marchapril2021 - 12

PARKING
AUTHOR Scott Hutchison

A
New
Normal
IN AIRPORT PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION
Looking beyond COVID-19 to the rebound in travel.
THE COVID-19 pandemic completely upended the air
travel industry in 2020. Even as several vaccines start
to roll out, the pandemic and its fears continue to
wear on. However, airports can, and should, already
include their parking facilities in their overall safety
programs. These efforts are essential to addressing
traveler concerns and to building their confidence in
the airport experience in the months and years ahead.
Forward-looking parking managers
realize the time is right to be proactive
in preparing their facilities for the
forthcoming recovery in air travel.
Given that today's consumers expect
smooth, virtual transactions, starting the
transition to fully automated, frictionless
parking may help you realize benefits
sooner than you think.

Disinfection is
Fundamental
Frequent cleaning and disinfecting are
among the most important, effective
and visible steps that you can take to
demonstrate the airport's commitment
to the health and safety of air travelers.
Shuttle bus grab rails, garage elevator
buttons, pay station machines and other
high-touch surfaces should be routinely
disinfected throughout operating hours.
To maximize disinfection efficacy, the
CDC recommends non-porous surfaces
like arm rests and door handles be

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SCOTT HUTCHISON

Scott Hutchison is Senior Vice President
of Landside Operations, ABM Aviation.
You can reach him at Scott.Hutchison@
abm.com.

cleaned with detergent or soap and
water prior to disinfectant application
if the surface is visibly dirty. Self-service
disinfection offerings like hand sanitizer
stations and/or wipes onboard buses
serve passengers as well as the driver.
When buses stop circulating for
the day, broader disinfection, via
electrostatic spraying for example,
provides another level of protection
from the virus and other pathogens.
While exciting innovations are
emerging in the marketplace, do not
rely on untested methods or products.
Whether your facility is cleaned by your
own employees, staff from a specialized
provider, or a combination of the two,
make sure they are trained and follow
official guidelines and recommendations
from state and federal health authorities
like the CDC.

Protections on the
Frontline
Providing personal protective equipment
(PPE) to employees is another essential
and highly visible measure. At a
minimum, equip shuttle-bus drivers,
valets, attendants and cashiers with
masks and gloves. The World Health
Organization recommends washing
hands with hand sanitizer or soap and

12 \ AIRPORTBUSINESS / MARCH/APRIL 2021

water prior to putting on a face mask.
Consider adding plastic shields around
the bus driver's seat as well as valet stands
for further protection. It is mandatory
that shuttle passengers wear masks
when onboard the vehicle. The CDC
now requires passengers to wear masks
on all forms of public transit, as well as
transportation hubs such as airports and
train stations.
Relative to self-parking, the valet
business has declined steeply. Providing
disposable covers for steering wheels and
gear shifts can help to reassure parkers
that safety is being taken seriously. Valet
customers are more likely to return
knowing their cars are as safe as when
they were dropped off.
Ensuring that employees are aware
of self-protection practices like securing
face masks tightly and discarding of
single-use masks will play a vital role
in stopping the spread of infection. All
front-line personnel - along with your
regular cleaning crews - should be
trained in the appropriate protocols and
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