We have all driven through a busy parking garage searching for that magical green light signaling an open space. However, building smart parking garages in 2022 requires more than this technology.
For over a decade, technology has been at the forefront of smart parking garages. We have seen digital signage, cameras, sensors, and employed a variety of software types to gather data on vehicles, parking spaces, and human behavior.
This last element is precisely what we are discussing today: human behavior.
Parking trends and human interaction with vehicles is changing. Tesla and Uber are part of our vernacular. Certain new vehicles are being produced with hybrid-only options, including large and traditional gas guzzlers. This trend and the need for non-carbon-based fuel is going to require parking garages to evolve to accommodate more charging stations.
As such, we need to build smart parking garages with the future in mind. Retrofitting these will be much easier if we build conduits within the walls for this infrastructure and plan for these to be electrified and smart.
Moreover, what happens when cars and the intense need for traditional parking is a thing of the past? Will we have outdated parking monoliths sitting vacant in cities?
Many metros are seeing this trend as Covid pushed companies to allow virtual commuting. Can we use these structures for other uses? Can they be redeveloped into affordable housing or another needed use?
The main idea is to consider the future when investing in construction of a new garage. The type of vehicle you currently drive will not necessarily be the same as the one you use to navigate the city in the future. The gas-fed cars we drive today will eventually be replaced by electric vehicles, so cities need to consider the future as they invest in infrastructure.
Will we even drive to work in the future?
Let’s start thinking about all useful options for these investments, including elevation, design with flat floors for other uses, and electrification for all electric parking so we are not bringing out the wrecking balls in 20 years.
