The WJB Dorn Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Dorn VAMC) in Columbia, South Carolina, offers a broad range of healthcare services, including primary care, surgery, psychiatry, cardiology, oncology, geriatrics, rehabilitation, and mental health support.
For years, Dorn VAMC has faced persistent parking shortages. In 2018, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers formally acknowledged the severity of the issue, citing a surge in patient volume driven by the facility’s growing reputation for high-quality care. In Fiscal Year 2017 alone, Dorn VAMC served approximately one million patient visits, a scale of operations that significantly exceeded the capacity of existing parking infrastructure.
“Nwave’s Parking Guidance System has transformed our patient experience, reducing complaints, easing congestion, and saving time. With its reliable and consistent performance, we are now planning to expand the system across the entire campus.”
Jose Gonzales, WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC
Background
Despite previous expansion efforts, by 2021 the parking shortage remained significant, impacting veterans, their families, visitors, and employees alike. Patients and visitors naturally gravitated toward Lots 1 and 1A near the main entrance, which faced consistent midday congestion. These lots also serve as the primary parking areas for visitors and include more than 50 ADA-designated spaces spread across multiple zones. As these areas filled quickly, both general visitors and those requiring accessible parking were often forced to circle between sections, adding to traffic buildup, delays, and frustration.
The growing demand for care, combined with the need to ensure reliable staff access, placed further strain on the facility’s parking operations and underscored the need for a modernized solution.
Solution: Nwave Wireless Parking Guidance Solution
Seeking a long-term, technology-driven solution to reduce congestion and enhance the patient experience, Dorn VAMC evaluated several smart parking systems before selecting Nwave. The system was installed by Nwave’s local solution partner, Carolina Time & Parking Group, who provided excellent planning, execution, and on-site support.
“We are planning to expand the Nwave solution to our other parking lots and garages to further improve the arrival and parking experience for everyone on campus”
Jose Gonzales, WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC
The impact was both immediate and far-reaching.
According to Dorn VAMC’s facility management, the Nwave system is now considered “essential to our operations.” The solution has proven effective even during peak occupancy periods exceeding 90%, enabling drivers to find spaces quickly through real-time guidance.
Reduced Circling & Congestion
Drivers can check availability and navigate directly to open spaces with clear signage and app support.
Operational Flexibility
Real-time monitoring and data insights allow operations to right-size and properly time future expansions.
Increased Turnover
Analytics provde insights on long stay parking sessions for better enforcement and more parking availability to arriving patients.
Better ADA Accessibility
Drivers needing ADA spaces are guided to available, compliant parking spots near entrances and key destinations.
“Nwave provided critical operational flexibility during our parking expansion project. The system has also significantly helped with long-stay enforcement, improved turnover, and increased visitor parking availability.”
Jose Gonzales, WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC
Future Outlook
Buoyed by the success of the initial deployment, Dorn VAMC plans to expand the Nwave wireless PGS across its Columbia campus in future phases.
Thanks to the system’s adaptability across surface lots, garages, and covered structures, the hospital can continue improving its parking ecosystem in a scalable, budget-conscious manner. This phased expansion strategy allows Dorn VAMC to prioritize the highest-need areas while planning for campus-wide parking enhancements, all grounded in real-time data, improved patient access, and operational efficiency.
Join the Smart Parking Revolution
At Nwave, we are committed to revolutionizing parking management with intelligent, sustainable solutions that drive efficiency, maximize revenue, and create a greener future. Our smart technology helps you optimize parking operations, enhance user experiences, and make data-driven investments.
Explore how Nwave can transform your parking strategy. Contact us today for a consultation and take the first step into the future of smart parking.