We received so great responses to the January/February 2026 question that we wanted to share them all! Click here to see the responses listed in Parking & Mobility magazine, and then read on for more great thoughts!
How can parking and mobility organizations prepare today for the technologies and trends that will define the industry tomorrow?
Andrew Stewart, Associate Director, University California Riverside, Transportation Services
Be open to discovering how you can use technology in more flexible ways. Electric vehicle charging subscriptions are not that different than monthly parking permits. Do you need separate systems? You might create large savings by using single technologies for multiple needs.
Gabe Mendez, Director of Transportation Operations, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Before chasing the latest tech trends, organizations need to take a hard look at themselves. If you don’t know what works—and what doesn’t—for your staff and customers right now, how can you be sure that a new solution will actually make things better?
Start by identifying your strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. This foundation will help you evaluate whether emerging technologies are truly appropriate and beneficial for your organization—not just shiny distractions.
Rachel Lemkow, Marketing Director, HONK
It’s easy to get caught up in trends and the next big “thing,” but at the end of the day, it’s pretty simple: it’s not about technology for the sake of technology — it’s about what will meet the needs of your customers today and 90, 120, or 365 days from now. That’s why it matters to choose technology built on a horizontal, flexible foundation so it can grow and adapt with your customers and communities as things change (and they always do!).
Henry Broback, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Plix AI Body Cameras
Challenge current and future technology partners to solve your problems simply. Leading solutions have a clear, data driven justification of how they make people safer, more efficient, improve customer service, or solve other core problems that exist today.
Scott Petri, President, Mobility & Parking Advisors, LLC
Obtaining several demonstrations prior to preparing an RFP or specifications, is wise in order to ensure the technology has the latest features necessary for your operations always confirm important in integrations as part of your review process
Tope Longe, Consultant, Walker Consultants
The parking and mobility sector is rapidly evolving as technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, electrification, and dynamic curbside management set the trends and reshape the industry. To remain competitive and future-ready, organizations must proactively align their capabilities with these emerging trends. This requires strengthening technology awareness, investing in scalable digital systems, and critically transforming the workforce to support data-driven, technology-enabled operations and services. Developing competencies in data literacy, customer solutions, technology integration, and cybersecurity is essential, supported by continuous learning to keep pace with innovation.
Operational effectiveness will also depend on establishing cross-functional mobility teams that integrate parking, transit, planning, and IT to enable coordinated, efficient service delivery. Additionally, expanding partnerships with transit agencies, DOTs, universities, airports, and industry associations such as TRB and IPMI will enhance shared planning, research, and strategic alignment. Above all, a customer-centric approach must guide all technology and service decisions, ensuring solutions remain accessible, relevant, and responsive to user needs.
Brian Shaw, Consultant, Kimley-Horn
When I was in an operating role, I made sure to attend conferences, webinars, met with technology vendors and talked with peers, to keep abreast of what is working and perhaps not working for technology. Also, you should manage your organization’s data for sales, occupancy, and citations by location, day and time, to understand the trends in their operations.
Zac Ryan, General Manager, Ground Transportation & Parking, Calgary Airports
To prepare for the technologies and trends that will shape the parking and mobility industry, organizations must adopt a proactive and future-focused approach. Attending conferences and networking with peers is essential for sharing insights, discussing common challenges, and exploring technology-driven solutions. Beyond that, organizations should embrace data-driven decision-making by investing in systems that capture real-time information and enable predictive analytics. A long-term strategic plan that incorporates digital transformation—such as mobile-first platforms, frictionless entry, and integrated payment systems—will position businesses for success.
Sustainability and EV readiness should also be prioritized, with investments in charging infrastructure and green initiatives. Exploring emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles and micro-mobility through pilot programs can help organizations adapt quickly.
Finally, don’t be afraid to take calculated risks or to go first! Innovation often requires bold moves backed by thoughtful planning and analysis. By combining these strategies, parking and mobility organizations can confidently navigate the future and lead the industry forward.
Perry H Eggleston, Senior Manager, Universities, Modii Inc.
Successful organizations develop an operational model based on people, technology, and data analysis. Always keep yourself and your team current with industry trends, update your technology plan accordingly, and use aggregated data analysis to measure where you started and where you are going.
Andrew Sachs, President, Gateway Parking Services
Stop building static car storage; the future is dynamic “mobility hubs” that ensure profitability in the next five years, not thirty. The core defense against obsolescence is a ruthless commitment to the “digital backbone”: ample conduit, expandable power, and open-API platforms for EVs, AVs, and MaaS. Fail to invest in this invisible infrastructure today, and your asset will quickly transform from a potential revenue center into a depreciating liability facing prohibitive retrofitting costs tomorrow.
Brian Favela, Director, University of South Carolina
Invest in building a data and AI competent team! Training your staff on analytics and dashboards is just the surface of this approach. AI is not a trend, it’s here to stay, and we need to ensure our teams are well-prepared to leverage its full potential. If you have not, it’s time to rewrite your playbook!
Katherine Beaty, President, Beaty Solutions
The organizations that win the future of parking and mobility won’t be the ones with the flashiest tech; they’ll be the ones building the muscle today to adapt quickly, integrate cleanly, and communicate clearly. Preparing for tomorrow means treating data as a strategic asset and creating systems flexible enough to evolve as mobility needs shift. The real competitive edge is adaptability, not prediction.
