New Parking Technology at Airports May Become More Popular
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: With Americans flying in record numbers these days, it's not surprising the nation's skies more crowded than ever now, and that's causing problems not just in the air, but on the ground. CNN's Kathleen Koch now on one solution in that race for an elusive parking space.</s>KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is garage gridlock frustrating frequent flyers before they even check their luggage.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I had to drive probably about four times around trying to get a spot.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Circling the parking lot looking for a space, for about 10 or 15 minutes going from one level to the other.</s>KOCH: Enter "Smart Park," now being tested at Baltimore- Washington International, the fastest growing major U.S. airport.</s>BILL LINS, DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY, BWI: You come down a central corridor and you're greeted with these signs indicating to you what aisles have spaces and the number of spaces down each of the individual aisles.</s>KOCH: The first of its kind in North America, the system uses lights and sensors linked to computers to direct drivers to open spaces.</s>LINS: When a customer pulls in you will see that the LED lights on sensors will turn red.</s>KOCH (on camera): When you back out, a car backs out, it turns green?</s>LINS: That's correct.</s>KOCH: Wow.</s>LINS: And as it's doing that, it's sending data back to the computer and that's changing the signs on the digital readouts as you come down each of the isles.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I saw the green light down here and I'm right in the front and it's a great deal.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was just great. I wish all the airports had this.</s>KOCH (voice-over): Airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose are considering similar technology. At $500 a space, it's not cheap. (on camera): Officials here say their system helps pay for itself, because now they can keep the garage open until it's completely full, instead of closing it at 90 percent because they aren't sure how many spaces are left. (voice-over): As the number of air travelers increases, experts say parking has become an issue airports can't ignore.</s>PETER MANDLE, AIRPORT PARKING CONSULTANT: At some airports parking is their most significant problem. It affects customer service. It affects roadway congestion.</s>KOCH: And the length of the journey.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wish somebody would get in their car and leave so I can have a parking place. I mean, look at where we're at. We're out here by the highway.</s>KOCH: Airport parking panic that could end as more drivers see the light. Kathleen Koch, for CNN, Baltimore.