New technology now live at McNamara Parking Garage, Big Blue Deck nears testing phase
DETROIT (July 17, 2026) – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is pleased to announce the implementation of a new parking guidance system at the Edward H. McNamara Terminal Parking Garage, leveraging advanced technology to enhance customer experience.
The $25 million project – which includes the parking structures at both the McNamara and Warren Cleage Evans terminals – allows arriving customers the opportunity to review availability by level, aisle, and individual space in real time. The newly installed technology supports a more efficient and streamlined parking process while also adding an extra layer of security.
“The launch of our new parking guidance system at the McNamara Terminal marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to delivering a world-class experience for every traveler passing through Detroit Metro Airport,” said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton. “This investment brings real-time visibility down to the individual space, giving our customers the information they need to make decisions quickly and confidently.”
The guidance system utilizes a color-coded light configuration to help guests identify parking availability throughout the structure. A green light indicates an open space, red represents an occupied spot and blue highlights available handicapped parking. The McNamara parking deck is convenient for customers flying Delta Air Lines, the largest carrier at DTW, and its partners.
As an additional benefit, customers can enjoy an enhanced experience via the Park Assist app, which allows users to view live parking availability before arriving at the airport. The app, which interfaces with the new technology, also helps users easily locate their vehicle upon returning from their trip.
DTW offers more than 16,000 spots in its parking garages. Installation of the parking guidance system for the Big Blue Deck, which supports parking at the Evans Terminal, has begun and is expected to go live later in 2026.
“As we look ahead to expanding this technology to the Big Blue Deck at the Evans Terminal, we remain dedicated to modernizing touchpoints of the DTW experience for the millions of customers and visitors who frequent our airport each year,” Newton said.
Once the system is fully implemented, customers should anticipate an overall improvement in traffic flow and a decrease in the time required to navigate both parking garages.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) welcomed more than 33 million passengers in 2025. As one of the world’s leading air transportation hubs, DTW offers service from 17 scheduled passenger airlines. Michigan’s largest airport offers approximately 800 flights per day to and from more than 125 nonstop destinations on three continents. With two award-winning passenger terminals, six jet runways, and an onsite AAA Four-Diamond Westin Hotel, DTW is among the world’s most efficient, customer friendly and operationally capable airports in North America. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport earned Airports Council International’s 2020 and 2022 Airport Service Quality Award for Best Airport by Size and Region (25 to 40 million passengers per year in North America). DTW has also garnered three prestigious awards for customer satisfaction since 2010. DTW is operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority, which also operates nearby Willow Run Airport – an important corporate, cargo and general aviation facility. The Airport Authority is entirely self-sustaining and does not receive tax dollars to support airport operations. Visit www.metroairport.com for more information.
