A great carpark innovation at Joburg airport

I spend a lot of time in carparks, specifically at airports. Normally, I am rushing to park and get checked in. And, at most airports around the world, there are not enough parking spaces, and it can take a lot of time to find an empty bay. But, at OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg, the carpark has added a wonderful new feature.

Above every parking bay a small unit has been installed in the ceiling. This has the ability to detect whether something is parked in the bay, and turns a bright light from green to red if the bay is full. This is a remarkable improvement - you drive into the parking area and scan the ceiling for green lights. Search time is dramatically reduced, and from the far side of the parking garage, you can set a course for an open parking bay.

Thanks ACSA. This is one of your best innovations ever!

2 Responses to “A great carpark innovation at Joburg airport”


  1. 1 Roger Saner

    This is indeed a great innovation - although if the cars aren’t parked exactly correctly in the bays then the green light shows. Still, well played ACSA!

  2. 2 Chris Melck

    A bit late…

    Great idea. The next step is to have the open bays transmitted to your bluetooth cellphone with a map showing the quickest route to the parking closest to you or the parking closest to the terminal entrance.

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