BACKGROUND
Public parking is typically the largest source of non-aeronautical revenue at commercial airports of all sizes, generating more than $100 million annually at several U.S. airports, and often generating more than twice the revenues of in- terminal retail and restaurant concessions. In 2019 (i.e., prior to the downturn in air travel due to COVID-19), about 40% of the non-aeronautical revenues at primary U.S. airports came from parking. As a result, airport managers seek to manage and enhance parking revenues. One strategy to manage and enhance parking revenues is to use parking reservation systems such as those in place at many European and a few U.S. airports. These systems allow customers, using the internet, to reserve and pay for parking prior to their arrival at the airport. Such systems are referred to as reservation or online booking systems (OBS).

OBJECTIVE & AUDIENCE
The objective of this synthesis is to describe the deployment of parking reservation systems, their benefits and costs, and the operational and financial results. The audience for this report is airport staff evaluating implementation of innovative parking systems and techniques.

STATUS ACRP Synthesis 140 is expected to be published in March 2025