Automated Garage Reopens in Hoboken

According to the New Jersey Journal, the trouble plagued automated garage in Hoboken reopened last week.

The garage, which had new software and some modifications by an Israeli company, had been closed for 10 months for the work.

"I’ve learned you need to wait a little while before
you’re the first to try something new," joked Mayor David Roberts at the
ceremony. "But in Hoboken we like to be the first."

The futuristic structure, which is still the largest in the
nation, uses computer-controlled lifts, conveyors and shuttles to automatically
park and retrieve cars. Vehicles can be parked two and three deep, and with
very little headroom.

The new, more efficient system means just a two-to-three
minute wait for customers, and even less as the computer automatically learns
customers’ routines and has cars ready in advance, said John Corea, director of
the Hoboken Parking Utility.

Last Week’s event celebrated the transfer of power from the
garage’s designer, Unitronics, to the city, although the transfer itself
occurred Dec. 1. The garage reopened at a lower capacity in October and has
slowly been assigning the $200-per-month spaces to people on a waiting list.
The city soon hopes to offer hourly parking at the lot, using spaces
temporarily vacated by the monthly cars.

"This new computer system has four and five checks and
balances," he said. Improvements include three backup systems, one of
which is manual, more sensitive lasers to measure cars and detect motion, and
144 electronic controls throughout the system that allow one part to be fixed
while the rest continue running.

Corea also pointed out the new garage is more economical,
costing about $250,000 per year instead of $1 million for a comparable
conventional lot, due to its density of cars and the need for fewer staff. The
lot, in fact, will only be staffed during peak hours. Other times customers can
call a hotline with problems, most of which can be solved remotely, he said.

As for people who fear for their cars? Corea says he gets 10
times as many complaints about damaged cars from the conventional lots, since
vandalism, theft and minor fender-benders are much less likely at the automated facility.

I’m at a PT deadline — I’ll comment on this in the next few days..