Rapid technical progress also applies to the topic of ‘parking’. Thus, those persons responsible see themselves confronted with new challenges which will need to be met in the future.
The car of the future will look for its parking space by itself. At the destination, simply park the car at the so-called transfer point and instruct an app to drive it to its parking space – this vision is coming ever nearer. Not only the car manufacturers but also the suppliers and operators in the parking field must get involved intensively in this process. An essential advantage currently causes the eyes of suburban planners to light up: through autonomous parking many more vehicles can be accommodated, because the electronics do not need keep a large safe distance between fenders and bumpers. Thus more open space is created for other things such as green areas.
It is still a long way to the goal but the first steps are being taking with determination. RTB is advancing monitoring of individual parking space in parking garages. The development of a new infrared sensor makes the cost-saving and time-saving integration of the existing building infrastructure with power lines and track systems possible. In contrast to the usual detector in present use, the new sensor determines from an inclined, frontal position if the space is occupied and displays the appropriate response. Thus the driver looking for a parking space can see at a distance, which spaces are not occupied.
The essential technical advantage of the infrared sensor in comparison with the ultrasound sensors used so far, is that the infrared sensor in comparison with the ultrasound sensor used so far, is that the infrared light is diffusely reflected by all objects. The floor, that must always be recognised, serves as a reference area for the sensors. Whereas for example, ultrasound doesn´t function if it hits inclined surfaces (windshield) of a vehicle, the infrared sensor catches the reflections even from an inclined position. Thus occupied parking spaces are really reliably recognised.
In addition, parking spaces located next to one another can be supplied with two sensors but only one LED display. If one of the space is occupied ‘green’ lights up, if both spaces are occupied, ‘red’ lights up. Since the LEDs are multicolour, the colour is freely selectable.