Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Informs Travelers with Advanced LED Parking Displays

BROOKINGS, SD — October 12, 2009 — Daktronics, Inc. (NASDAQ – DAKT) LED parking displays encourage repeat business by informing travelers and simplifying facility way finding. For example, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) informs and guides travelers with, in total, well over 200 Daktronics LED message centers. In May 2009, MSP installed three state-of-the-art outdoor LED displays at its Humphrey Terminal to enhance the parking experience.

"The objectives were several," says Arlie Johnson, Assistant Director of MSP Operations/Landside. "One was way finding assistance for customers for things such as an airline relocating to a new Terminal. We also wanted to promote new parking products such as MSP Value Parking and SurePark. Additionally, we can announce event and seasonal-specific information."

As travelers approach the airport’s Humphrey Terminal, a high-resolution LED display greets them with colorful welcome messages and daily airport happenings — content created and scheduled by both MSP staff and a marketing firm. Next, above the road leading into the parking facilities, two more LED displays provide an exact space count for different parking areas and levels.

“The displays are colorful and they get people’s attention,” says Johnson. “They improve the customer’s experience by making our facility more convenient and efficient.”

"We have used signage to direct customers to the appropriate location within the parking ramp based upon their destination," says Johnson. "They do that in an attention-getting and professional manner that saves the customer time and improves their experience."

The Humphrey Terminal displays are capable of producing 4.4 trillion colors and vivid animation, with content created with Daktronics Venus® 7000 software. The signs were integrated with Zeag’s Parking, Access, and Revenue Control software systems.

"The integration process went quite well," says Johnson.

Also integrated with Zeag’s software, MSP installed 32 Daktronics ribbon board LED displays at its parking exit plazas. Switched on in 2005, they display intricate graphics of payment options and logos. Johnson says they provide safety, flexibility, and an improved customer experience — allowing patrons to quickly navigate through payment lanes in about 15 seconds.

Like in many airport parking facilities around the world, Daktronics and LED displays expand MSP’s marketing, way finding, and customer service tools.

"The displays are colorful and they get people’s attention," says Johnson. "They improve the customer’s experience by making our facility more convenient and efficient."