and rain, but still have open sides all around, so vehicles aren’t completely safe from the elements. Adding solar panels to the roofs of covered parking lots is becoming a more popular concept in sunny places, as they would provide large, open areas with great sun exposure.
Lots designed specifically for bikes are becoming more popular as people opt for cheaper transportation options. They’re also more environmentally friendly and promote healthy lifestyles for users. Many lots include features such as bike racks and locks. There are also manned and unmanned parking lots available for bike riders. Automated lots are becoming more popular as well, and innovations in security are becoming more advanced to ensure bicycles are secure while their owners are away. There are underground bicycle garages in both Spain and Tokyo that are fully automated and provide riders with a safe way to store their bikes. They no longer have to worry about thieves or weather damaging their property.
As the population continues to rise rapidly, the number of vehicles owned around the world has increased to more than one billion. These cars all need to be parked somewhere, and while regular lots can be found all around the world, the demand for multi-storey parking lots has risen exponentially. The first lot of this kind was built in 1918 for the Hotel La Salle in Chicago, Illinois. It remained standing as a landmark until 2005 even after the hotel was demolished, but had to be torn down. A 49-story apartment building now stands in its place, called 215 West, featuring it’s own heated, covered parking garage for residents. Though it’s changed, this location has paved the way for more parking garages that feature multiple tiers in order to store as many vehicles as possible in a smaller area.
Garages like these typically feature interior ramps, which allow drivers to travel to the top floor of the parking facility while remaining under a cover the entire time, with access to each floor along the way. Some also include exterior ramps, which are less common. There are also automated, mechanical lifts, where cars are parked onto a platform, then lifted to a designated spot in a sort of elevator. Lifts are the least common, as they’re the most expensive, but many garages around the world are beginning to feature them considering that they make parking much more user friendly. Having automated lifts allow drivers to simply enter the garage, and leave their cars either with attendants who control the lifts, or to utilize computer systems. It eliminates the need to search for a parking space and delivers vehicles directly to secure parking spots. The largest of this type of parking facility are the Emirates Financial Towers in Dubai, which are capable of housing 1,191 cars on 9 floors. It features of a parking bay where cars are dropped off, and delivered once again when you’re ready to leave.
Slightly less advanced are parking garages with high tech features. Many garages are making use of computer systems, large screens, and lights to assist drivers with finding spots and locating their cars should they forget where they’ve parked them. Even popular theme parks, like Disney World in Orlando, Florida are making use of these helpful attributes. Park goers are able to view large monitors upon entering the park’s garages that indicate where there are open spaces, which helps to cut down parking time and gets guests into the parks more quickly and efficiently. Each spot has a sensor that automatically updates the information on the monitors as soon as a vehicle is parked in it. Garages around the country and the world are implementing these sensors and monitor displays, and many even provide stations where you can search for your car. Simply enter some of the letters and numbers of your license plate and images taken by security cameras can help you to locate your car in a matter of moments, which is both safer than wandering around a parking garage, as well as extremely time efficient for both you and other drivers in need of empty spaces.