Community

Here are more of UWM Transportation Services' favorite local picks to help you experience the city like a pro.

Here is a list of parks and great outdoors, food and drinks, coffee, ice cream, & activities to experience during your conference trip!

A few months ago, my college, Schoolcraft College, hosted a business pitch competition. Intrigued by the opportunity, I immediately opened the Notes app on my phone -- where I had been collecting ideas for years -- and began revisiting one concept that had stuck with me: an interoperability platform for parking.

One of the unique aspects of the parking and mobility industry is how relationship-driven it is. Over time, professionals begin to see the same people across conferences, committees, and industry discussions. In many ways, the industry functions as a close professional community where reputation and relationships travel quickly.

Larry J. Cohen, PTMP has signed on as an Executive Producer with a successful TV & Film production company to help develop a documentary style series that takes a look behind the most misunderstood & underestimated forces in urban infrastructure: Parking Enforcement!

The International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) has joined the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, marking a continued commitment to accessibility and inclusion across the parking and mobility sector.

Only a few days have passed since our campus was shaken, and yet it feels as if time has stretched and folded in on itself. I’ve watched our faculty, staff, and students move through these days with a heaviness that’s hard to put into words. What we’re feeling isn’t just grief — it’s a deep, disorienting devastation that touches every corner of our routines and relationships.

In The Shoup Doctrine: Essays Celebrating Donald Shoup and Parking Reforms, edited by Daniel Baldwin Hess, 37 city planners, economists, journalists, and parking professionals analyze three major parking reforms proposed by Donald Shoup, a Distinguished Research Professor of Urban Planning at UCLA.

The City of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is expanding its SafetyStick® program after a successful first year of automated parking enforcement in high-risk curbside locations. What began as a small deployment of 10 devices downtown has grown into one of Municipal Parking Services’ flagship SafetyStick® programs, with the city now operating 42 units and planning to add 20 more in the coming months. The initiative focuses on illegal parking that creates safety hazards rather than routine meter enforcement. SafetySticks monitor handicap spaces, bus stops, fire hydrants, corners, commercial loading zones and other restricted areas where blocked access can put people at risk or slow emergency response. Proven Results in the First Year In a little over a year of operation, Wilkes-Barre’s SafetyStick® program has generated 9,883 citations for parking violations, uncovering the true scale of unsafe, previously under-enforced activity at key locations. Over that same period, the city received $126,135 in revenue from citations issued through the SafetyStick® program. Just as important as the revenue, city leaders report that citation volumes in the earliest deployment zones have begun to drop as drivers change their behavior. Fewer violations in those original locations suggest that motorists are learning to avoid unsafe stopping and parking where SafetySticks are installed, even as new devices are added in other areas. Expanding to School-Adjacent Corridors As the program has grown, Wilkes-Barre has pushed beyond the downtown core to address additional safety priorities and annoyance parking. New SafetySticks are being installed along Old River Road near Kistler Elementary School, where vehicles were previously parking on grassy areas and blocking sight lines when children were arriving and leaving. “By extending automated enforcement to school-adjacent corridors, the city aims to keep pick-up and drop-off zones clear and reduce risky driver behavior during the busiest times of day for pedestrians,” said Robert Sliker, head of parking enforcement. “We have parking enforcement officers, but they can’t be everywhere,” Mayor George Brown said in a recent interview with FOX56. A Safety-First Model for Other Cities Wilkes-Barre’s experience shows how cities can pair automated enforcement with a clear safety narrative to build public understanding and long-term compliance. Key elements of the city’s approach include: Starting with obvious safety hazards such as hydrants, corners, handicap spaces and bus stops to demonstrate why enforcement is needed. Using solar-powered, AI-enabled devices to provide continuous monitoring without major capital projects or added staff. Framing the program as a public safety initiative that protects residents, schoolchildren and emergency responders rather than a purely revenue-driven effort. Expanding in phases as results, community awareness and internal comfort with the technology grow. With dozens of devices already delivering strong results and additional SafetySticks on the way, Wilkes-Barre has become a leading example of how automated enforcement can improve safety, strengthen compliance and support city budgets at the same time. 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.

