McGhee Tyson Airport Enhances Passenger Experience with Smart Parking Management System
As one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States, McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tennessee is in the midst of a sweeping transformation. Serving over 3.3 million passengers in 2024 (increased 17%+ from the previous year), the airport is expanding its capacity and elevating its infrastructure to meet growing demand. This includes the construction of six new gates by 2028 as part of its Flight Plan expansion program.
Scheduled for completion in 2027, at the heart of this modernization effort will be a 6-floor parking garage with 3,107 spaces, designed to improve accessibility, reduce congestion, and create a seamless arrival experience for passengers. As part of this project, the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) has chosen to partner with TKH Security for an innovative parking guidance system.
“McGhee Tyson’s commitment to forward-thinking infrastructure makes them an ideal partner. With passenger numbers continuing to climb, the need for smarter, faster parking has never been greater,” said Jeff Sparrow, Director of Sales, North America. “Whether flying out for business or heading home for the holidays, travelers can start their journey with less stress and greater convenience.”
The Park Assist Solution, an Automated Parking Guidance System (APGS), is designed to streamline their traveler’s arrival process, minimizing traffic congestion, assisting them to find an open space with ease, and cutting search time by up to 63%.
At the core of the parking management system is the M5 smart sensor, a sophisticated camera-based technology that brings intelligence and precision to every level of the garage. Mounted above the drive aisle, each sensor uses dual HD CMOS digital cameras to monitor up to six parking spaces at once, space by space, capturing real-time occupancy data with over 99% accuracy. Integrated full-spectrum RGB LED indicators help guide drivers by clearly signaling space availability and highlighting specific parking zones, all with customizable colors to meet the airport’s operational needs. Most commonly, green indicates available, blue for ADA, red for occupied, and more.
“When travelers enter the garage, they will see green and red lights on the ceiling, indicating where they can find an available parking space. No more driving down aisle by aisle. Travelers can immediately drive to a green light and park in an open spot, significantly reducing their time to park and allowing them to reach their gate faster,” said Sparrow.
McGhee Tyson’s Automated Parking Guidance System also includes:
- Park Finder, powered by integrated license plate recognition (LPR), helps operators and guests quickly locate lost vehicles via user-friendly tools like touchscreen kiosks, mobile apps, or integrated pay stations.
- INX-Core software suite delivers live system insights and robust historical reporting, giving operators a comprehensive understanding of parking patterns and system performance.
- Park Alerts, leveraging integrated LPR, empowers staff to automate enforcement by triggering real-time alerts for vehicles that overstay, park in restricted areas, or match VIP or watchlist lists.
- The S2 outdoor solution brings elevated surveillance to surface lots and rooftops with high-definition, camera-based monitoring to enhance safety and situational awareness.
- Customer Experience+ API enables facilities to enrich the parking journey with value-added features designed to boost guest satisfaction and engagement.
- Ops Command+ API streamlines operations by connecting the APGS with building systems, digital signage, and web platforms, delivering alerts, updates, and seamless system management.
- Business Development+ API supports strategic monetization with options for reserved, permit, and tiered parking, alongside deep insights into driver behavior for smarter revenue growth.
“Together, these solutions will ensure McGhee Tyson’s parking operations are as efficient, secure, and user-friendly as the rest of its expanding terminal. TKH Security is honored to collaborate with MKAA and the general contractor Messer Construction on this milestone project and proud to contribute to the growth of such a vital transportation hub,” said Sparrow.
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