Blogs

In this four-part Parkonomics series for Urban Land, Kevin Bopp, Bernard Lee, and Andrew Sachs, CAPP, examine how parking facilities must evolve to remain viable in a rapidly changing mobility landscape

We received so many great responses to the March/April 2026 question that we wanted to share them all!

During the webinar, panelists discussed current AI applications in parking and mobility operations, emphasizing that AI should be viewed as a tool rather than a complete solution, particularly strong in data processing, pattern recognition, and automation. They addressed challenges such as data privacy, regulatory compliance, and the need for human oversight, along with risks like AI hallucinations and the importance of accurate data inputs. The conversation highlighted AI’s growing role in customer service, appeals processing, revenue management, and development. Panelists also noted that while AI will increase productivity, it is more likely to create new opportunities than eliminate jobs. Looking ahead 3–5 years, they expressed excitement about AI’s potential but stressed the need for nimble partners and strong guardrails as the technology continues to evolve rapidly.

The transition to a fully Automated Parking Access and Revenue Control System (PARCS) offers many benefits, but it also comes with a set of significant drawbacks that organizations must consider.

It’s a busy Saturday lunchtime, and your city parking lot is filling up fast. EV chargers are occupied, rideshare drop-offs are backing up, and drivers are stuck in line at the ticket machine, wondering why they can’t just pay by phone. Your decade-old parking system isn’t broken. It’s doing exactly what it was designed to do. The trouble is that consumer expectations have changed.

This blog wraps up my thoughts on applying critical thinking to new employee onboarding and on-the-job training. I will describe an example of how I would apply critical thinking training to a session for new employees. My example will be training the employees on the importance of customer service.

The Learning Lab session highlighted how HONK and UC Davis transformed campus parking through a daily decision model and digital payments. UC Davis replaced physical permits with a virtual system managing 1,000 to 2,000 daily parking permits and supporting 23,000 daily bike trips. HONK’s single sign-on integration prevents credential sharing and supports complex affiliate and labor contract rates. The team also implemented flexible event pricing and completed a highly coordinated rollout. The system has reduced congestion, maintained affordability, and achieved 70 percent digital wallet adoption.

Being a frontline staff person can sometimes test your faith in people. You will inevitably be presented with stories that might not be truthful, particularly if it involves people getting out of paying their fee. It doesn’t take long for frontline staff and supervisors to become jaded and mistrustful. How do you tell if this is just another story? And more importantly, how are you going to respond to them?

For many travelers, the journey doesn’t begin at the boarding gate; it starts in the parking garage. Transitioning to a fully automated Parking Access and Revenue Control System (PARCS) is no longer just a luxury for airports—it is a strategic necessity that balances operational excellence with passenger satisfaction.

Adrienne shared strategies for shifting parking enforcement from rigid rule enforcement to customer-focused solutions, emphasizing education over punishment and empowering officers with field discretion. She highlighted initiatives at Kansas State University, including a donations-for-citations program, vehicle inspections, and alternative resolution options. The presentation reinforced treating parking officers as ambassadors rather than enforcers and encouraged attendees to adopt service-oriented approaches in their own operations. The session concluded with a Q and A covering uniform standards, email communication, and faculty parking expectations.

Climate risk, particularly severe weather, is becoming an increasingly important factor in how parking and mobility infrastructure is designed and how vehicles are insured and protected. Hail is one of the costliest and most disruptive weather threats facing vehicle-centric infrastructure in the United States. As vehicles with panoramic glass roofs, advanced sensors, and EV components become increasingly technologically complex and expensive to repair, the financial impact of hail damage continues to grow. At the same time, insurers are responding with higher premiums, stricter underwriting, and more stringent requirements for proactive mitigation.

In my previous blog, I talked about the importance of onboarding and introduced critical thinking and scenario-based training as very important considerations when it comes to preparing new workers. I want to provide a few specifics about critical thinking and how it can be effectively delivered by the trainer.