Anchorage, AK – The Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA), through its EasyPark division, is excited to announce the launch of the Park It Forward: Downtown Anchorage Grant Program—a bold new initiative that reinvests parking meter revenue into local projects that spark energy, creativity, and life in downtown Anchorage. “This is more than a grant—it’s a promise that every quarter dropped into a meter supports our community,” said Mike Robbins, Executive Director of ACDA. “Park It Forward strengthens the heart of our city by putting public dollars back into public spaces.” Through this new program, EasyPark will award grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 to local nonprofits, small businesses, and community groups for projects like murals, events, beautification, and public activations. The goal: fuel community-led ideas that make downtown more vibrant and engaging. “The Park It Forward initiative is a fantastic example of what can happen when we think creatively about our municipal resources and take proactive steps to invest in our future,” said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. “It’s a clear win for our community as we work together to revitalize downtown and build a more dynamic and thriving Anchorage for all.” $6.1 Million and Counting Since 2002, ACDA and EasyPark have invested over $6.1 million directly back into the community—supporting beautification, infrastructure upgrades, public art, and partnerships that keep Anchorage’s downtown thriving. Park It Forward builds on that legacy by empowering locals to bring their ideas to life. Built on Community Voice The program is directly shaped by findings from ACDA’s Downtown Community Survey, where 747 respondents called for: More public art and murals Vibrant public spaces and creative events A stronger, people-first downtown identity Apply Now Applications are now open at www.easyparkalaska.com/grants from September 18 - October 9, 2025. Awards will be announced within 4 weeks of the cycle closing. For more information or assistance with your application, contact Melinda Gant at mgant@acda.net.

I have been fortunate to hear from many city officials about their views on parking and its influence on overall livability, growth, and economic development in their communities. At the inaugural Midwest Parking & Mobility Association Conference, recently held in Kansas City, Missouri, attendees were welcomed by Deputy City Manager Kimiko Black Gilmore, who shared the following positive message: As Deputy City Manager and Executive Director of Convention and Entertainment Facilities, I wear a couple of hats that make me especially appreciative of this moment. Whether it’s managing large-scale events at our convention center or helping guide long-term city strategy, I’ve seen firsthand how essential parking and mobility are—not just to logistics, but to quality of life, economic growth, and our collective ability to welcome people into public spaces. Here in Kansas City, we embrace the complexity of parking. We know it’s not just about where you leave your car—it’s about how people move through a city, how we support local businesses, and how we create environments that are accessible, equitable, and sustainable. We also know it’s a balancing act. On one hand, we value convenience—especially when it comes to supporting small businesses and neighborhood destinations. On the other, we understand that the expectation of free parking often clashes with the very real need to charge in order to keep vehicles moving and make space for more people to access what our city has to offer. It's about turnover, fairness, and reinvestment. Like many cities, we are navigating this space thoughtfully. Whether it’s through dynamic pricing, modernizing infrastructure, or incorporating more multimodal options into our planning—we are learning, adjusting, and striving to do what’s right for our residents, our businesses, and our visitors. So, while parking may not always be glamorous, it is critical. It’s the first impression we make and often the last interaction someone has with our city. That’s why your work matters so much. By all accounts, Kansas City’s leadership clearly understands the critical role parking plays, and the value that parking professionals bring to the table. It is so refreshing to hear! Shawn Conrad, CAE, is the CEO of IPMI.

A powerful new force is emerging in the parking and mobility industry: Mobility Pathfinders, a nonprofit association dedicated to supporting and advancing women across the sector. Founded by a group of dynamic industry leaders, Mobility Pathfinders was created to close the gender gap and build a future where women at every level can lead, connect, and thrive. The founding Board of Directors includes: President – Adrienne Tucker, Director of Parking & Transportation, Kansas State University Vice President – Dulce Gomez, Assistant Parking Manager, City of Pasadena Vice President – Kathleen Laney, President, Laney Solutions Secretary – Alyssa Alt, Public Works Division Manager – Parking, City of Colorado Springs Treasurer – Anneliese Allgeyer, Chief Administrative Officer, DESIGNA Chief Programming Officer – Dr. Tanara Teal-Tate, Executive Director of Parking & Transportation, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Mobility Pathfinders was born from a shared commitment to reshape the industry by fostering a supportive, inclusive community for women. The organization is focused on growing the pipeline of female talent, creating career-defining opportunities, and inspiring the next generation of leaders. A free webinar will be held on August 11, 2025, at 1 PM ET / 11 AM PT to officially introduce Mobility Pathfinders and highlight what’s ahead. Registration is available on the Mobility Pathfinders website or through this link. Adrienne Tucker, President of Mobility Pathfinders, shared: “The parking and mobility industry is a critical part of how our cities move and function. Women’s contributions are essential, yet too often overlooked. Mobility Pathfinders is here to change that by providing the support, resources, and connections women need to succeed and lead.” Dulce Gomez, Vice President, added: “Mobility Pathfinders is about more than closing the gender gap it’s about creating real, lasting change. I’m proud to be part of an organization that’s committed to elevating women’s voices and making our industry stronger and more inclusive.” Kathleen Laney, Vice President, echoed the excitement: “The enthusiasm from across the industry has been incredible. People recognize the need for something like this, and the response has validated everything we hoped Mobility Pathfinders could be.” In the weeks ahead, Mobility Pathfinders will share more about its programs, from the Wayfinder Mentorship Program and professional development opportunities to industry networking and member-led initiatives that celebrate women's stories and achievements. Stay connected with the movement at mobilitypathfinders.org and follow Mobility Pathfinders on LinkedIn and other social media for the latest updates. Changing the industry. One pathfinder at a time.