Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION: What is the height of the levels in the Robotic Parking System?

ANSWER: The Robotic Parking System differentiates between sedan vehicles and SUV’s, and each vehicle category will be stored in different levels. Therefore, there are two different heights of levels – 2159 mm to accommodate sedan cars and 2692 mm to accommodate SUV’s. These are “floor to floor” heights. The total number of levels can add up to 20 or more in specific cases. For a more detailed description of the modules and their sizing, take a look at the Robotic Parking Systems BIM (Building Information Management. Learn more

QUESTION: How long does it take to build the Robotic Parking System?

ANSWER: The time it takes to build a Robotic Parking System depends on the size of the project, but it can take between 10 to 14 months on average.

QUESTION: How long do drivers need to wait to receive their car?

ANSWER: The time it takes drivers to retrieve their car depends upon where the car is parked inside the system; however, the minimum time needed is 1 minute, and the maximum time is 3 minutes. But, this is not even an important point. Much more important is the peak traffic capacity of the system. This means how many cars can be processed in a given time frame, let’s say in 30 minutes. If 10 customers retrieve their car at the same time, how long does customer number 10 have to wait until he can drive his car out? These are the critical points in designing an automated parking system and will reflect with highest importance in the daily operation of the facility.

QUESTION: How many cars can be handled by one gate (terminal) in an hour?

ANSWER: Each entry / exit gate (terminal) can handle 30 cars in one hour. This is derived from an average time measured that depends on the human interface – meaning how long it takes the customer to drive the car into the terminal, get out and take the ticket so that the system can process the car. For more information on this point, please read Automated Parking: Two-Year Report Card. Click here to read this report

QUESTION: What is the cost per space of the Robotic Parking System?

ANSWER: The cost per space of the Robotic Parking System depends on three factors: a) the size and the layout of the property, b) the total number of parking spaces needed and c) the required speed of the system. These three variables are of equal importance in the equation for project estimate calculations and can result in prices ranging from $12,000 USD per space to over $30,000 USD per space. Much more important than just comparing construction costs are the overall DEVELOPMENT costs. By implementing a Robotic Parking System into the project, additional spaces will be freed up and can be used to generate more revenue or for additional green space as well. These additional revenue generators need be put into the equation and will always result in a net development profit for the Robotic Parking solution in any urban development in which the land price is above $100 USD / SF. (Source: Professor Dr. D. Sollohub of Rutgers University)

QUESTION: How much power is needed to park and retrieve 1 car?

ANSWER: It requires 3Kw/Hr to park and retrieve the car – including all auxiliary electrical needs like lighting, air conditioning etc.

QUESTION: What are the rooms needed to operate a Robotic Parking System?

ANSWER: In addition to the actual storage volume, a Control Room, Lobby, Electrical Room, Pump Room, Generator Room and Storage Room for spare parts are needed.

QUESTION: Is the Robotic Parking System suitable for handicapped persons?

ANSWER: Robotic Parking Systems considered handicapped persons when designing the entry / exit terminals. In order to be suitable and comfortable for the handicapped, the minimum width of each terminal is 4.78 m. The terminals are compatible with the requirements of the ADA – American Disability Act.

QUESTION: Does the Robotic Parking System require a stand-alone building or can it be built under or inside a building?

ANSWER: The Robotic Parking System can be stand-alone, below a building or above a building as long as there are access routes to the terminals. Some 3D models that show the versatility and flexibility of the Robotic Parking System are available. Click here to take a look at the Robotic Parking Systems BIM (Building Information Modeling)

QUESTION: Is the Robotic Parking System supporting structure in steel or concrete?

ANSWER: The Robotic Parking System can be used in both a steel structure as well as in a concrete support structure. For details, please see the RPS 1000 AutoCAD drawings. Click here

QUESTION: Does the façade and roof need be self supporting or can they be connected to the Robotic Parking System structure?

ANSWER: No, the façade and roof can be attached to the Robotic Parking System supporting structure and do not need be free standing. Special connection details need to be followed. All the façades shown in the Photo Gallery are connected to the supporting structure of the Robotic Parking System. Take a look at the gallery

QUESTION: Is special fireproofing required for the Robotic Parking System?

ANSWER: Questions about fire fighting, fire alarms, standpipes, escape routes and ventilation requirements are described in NFPA® 88A Standard for Parking Structures 2011 Edition, Chapter 9. Learn more

QUESTION: What if the electrical power supply is shut off?

ANSWER: Robotic Parking Systems are equipped with a stand-by generator in sufficient capacity to get the job done if or when the power is cut off. An automatic transfer switch ensure a seamless transition to stand-by power within 6 seconds.

QUESTION: What if the computer system crashes?

ANSWER: Robotic Parking Systems servers are not only equipped with a 30 minute UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply), but also with a true hot swappable redundant server that has all information instantly available to continue operation on the fly.

QUESTION: Can a car ever get stuck inside the Robotic Parking System?

ANSWER: The Robotic System was designed from the very beginning with exactly this in mind – how to overcome any possible machine failure so the car can be retrieved no matter what. This design point is represented in the system architecture, its redundancies and flexibilities.

An expert technology auditor (as part of a due diligence investigation on the Robotic Parking System) recently stated about this aspect:

Operational safety two fold on each logical level: Software and Hardware
Full redundancy by at least two identical machines per geographical area
Hot swappable PC system supported by UPS and generators
Several manual operation stations available for different machines
Flexible definition of Entry Exit Terminals indicated by traffic light on the fly
Service plan based on threshold values for each component
System is very solidly designed with lots of redundancy
Highly redundant, cleverly designed system with good traceability
Best practice compliance
Mature, extensible system: over 15 years of experience with system design and operations

QUESTION: How secure is the Robotic Parking System?

ANSWER: Safety and security are unsurpassed compared to any other parking scheme. For more information on security, go to the Features section and click on Security.Learn more

QUESTION: How many parking spaces can be built with a Robotic Parking System?

ANSWER: Due to the modular flexibility of the Robotic Parking System, automated parking structures are designed and built from hundreds to thousands of parking spaces.

QUESTION: How reliable is the Robotic Parking System?

ANSWER: Robotic Parking Systems provides true redundancy with multiple elements controlling the same process to provide alternatives in case of a component failure. For more information on redundancy, go to the Features section and click on Redundancy. Also, for the first time, you can review in the document Basics in Automation the basic design principles of the Robotic Parking System. These principles were formulated at its inception around 1990 and have since been proven true. Read the Basics in Automation report