Tokyo finds solution to commuter bicycle parking shortage by building high-tech robotic garages.
With more than 700,000 people riding bikes everyday, the most populous metropolitan area in the world with 35 million people, greater Tokyo is facing a serious bicycle parking shortage. With the world's largest system of commuter trains and subways, Tokyo's bike parking deficit is especially acute around stations.
The city recently built a high-tech underground parking facility for bikes at one of its busiest stations. Commuters coming into the station can now push a button at one of the designated elevators, and when the door opens, they can trust their bicycle to a giant robotic hand that takes hold of the bike and takes it to the underground garage where it is safely parked and stored by machines. It takes approximately ten seconds for the bicycle to be returned to the commuter.
The cost to users is only $18 a month. The parking contains space for more than 9,000 bikes and is at full capacity almost daily. Since the project started there has been a 20% increase in neighborhood biking.
Thanks to Andrea Limauro
FULL STORY: Tokyo's High-Tech Bike Storage Solution
Best Ideas of the Week
Another week has passed, and some more exciting and interesting ideas have taken root in the world of urban planning.
A New Tallest Skyscraper for Japan
The Toranomon-Azabudai reaches 330 meters into the sky, far lower than international standards but taller by 30 meters than the previous tallest building in Japan.
In D.C., Employers Will Refund Workers Who Leave the Car at Home
D.C. has passed a "parking cash-out" law that goes further than a few preexisting examples to reward commuters who leave their cars at home.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
