GLOSSARY

Pallet and Palletless Systems

In automated parking, a pallet system stores and moves each car on a steel tray, or pallet, while a palletless system picks up the car directly, usually by its tires, using combs, clamps or robots.

WHAT THE CAR RIDES ONPALLET SYSTEMPALLETLESS SYSTEMsteel pallet travels with the carempty pallets must be stacked and returnedcombs or robot arms lift by the tiresno pallet to handle,more complex machinery
Pallet systems are simpler and tolerate a wide range of vehicles; palletless systems skip the empty-pallet shuffle, which usually means faster cycles. Illustrative.

The difference looks small but shapes the whole system. Pallets are simple and robust: the machines only ever move a standard tray, and the car never gets touched. But every car that leaves takes its pallet to the exit bay, and an empty pallet has to be put back before the next car can be parked. Palletless systems skip that step, at the cost of more complex handling equipment.

How they differ

  • Pallet systems. The car is parked on a pallet in the transfer bay, and the pallet goes into storage with it. Empty pallets are stacked or returned to the entry bays.
  • Palletless systems. A comb, clamp or robot lifts the car by its wheels and sets it into a rack or onto the floor. Nothing extra has to come back.
  • Hybrid approaches. Some systems keep pallets but store spares near the bays to shorten the return trip.

Why it matters

  • Peak speed. At a morning or evening peak, empty pallet handling can add moves to each cycle. See APS throughput.
  • Weight and height. Pallets add dead weight per space, which matters to the structure and to the lifts.
  • Drips and debris. Pallets catch fluids and snow melt from each car instead of letting it fall on the car below.

What to ask a vendor

  • How long does an empty pallet return add at peak, and where are spare pallets stored?
  • What wheelbase, tire and ground clearance range can the palletless handler accept?
  • How are heavier electric vehicles accommodated in both cases?

The Parkonomics view

Pallet versus palletless is a speed and simplicity trade, not a quality ranking. The right choice follows from the peak: a residential building with spread out demand can live with pallet returns, while a busy office or event garage may need every move it can save.

Related terms: Automated Parking, Shuttle Parking System, AGV Parking, Retrieval Time, APS Throughput

Further reading: The Evolution of U.S. Parking Structures in 2026