The Iowa State Cyclones take on the Iowa Hawkeyes Saturday, and the big football game brings big numbers in attendance which translates into game day parking headaches.

The Department of Public Safety is responsible on game day for keeping the traffic flowing smoothly. DPS officers can be seen about two hours before games directing traffic.

Doug Houghton, program coordinator of DPS, said they will experience fundamental problems on Saturday, where the game brings from 40,000 to 45,000 people within a four block radius.

“My best recommendation for students who are attending the game: walk,” Houghton said.

Houghton said games played against the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska draw their biggest crowds, because of the universities’ close vicinities.

“The traffic coming into the stadium is very heavy from about two hours to a half an hour before the game,” Houghton said.

On an average day, ISU Center parking lots are empty. When game time arrives, that parking is reserved for athletics department donors, Houghton said.

Some public parking is available south, east and west of the stadium, but there is $3 fee for cars and $6 fee for recreation vehicles. Houghton said historically there have been complaints about people parking in the residential area west of the stadium, but there haven’t been any this year.

Brad Bushman, a faculty member, has lived in the residential area west of the stadium for two years.

Bushman, of 2007 Friley Road, said people park in the yellow areas around his driveway during game day. After the cars have left, beer cans and wrappers remain behind, he said.

Bushman suggests more parking to solve the problem. “More high-level parking lots would be the most desirable, not only around the stadium but on campus as well,” he said.

In an effort to create more parking, the university is allowing the public to park on the lawn near and around the stadium for a $3 fee.

“It’s really a shame to see all of those cars parked on the grass right across the street on Beach Avenue next to the bike trial,” Bushman said.

Signs were placed around the stadium area to help with the shuffle of game day traffic. Houghton said the signs have helped, but the “reality is we need more.”

In the future, Houghton said electronic signs may be used. With the current signs, the information of whether a parking lot is full may change as game time approaches.

Overall, Houghton said DPS hasn’t experienced any major game day parking problems this year.

With only one home game completed this year, Bushman said game day parking in his area has been similar to that of last year.