New System Aims to Improve Parking Experience
Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) will begin implementing a new parking access system this summer to improve the parking experience for those traveling to and from campus. The new equipment will be installed in all 21 gated parking decks and surface lots on the Georgia Tech campus starting in July. Once fully operational, the new system will enable PTS to better track and evaluate parking usage patterns campuswide and identify opportunities for improvement.
“Georgia Tech has been using legacy parking systems that can no longer fully meet the needs of our growing campus community,” said Melinda Alonzo, senior director for PTS. “This new modernized system will deliver an improved and more consistent service experience while providing real-time parking occupancy data — both of which are essential as our student enrollment continues to grow and we welcome more employees back to campus in the 2025-26 academic year.”
The new system will streamline and modernize parking operations in a variety of ways, including:
- Hands-Free Entry and Exit (Coming Fall 2025). Accommodates a vehicle tag to allow instant access upon approaching the gate. Vehicle tags will be available to permit holders during the fall semester. Permit holders will continue to use their BuzzCards for seamless access as the system is being implemented on campus throughout the summer.
- Touchscreen Kiosks. Improves user interaction with easy-to-read displays.
- Mobile Pay. Tap and pay using a credit card or smartphone.
- Cashless Machines. Speeds up exit times and reduces wait times.
- QR Code Ticket Payment. Pay by phone before exiting by scanning the ticket’s QR code.
- Direct Intercom Assistance. Instantly connect with parking dispatch if help is needed.
- Event and Hotel Guest Programming. Specialized parking options for smoother guest experiences.
- Online Guest Parking Validation. No more stickers, and an improved online validation process.
Alonzo added that these new features will enable data-informed decision-making to enhance the customer experience and ensure smarter, more efficient use of our parking resources. With real-time occupancy insights, the PTS team can better manage parking access for all campus stakeholders and make better use of available capacity.
More information, including implementation timelines, affected parking lots, and availability of vehicle tags, will be posted on the PTS website, pts.gatech.edu.