An Environmentally Friendly Car Park
February 18th 2009 01:06
In addition to priority hybrid vehicle parking spaces, a new parking guidance system, Park Assist has been installed at the Westfield car park.
Each parking space has a sensor that detects vehicles and relays the data to displays around the car park, and also to a light above the space itself. The light is green when the space is empty and turns red when occupied. Priority car spaces for the disabled are marked by blue lights and purple for drivers parking with prams.
The clearly visible lights and signs allow customers to find spaces quicker and leave them with more time to shop and less time in their vehicles.
Empty spaces are located at a glance
According to an article by Jan Fambro, “the system reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 56 percent due to fewer cars idling while waiting or searching for spaces. The system is energy efficient and employs low voltage LED lights to reduce power consumption.”
Red = Occupied; Green = Empty
Disabled Parking
Parking with Prams
Further, “a study* conducted by an independent consultant at Westfield Chatswood in Australia found the system allows 100 percent utilization of the parking garage, as opposed to the industry standard of 92 percent or less when drivers are unable to find the remaining few spaces.”
A system which reduces the time drivers spend behind the wheel is certainly a step in the right direction.
* I wonder how this study was carried out. Correct me if I am mistaken, but I recall the system was still in the process of being installed when I was in the car park a few days after Fambro’s article was published.
(Post updated 23 June 2009)
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