Parking can be a major pain point for travelers, especially when heading to a busy destination like the Port of Galveston in Texas. During 2025, the five cruise lines sailing from Galveston are expected to serve 1.75 million passengers, with more than 400 sailings.
With thousands of passengers arriving almost daily to board ships, the port needs a reliable way to streamline the parking process and make it more user-friendly. To tackle this challenge, Parking Guidance Systems (PGS) partnered with PSX, Inc. to deploy a state-of-the-art parking guidance solution that elevates the experience for everyone arriving at the port.
Meeting the Needs of a Busy Cruise Hub
The Port of Galveston is the fourth most popular cruise home port in the U.S., meaning parking demand is consistently high. With as many as four ships disembarking on a single day, parking guidance and monitoring are crucial aspects of managing parking assets and avoiding traveler frustration.
While PSX, Inc. provided a new Amano McGann Parking Access Revenue Control System (PARCS) , PGS was asked to leverage their expertise in Matrix signage solutions to create an intuitive parking experience that would:
- Reduce time spent searching for parking
- Provide accurate, real-time parking availability information
- Display helpful updates, such as cruise schedules and weather conditions for destinations
Smart Wayfinding at Its Best
Covering 2,500 parking spaces spread across five surface lots, PGS has now installed 20 Monument Matrix signs as part of a growing and comprehensive parking solution, with an additional 8 Monument Matrix signs set to be deployed before the end of 2025
These dynamic signs communicate live updates using data collected from the Amano McGann PARCS equipment. Drivers are informed about open parking spaces as soon as they arrive at the port, saving them time and reducing congestion around lots. Instead of circling aimlessly looking for spots, travelers can quickly find their designated areas and proceed to their boarding destination.
By opting for Matrix displays, the Port of Gaveston can showcase cruise departure schedules, assigned parking lot details, and even weather forecasts for cruise destinations. The customized information helps passengers better plan their boarding process and enrich their travel experience.
In addition to informing travelers via sharp, illuminated displays, the signs are designed to excel in outdoor environments. They can be counted on to perform despite weather challenges like heavy rain, high humidity, and occasional hurricane-force winds.
The port can access all of the signs from a single, cloud-based portal, making it easy to update messaging or graphics as needed and scale up the system with additional signs in the future. Whether it’s an adjustment in parking instructions or new cruise details, changes can be made and quickly pushed out to the relevant signs.
Collaboration puts the Client First
The Port of Galveston installation illustrates a collaborative effort between PGS and PSX, Inc. to exceed the client’s expectations. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, PGS carefully evaluated the Port of Galveston’s specific needs and tailored the approach.
While PGS is a full-service parking technology provider, the team is willing to work with pre-existing technology or partner with third-party vendors to create the best outcome for clients.
Transform Your Parking Operations with PGS
Partnering with PGS can unlock meaningful opportunities to improve parking experiences. From cutting-edge technologies to industry-leading collaboration, PGS delivers the solutions that work.
Contact Parking Guidance Systems today to begin customizing a parking solution that saves time, optimizes revenue, and raises driver satisfaction.
