An Interview with Larry Cohen about The Quirky World of Parking
Larry Cohen, CAPP, discusses his new book, The Quirky World of Parking.
Tag Archives: technology
Which Technology to Choose?
By Tom Wunk, CAPP
The parking industry, like many other industries, has been profoundly impacted by the pandemic. This catastrophic event occurred as the parking industry was–and continues to be–engaged in a technological transformation. While no one can predict the ultimate “new normal” outcome post-pandemic, it is a certainty that technology will continue to embed itself in almost every aspect of our lives, including travel and mobility. As such, understanding technology and the efficiencies and advantages that can be achieved is an important element for a parking and mobility professional, particularly those in decision-making positions.
While it is easy to become enamored with “new and shiny,” it is important to remain as objective as possible when considering a new and/or different technology for your operation. One must first identify a goal to achieve, determine how that goal will affect your business model, and figure out if there is a technological solution that will allow you to achieve that goal. Should you need to cut down five trees in your backyard and you purchase a Dremel because of great marketing and a clever demonstration at the local box store, you will be highly disappointed in the ultimate result. Sounds far-fetched, yet there are hundreds of examples of misapplied products and technology that exist today.
The CAPP Technology Course is not meant to solve this dilemma. What it will do is provide several fundamentals that should help you in decision processing when considering new or different technologies for your operation.
Tom Wunk, CAPP, will teach the two-day Analysis and Application of Technology course online March 9 and 11; the course aligns with Domain IV of the CAPP exam and attendees will earn 4 CAPP points or .4 CEUs. For details and to register, click here.
The Parking Podcast E44: An Interview with Andrew Vidor and a Conversation about Staying Connected
An Interview with Andrew Vidor and a Conversation about Staying Connected
Andrew Vidor, Director of Planning with Walker Consultants, discusses how SWPTA has kept its members engaged.
Breaking Down Parking and Mobility Silos
By Laurens Eckelboom
While the parking industry has always been consumer-driven, there’s little doubt that the consumers in question want more. Consider the parker: The same person who can receive online goods and groceries in a matter of days, even hours. They can instantly stream movies, TV shows, podcasts, and music into their homes, cars, and mobile phones. They can shortlist potential romantic partners in real time with a simple swipe right. Should it be any surprise that they want to safely park at a convenient location for the best price available to them? Of course, they do. But as service providers, are we there yet?
Before the pandemic disrupted operations, the parking industry was already undergoing an era of drastic change. Technology providers, parking reservation platforms, location services, and more were starting to—lot by lot, space by space—rethink the parking experience as part of the overall customer journey. Multiple parties separately solved a part of the process, making it savvier and more convenient. As we soon move towards operations in a post-pandemic environment, a sum of independent solutions will likely not meet our customers’ demands for today, and much less their desires for tomorrow.
The renowned Czech-Canadian scientist and policy analyst, Vaclav Smil, said, “Collaboration and augmentation are the foundational principles of innovation.” Imagine what we could achieve if we, as an industry, collectively ideated and innovated with a broad bevy of perspectives, resources, and data at our disposal. Our diversity in experience paired with an alignment in vision would not only lead to measurable progress, but it would also assert our ability to thrive.
Laurens Eckelboom is ParkHub’s chief revenue officer. He and Michael Back, Honk’s founder and CEO, will present “How Collaborative Technologies Will Help Drive Safety-First Parking Solutions” at IPMI’s Innovation and Mobility Summit online, Feb. 24 and 25. Click here for details and to register.
The Parking Podcast E42: An Interview with Jim Gibbs and a Conversation about Pay By Vehicle
An Interview with Jim Gibbs and a Conversation about Pay By Vehicle
Jim Gibbs, CEO and Co-Founder of Meter Feeder, discusses mobile payments, pricing the curb and pay by vehicle.
The Parking Podcast E41: An Interview with Carl Schneeman, PE and a Conversation about Snow Removal
An Interview with Carl Schneeman and a Conversation about Snow Removal
Carl Schneeman, PE, with Walker Consultants discusses snow removal, snow best practices, and parking design.
The Parking Podcast E40: An Interview with VADE and a Conversation about Connecting the Curb
An Interview with VADE and a Conversation about Connecting the Curb
Christian Burke, Ritwik Pavan, and Matty Schaefer of VADE discuss Connecting the Curb with VADE.
Changing the Culture of Parking Patrons
By Keith Kennedy, CAPP
After the course of many years and a consistent way of doing business, accepting changes can be challenging. The steadfast culture of how things are perceived or how they “should be” is a roadblock that must be taken down. As new technologies come into play, organizations have to think about how they can help their patrons accept the cultural change that is happening.
My organization moved to more automated parking. This brought the need to see it from the patrons’ point of view. The culture that had been “stop at the booth and give the attendant money and exit” totally changed. The change will propel our organization into a much more flexible and efficient operation, but how do we change that old culture among our customers?
We understood that some patrons are not technology savvy and they were very used to the way things were. So, how could we help the patrons? What could we use that would add value and change that old culture? We simply used what we already had: great employees who already knew the customers. We repurposed our booth attendants to be true parking ambassadors, teaching and helping the patrons as they are experiencing the new culture of the parking. A new way of thinking helped everyone succeed with change.
Keith Kennedy, CAPP, is parking operations supervisor with the City of Durham, N.C.
August 17: Cybersecurity Online Instructor-Led Course
Register here for this event. $150 for IPMI Members.
Non-Members may attend for a $300 registration fee. Click the register link above to attend as a non-member.
Online Instructor Led Course: Analysis and Application of Technology, March 11, 2021
Register here for this event. $150 for IPMI Members.
This course is a two-day course. March 9 and 11.
Non-Members may attend for a $250 registration fee. Click the register link above to attend as a non-member. Need help logging in?
Contact us at professionaldevelopment@parking-mobility.org.
This course is about the development and introduction of new technology in all aspects of our lives that are happening at a pace never experienced before. This is certainly true in how we manage and conduct business in the parking and mobility sector. In this session we will discuss new and emerging technologies, the associated advantages and disadvantages, factors to be determined when considering implementing technology, and what constitutes a successful implementation. This aligns with content in Domain VI of the CAPP Exam Content Outline.
At the completion of this course you will be able to:
- Evaluate new technology to become a ‘smart consumer’.
- Recite your business model including how new technology fits into your organization.
- Determine a need before selecting a solution.
- Craft an effective plan for the consideration and implementation of technology.
Offer 4 CAPP points or .4 CEUs towards application or recertification
Instructor:
Tom Wunk, CAPP
Tom was Vice President of Sales Engineering PARCS Solutions for T2 Systems and has been in the parking control industry since 1973. He is a Certified Administrator of Public Parking. A product of the State University of New York system, he has developed and provided training presentations for the IPMI, ASIS, PIE, and the AAAE. He is a member of the IPMI Technology Committee, the IPMI Educational Committee, the Smart Card Alliance, and the EMV Migration Forum.