"Parking Garages of the Future"
Imagine this, you pull up to a parking garage and the structure is no where to be found. All you see is a kiosk and loading zone. Well, garages just like this are popping up around Italy.
TreviPark, an Italian company, has come up with new technology that moves parking garages underground.
Construction begins by drilling a hole into the ground and installing an automatic parking system. This system includes a special elevator for vehicles and a multistory stacking structure. The garages hold about 108 vehicles and are designed to accommodate cars of all sizes, light trucks and sports utility vehicles.
When customers arrive they drive up to a parking lane that serves as a pick up and drop off point, turn off their vehicle, press a button on a kiosk and receive a parking voucher. After the customer has pushed that button the garage takes over. Once the system has identified an open parking space, the car is sent to the space by a special elevator that moves vertically and horizontally.
The car remains in that place until the customer returns and inserts the voucher back into the kiosk. This tells the system to retrieve the vehicle and the process takes any where from 15 seconds to one minute, depending on the location of the vehicle in the garage.
TreviPark garages are operated in four cities in Italy including two garages in Cesena, one in Milan and one in Rome. These underground systems are used in areas where land availability is limited. They are also helpful in preserving green space and open areas. However, the initial building cost is higher than traditional parking garages.
No one knows whether or not these garages will catch on in the United States and replace traditional garages some day. One thing is for sure, the best part of this design is you never have to worry about forgetting where you parked your car.
FEBRUARY Fun Facts
Ever wonder why X's are used to indicate kisses on Valentine's cards? The story goes that in the Middle Ages, an X was a valid signature. People often kissed the mark to show their complete sincerity and verification. Therefore, the practice of kissing the X led to it becoming the symbol of a kiss.
The first Groundhog's Day celebration was February 2, 1886. Punxsutawney Phil is the official groundhog in the United States. He lives in Pennsylvania and over the past 118 years his predictions have been around 40% accurate.
The longest time between two leap years is 8 years. Last time was between 1896 and 1904. The next time will be between 2096 and 2104.
Thank You & Enjoy a Carwash on Us
Has winter weather rendered your car hopelessly dirty? We've teamed up with Lincoln BP Stations to offer a FREE CARWASH. Coupons will be handed out at all garage locations.
Employee of the Quarter
Congratulations to Tom Yearley
Tom was awarded employee of the quarter. Tom is a cashier at Cornhusker Garage on the weekends and has been an employee since March 2004. He also works full time as a correction officer at the Lincoln Correctional Center. This award is given based on attendance, paperwork, customer service, safety and facility cleanliness. Tom is originally from Lincoln and has three children. He enjoys spending time with his family, working on cars and woodworking.
Thank you for all your hard work Tom!
Movin' On Up:
Interview With Matt Goeken
"It's nice to be out of the booth and develop management skills that I will be able to take with me after college."
Between hitting the books and work, Matt Goeken has little time for much else right now. He is attending college full time and in January he was promoted from his position as cashier to the night weekend manager, a full time position. He's worked at the City of Lincoln parking garages for the last four years, while in school. Matt will graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Business Administration in December 2005.
Goeken, who is originally from Lincoln, is excited about his new position and enjoys the added responsibilities that come along with it.
"It's nice to be out of the booth and develop management skills that I will be able to take with me after college," Goeken said.
A few of Matt's new tasks include dealing with attendance issues, payroll and scheduling. He is also helping to gather information for the current parking study.
Katherine Donnelly, general manager of Republic Parking, is pleased Goeken decided to join the management team and thinks he will be a great asset.
"We're excited about the energy that Matt will bring to the position," said Donnelly.
Goeken looks forward to learning new aspects of the parking business, but he just might need a few more hours in the day.
"The biggest challenge right now is finding time to do everything," Goeken said.
