
The Car Elevator

The Vertical Circulation System

There are three types depending on the position at which the cars enters the system: top loading, middle loading and bottom loading. The top loading and the middle loading systems are systems that give consideration to the effective use of the underground.
The Multi-Level Circulation System

Entry is either direct or using an elevator which then is installed at either ends of the equipment or somewhere midpoint along the system. In recent years systems equipped with turntables are also increasingly common.
The Horizontal Circularion System

The system was developed with the intent of reducing the space required for parking by eliminating car passageway and thus increasing the number of cars that may be parked within a given area. It involves installing numerous parking conveyors on the horizontal plane and in two or more rows and depending on the system of rotation, may be categorized into the circular rotation system and the box rotation system.
In this system, underground parking space is most often used and systems actually in operation are the box rotation type for the most part and through combination with an elevator, the entry to the parking is installed on the ground floor. There may be 1-4 floors in such parking systems.
The Elevator System

The vertical type involves parking space positioned on both sides of the elevator in the lengthwise axis, the horizontal type involves parking space positioned on both sides of the elevator in the width axis and the radial type involves parking space radiating from the elevator. Movement from the elevator into the parking space is achieved by an automatic conveyor.
The Elevator Slide System

The System can be categorized into two types: one in which the parking space is positioned on both sides of the elevator in the lengthwise axis and the other in which the parking space is positioned on both sides of the elevator in the width axis. Movement from the elevator to the parking space may be selfpropelled or by automatic conveyance with the latter system being most commonly used.
The Plane Surface Slide System
Also high performance and large-scale equipment for use in underground parking facilities installed below roads have been developed. Various companies have added diverse functions and such systems may make large-scale underground parking a possibility for the future.

As an adaptation of the elevator type, there are also those equipped with a pit to store cars below the ground which are used in collective housing where the upper and lower tiers are used separately. Expanded applications of this two storied horizontal shift type are the "Multi-storied System" with three or four stories. These range from those using only the ground surface to those having pits with type allowing multiple parking on the vertical axis that have been put to practical use of late.
Another very practical function of the automation of Japanese parking systems is a laser barrier that scans your car and licence tag. It then generates a specific number on your parking card which allows you to leave the parking lot without waiting for any barriers to open, after you paid your bill. Thus Japanese parking systems do not only provide space saving function but also save a lot of time due to automatic applications almost everywhere.
