They may have to be able to locate people, and they I'll bet there's some regulation about "no more than X number of people to X square feet."

I tried to think of some way they could have done it so people could choose campsites, and I couldn't come up with anything better. People could pick a site at the gate, but that isn't fair to those who can't get out of work early. There might not be any of the right-sized spots left in the preferred area when a person did get there. I can't see how this new policy could help the festival organizers at all it seems to add quite a bit of work for them.

One thing I WON'T mind is not having to worry about finding a spot. They open the gates earlier every year, and I just can't get there early enough to get a good spot.