Jason M. Jones, Director – Parking & Mass Transit Services, University at Albany: SUNY
Parking and mobility organizations can prepare for tomorrow’s technologies by building flexibility into the choices they make today, diversifying equipment and technology partners to avoid over‑reliance on any single vendor or platform. Shorter‑term or more flexible contracts help organizations stay nimble while longer‑term agreements should include clear upgrade paths and performance benchmarks to prevent stagnation. Ultimately, the organizations that design adaptable ecosystems rather than locking themselves into rigid, all‑in systems will be best positioned to integrate emerging capabilities, respond to shifting trends, and lead rather than react.
Maggie Vercoe, Chief Operating Officer, TEZ Technology
Parking and mobility organizations can prepare for the future by building flexible, digital-first foundations that are adapting to evolving tech. Investing in data integration and open platforms enables smarter decisions, dynamic pricing, and seamless customer experiences across modes. Organizations should pilot emerging technologies pragmatically, focusing on measurable outcomes rather than hype. Just as importantly, investing in people and partnerships ensures readiness for regulatory, environmental, and behavioral change.
Laura Caillot, Managing Director, Survision
Parking and mobility organizations are surrounded by buzzwords today. Some familiar, like LPR, curb management, and dynamic pricing, and others newer, such as AI, gateless systems, and data.
The key to preparing for the future is not choosing one over another, but understanding that no single technology, on its own, is sufficient.
LPR alone is not enough. Data alone is not enough. And AI, by itself, is certainly not the answer. The real transformation happens at the intersection of these technologies, when they are thoughtfully combined and aligned around a common purpose.
That purpose should be the driver experience. Every organization in our industry ultimately serves the same customer: the driver. And that customer is also us. We all park every day, yet it’s easy to forget that parking is a shared experience across cities, operators, technology providers, and mobility stakeholders.
Preparing for tomorrow means investing today in integrated, flexible systems that connect technology, data, and operations to remove friction for drivers. Organizations that focus on interoperability and customer-centric design will be best positioned to adapt as technologies evolve and to deliver the seamless, intuitive parking experience that the future demands.
Lisa Copeland, Associate Director for Data & Administration, Old Dominion University Transportation & Parking Services
Understanding what innovations are leading the charge today with efficiency improvements, expanded capabilities, and the generation of new business models will support organizational investment in flexible and scalable infrastructure, data-driven systems, and professional development in preparation for what the future holds in technology and trends.
Sheryl Boyd, Assistant Director, Parking & Transportation Services, Chapman University
You must stay engaged and study to stay abreast of innovations impacting our operations. With budget constraints facing many organizations, Higher Ed in particular, you must be actively engaged in seeking out knowledge, and not just in the parking and transportation industry, but trends in Ai, software, sustainability, etc. Look at pain points in your current operation that would benefit from greater efficiency or better customer service. While the next new thing may not provide the return on investment your institution is looking for, you do not want to be left in a scenario where your equipment or operating system becomes obsolete leaving you with little or no options or time to transition your operation. Stay connected with like organizations, take advantage of opportunities to participate in webinars, and read.
Cameron Lang, Territory Sales Manager, HotSpot Parking, an affiliated company of Arcadis U.S. Inc. (“Arcadis”)
I suggest that parking and mobility organizations consider adopting unified digital platforms to streamline payments, permits, and enforcement, moving beyond outdated hardware and manual systems. By harnessing real-time data and mobile communications, agencies can not only boost revenue and compliance but also enhance the customer experience—setting the stage for smarter and more adaptive urban mobility. Investing today in scalable, cloud-enabled solutions can help organizations stay flexible and ready for future innovations, such as connected vehicles, dynamic pricing, and seamless multimodal travel, ensuring they remain at the forefront of an ever-evolving industry.
Chuck Boddy, Chief, Parking Management Division, Revenue Authority of Prince George’s County
Stay active in the industry, keep an open mind, and think outside of the box. I think the next 5-10 years will bring the most technological changes our industry has ever seen.
Brooke Krieger, Regional Sales Director, Arrive
The best way to prepare for tomorrow’s technology is to start behaving like the future is already here. That means piloting innovations, modernizing procurement, and building a culture that rewards experimentation as much as execution.
Kelsey Owens, VP, Account Management, IPS
Think of your parking operation as a smartphone that thrives on constant updates. Embrace data analytics as your new standard for decision-making, equip your team with adaptive enforcement and digital permitting tech, and make paying to park seamless with tools like Text-to-Pay. It’s as easy as sending an emoji! With innovation as a daily habit, you’ll cruise into the future of parking.
Lynn Wiggs, Director, Texas A&M University Transportation Services
Things are changing at a rapid pace. The best option is to absorb the information for each trend as it becomes available and work to forecast what our campus will adopt or lean into as the next big thing. Also looking at our infrastructure and how we continue to modify it preparing for how it will be impacted.
Scott C. Bauman, Manager of Parking & Mobility, City of Aurora, Colorado
Parking and mobility organizations should be taking strategic planning steps now to address certain future technology integration(s). In addition, they should be implementing smart financial planning for scalable business growth and building flexibility into all operational areas to adapt to emerging trends to ensure a strong future business position.