{"id":2518,"date":"2014-08-21T09:53:00","date_gmt":"2014-08-21T13:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myparkingpermit.com\/blog\/?p=2518"},"modified":"2024-07-31T02:02:59","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T06:02:59","slug":"houston-plans-airport-parking-three-times-larger-terminal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myparkingpermit.com/blog\/houston-plans-airport-parking-three-times-larger-terminal\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston plans airport garage three times larger than the terminal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last year, 11 million people passed through Houston\u2019s William P. Hobby Airport, a record number of travelers that means more flights — but also fewer parking spots for employees, passengers, and the people who ferry them to and from departure and arrival gates.<\/p>\n

\"aerial<\/a>

Houston’s Hobby Airport, a major Southwest Airlines hub. From AuburnPilot<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always hard looking for a parking spot,\u201d says Myesha Harry, who was recently at the airport to pick up loved ones. \u201cYou just drive around until you find one. Sometimes it takes, like, 30 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

That behavior \u2014 circling garages and lots for parking \u2014 not only frustrates drivers, it also increases the risk of accidents and environmental damage as the gas gauge ticks lower and pipes emit car exhaust. With Houston, America\u2019s fourth largest city, often failing<\/a> to meet federal smog standards, the latter is an especially troubling outcome.<\/p>\n

But late next year the parking hassles at Hobby will be a thing of the past. The airport<\/a> hired Walker Parking Consultants<\/a>, which has designed facilities for numerous airports, including Raleigh-Durham, Abu Dhabi, and Memphis, to retool its parking, and the results look to take advantage of recent developments in parking technology.<\/p>\n

The new garage, which will add 3,000 parking spaces to the airport\u2019s supply, will feature a guidance system that uses single-stall overhead LED indicators \u2014 green for available, red for taken \u2014 to tell drivers where parking spots are open.<\/p>\n

Other environmentally friendly features include LED lighting throughout the almost 1 million square feet \u2014 three times the size of the new terminal that will connect to the garage \u2014 currently under construction. The LED lights will dim as natural light increases. The garage will also offer ten electric vehicle-charging stations, and vehicular bridges connecting the new and existing garage on each level will minimize the time needed to find an open parking space.<\/p>\n

Until the garage is finished, drivers continue to encounter headaches at Hobby, especially during busy days in the middle of the week. Airport officials are recommending that travelers leave their cars at home. Those visiting the airport to pick up passengers are being asked to wait in the cell phone lot instead of securing a parking space at the garage.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease have a friend drop you off,\u201d Liliana Rambo of the Houston Airport System told travelers. \u201cIf you really must bring your vehicle and you are running out of time, valet park.\u201d<\/p>\n

Valet parking, which only became available at Hobby in December 2012, can be reserved in advance.<\/p>\n

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