First automated public outdoor car park to debut in Tsuen Wan

The first automated public outdoor car park in Tsuen Wan will commence service on Thursday to offer 245 parking spots, including 78 in the automated system.  

On a short-term tenancy site at the junction of Hoi Shing Road and Hoi Kok Street, the carpark comes with a three-story stacking structure to provide 78 automated parking spaces, double the number of a conventional car park.  

Upon entering the car park, a key card will be given to the driver, who will need to place the card near the card reading machine of the module to open the gate.  

The corresponding gate will be opened with beeping sounds signaling other drivers that someone wants to park.  

The automated system works like an elevator. A driver can choose which “floor” they would like to park their vehicle on, and the system will lower the desired parking spot to the ground level.  

The driver can then reverse their car into the space and exit the vehicle after turning off the engine.  

The driver will then have to place the card against the card-reading machine to signal the gate to close, and the structure will rise to its original position. The parking process usually takes two to three minutes. 

The automated parking spots are now available for monthly rental costing between HK$2,800 and HK$3,100. Rental is cheaper on the higher “floors.”  

The Transport Department said the system comes with multiple safety designs, including lights and alarms to warn people from getting close to the machinery.  

A yellow line is drawn over a meter away from the automated parking modules. The system will immediately suspend operation if it detects activities within the cordoned area.  

The Tsuen Wan site is one of the seven automated parking systems projects that authorities are actively taking forward to further increase the number of parking spaces and spatial efficiency.  

The department said that the tender invitation for another short-term tenancy in another plot of government land designated for an automated parking system at Pak Shek Kok in Tai Po had been completed.   

It said that tender assessment is in progress, and the system is expected to commence services by the end of next year.