USC football season begins with new plans for security, traffic

USC begins its 119th football season Saturday with a game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where increased security and new plans for parking and traffic management will be put into effect.

Security patrols will be increased in Exposition Park, on the USC campus and surrounding neighborhood, athletic director Pat Haden wrote in a letter to fans. Coliseum management has installed cameras that allow security officers to better monitor the entire venue, Haden wrote.

“We also have improved integration between law enforcement agencies,” Haden wrote.

USC has developed an integrated traffic plan in conjunction with city leaders, the Department of Transportation and a professional traffic consultant that Haden said “will improve traffic flow and ease entry and exit from Coliseum parking lots.” there will be more traffic control officers in the streets, improved and increased signage and a “united approach to traffic management,” Haden wrote.

All parking around the Coliseum is now reserved on a lot-by-lot basis. Each of USC’s support group members have been assigned to a specific lot for the entire season. there will be more visible parking permits, improved training of parking lot attendants and new lighting and resurfacing in many Coliseum parking lots, Haden wrote.

Fans without an assigned parking lot are encouraged to park in any USC campus lot or structure.

USC conducted a new staff training program from its ushers and ticket takers, purchased new uniforms for staff, added guest service booths around the Coliseum and will have game day “ambassadors” in Exposition Park for the first time, Haden wrote.

There will be new gate signs and food vendor maps at the Coliseum. What Haden said is college football’s second-largest high-definition video board will make its debut today. A free iPhone application providing traffic feeds and updates, maps, concession information and live stats is available in the App Store.

USC will survey fans throughout the season for feedback on the improvements.

“We might not get everything right the first time around and we apologize for any first-game inconvenience, but we are committed to continual improvement throughout this season and in the years ahead,” Haden wrote.

The USC Trojans season opener is against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

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