VELLORE: Even as Vellore is gearing up to evolve into a Smart City, the Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital here has taken the lead in addressing space crunch with an automated Multi-Level Car Parking (MLCP) facility.
CMC director Dr Sunil Chandy said the hospital has introduced the semi-automated parking system using ‘puzzle parking technology’, considered the first of kind in the state.
Compared to other options of more expensive concrete structures the steel structure could be customised besides being eco-friendly. This system would soon be upgraded into a fully automated system. Right now the system has helped in stacking of 62 cars vertically in six layers and work is on to double its capacity. Cars get lifted and parked according to the space available.
Started in June 2016, the first phase of the project got completed in September 2016, he added.
According to J Suresh, senior marketing officer of Coimbatore-based Seiger Parking company which has implemented the system, the puzzle parking system is one of the most popular and versatile mechanical parking solutions.
It is fully automated featuring combination pallets that enable horizontal and vertical movement of car parking spots just like a puzzle to park and retrieve cars.
The system could be easily configured and customised. The upper and lower level parking spaces move vertically and the middle parking spaces move horizontally (left and right) to allow upper or lower level cars to come up or down to driveway level and be driven off the platforms.
The middle level of the machine has one less car than the upper and lower level to enable the lower cars to move left and right to create the vacant space. These automated systems are computer operated with no human involvement except that the driver has to park in a designated spot.
Automated parking systems use 20 per cent less surface area compared to a conventional garage, he pointed out. Apart from this, they also help in vehicle security and personal safety and environmental friendly. MLCP could be shifted to a different location anywhere, anytime when required. In the next phase, the cars would be given RFID controls that would make parking totally automated.