Join NEPTC for their Annual Conference in Providence, RI, September 28-30, 2026.

The Hill Country destination of Fredericksburg, Texas, may have only about 12,000 residents, but it welcomes roughly 1.5 million visitors a year who come for its wineries, walkable Main Street and small-town charm. With 84 wineries in and around the community and a compact historic downtown, legal curb space is at a premium, especially near tasting rooms, restaurants and hotels. The City of Fredericksburg has installed 11 MPS SafetyStick® devices in some of its most sensitive curbside locations. The initial deployment, completed on August 26, focuses on prohibited parking zones and fire hydrants, where blocked access can slow emergency response and create dangerous conflicts between drivers and pedestrians. With only 37 full-time police officers, city leaders were looking for a way to extend their enforcement reach without pulling officers away from higher-priority calls. The SafetyStick® uses solar power, motion detectors and cameras to monitor no-parking areas and provide clear, time-stamped photo evidence of violations that local authorities can review and act on. “Illegal parking undermines the efforts of those who work hard and follow the rules, signaling that laws can be disregarded,” Lt. Seelig said. “The SafetyStick strengthens our ability to deter illegal parking and enforce compliance with parking regulations.” Fredericksburg selected MPS based on the company’s story and patented innovations in parking enforcement, as well as its track record helping other communities protect critical curb space in no parking zones, at bus stops, in bike lanes and around fire lanes. The SafetyStick® is designed as a force multiplier that supports existing enforcement staff, improves compliance in problem zones and makes it easier for residents, visitors and first responders to move through busy corridors. The new SafetySticks are expected to reduce illegal parking near hydrants and other restricted zones and to free up scarce legal spaces for people who are visiting Main Street, tasting rooms and other attractions. Over time, the Fredericksburg deployment will add another case study to the growing list of tourism destinations that are using smart, solar powered enforcement to keep streets safer and parking fairer for everyone. About Municipal Parking Services (MPS) Municipal Parking Services Inc. (MPS) is a pioneer in AI-driven enforcement and compliance technologies. Since 2013, MPS has leveraged its unique platform to deliver cloud-connected parking and safety solutions that reduce illegal parking, increase compliance, and improve safety outcomes. MPS solutions use embedded AI to automate license plate recognition, dynamic pricing, zone monitoring, and enforcement, creating safer, smarter communities. The company partners with leading safety organizations, including Vision Zero, IPMI, IACLEA, and IACP. Headquartered in Austin, Texas. Learn more at www.mpspark.com.

Seattle, WA — Turnstone, the leading provider of parking and mobility data insights and planning solutions, announced that Cole Jaillet has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. In his new role, Jaillet will lead Turnstone’s strategic vision, product innovation, and continued expansion as the company helps parking owners, operators, and municipalities better understand and optimize how parking assets are used. In 2025, Turnstone demonstrated unprecedented growth, tripling its client base. “Data is the essential ingredient to successful parking planning in the 2020s, and Turnstone sits at the intersection of data, mobility, and the built environment,” said Jaillet. “I’m excited to step into this role and continue working with our talented team to deliver the clarity and intelligence that public and private owners and operators need to make better decisions about parking and transportation.” Since joining Turnstone, Jaillet has played a key role in the company’s extraordinary growth. His leadership has focused on translating complex parking data into actionable insights that support smarter planning, improved operations, and stronger financial performance. Jaillet joined Turnstone in September 2024 as Executive Vice President. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Product at Passport Parking, where he led product strategy and development. “Turnstone’s remarkable growth is indicative of the vital role data plays in the parking and mobility industry today,” said Jaillet. “Cities and private owners and operators face increasing pressure to reduce costs and operate more efficiently, and Turnstone helps by providing real-world insights that can be turned into actionable management and policy decisions.” Jaillet is a resident of Charlestown, Massachusetts. About Turnstone Turnstone is a leading provider of advanced parking data insights that help cities and private operators understand how parking assets are actually used. By turning raw mobility data into clear, actionable insights, Turnstone enables smarter planning, better policy decisions, and more efficient use of existing infrastructure. Learn more at www.turnstonedata.com.

In 2023 my home state of Minnesota adopted the “Safety Stop” or “Idaho Stop” for bicycles.  This allows bicycles to treat a stop sign like a yield sign.  So if no one is coming, the bike can roll through the intersection.  It was interesting to hear the feedback from regular vehicle commuters who’s first reaction was often along the lines of, “That can’t be safe.  Why do bicycles get to break the law?”  While there is a good amount of data to show that overall this is safer for cyclists, another advantage is better flow for regular vehicles.   When presenting information to groups of people that you are trying to convince it is helpful to frame it with the benefits to the individual person.  Someone that hasn’t commuted on a bicycle and maybe hasn’t ridden one since childhood probably doesn’t think much about how traffic flows with bicycles.   So the next time someone says bikes should obey all of the traffic laws of a car, ask them to think about a situation where they are behind a bike. With a safety stop, the bike is able to proceed through the intersection and is out of their way before they need to navigate the intersection.  They don’t need to wait behind the bike as it stops, then gets going again, possibly a little more wobbly for a few feet until they are out of the way and you are able to navigate the intersection. For thoughtful motorists, understanding the positive benefits to themselves and overall traffic flow can help turn them into allies. Ben Schnabel, PTMP, is an Assistant Director for Parking Operations at the University of Minnesota. Ben can be reached at schna015@umn.edu.