The
German newspaper, Die Welt (the world), ran an
article, in August 2014, about a growing problem involving parking spaces,
particularly in Germany: the parking spaces are too small. Spaces in many
parking facilities were on the small end of the size spectrum when built. As car
sizes continue to increase, what was originally an adequate parking space size
has become problematic. By way of example, the article points out that the
Volkswagen Golf, the best-selling car in Germany, has little extra room to park
in a typical space…even opening car doors can be difficult.
The
point of the article is that the small size of parking spaces results in minor
to major damage to many cars.
The
article also notes how newer, larger cars can limit visibility crucial to
maneuvering in tight spaces. Some optimism is offered about the proximity sensors,
cameras and other collision-avoidance features found on high-end cars. It is
suggested that a 360-degree view outside the car could help prevent scrapes and
scratches, however that assumes the driver (or the car) could act quickly
enough.
Sophisticated
the onboard “damage prevention” devices may help the driver avoid damage to
his/her own vehicle, however they can’t protect against another source of
damage resulting from small spaces: other drivers. Small parking spaces
increase the likelihood of damage from acts as simple as opening car doors.
What
is a car owner to do about small parking spaces? Accept damage as part of the
cost of parking? Expect that insurance companies will continue paying for car
damage without increasing premiums?
Furthermore,
what are parking facility owners and insurance companies to do about increasing
damage and car sizes? Facility owners could “redraw” the lines and make parking
spaces larger. However, this serves to reduce the total number of parking
spaces available and raises many potential problems and possibility of
permitting violations. Insurance companies might exclude coverage of parking
area damage, but this would certainly be very unpopular with policyholders.
There
appears to be no quick or easy solution unless car sizes decrease instantly and
universally…not likely. There is no indication the overall trend towards larger
car sizes will reverse soon, if ever.
The
small parking space…big car problem is but one of many parking-related
challenges facing urban planners, property developers and facility
operators…not to mention car owners.
Automated
parking systems (APS) are very viable solutions to virtually all
parking-related problems such as those of small parking spaces and car damage
while parking. APS eliminate parking space size and vehicle damage as issues
for all stakeholders while also permitting more parking spaces in the same land
area as car parks and conventional parking facilities.
Skyline
Parking supplies automated parking systems throughout Europe with sales offices
in France, Germany, Netherlands, U.K., Spain, Switzerland, in the Balkans,
Turkey and Moscow.