Digital Parking Tech

Over the last decade, parking technology has evolved at a faster rate than in any other period of history. The IPMI Technology Committee has been there every step of the way, helping the parking and mobility community navigate through the lightning-fast changes. This session took a retrospective look at the evolution of parking technology by revisiting our past Technology Committee presentations, exploring how various parking technologies were developed, identifying the catalysts that facilitated their adoption, and the barriers that hindered others.

If there’s one thing the UK parking sector has taught me, it’s this: the best technology doesn’t work in isolation. When systems speak to each other, from cashless platforms to ANPR to enforcement tools, the result is a smoother journey for the user and far less friction for the operator. But here in the US, I’ve noticed that this kind of integration isn’t always the norm. In fact, many parking operations are being held back by siloed systems that don’t share data, don’t connect, and don’t evolve. It’s time to change that. The Challenge of Disconnected Systems Over the last decade in the UK, I’ve witnessed a quiet revolution in how parking tech works behind the scenes. Operators moved from clunky, standalone tools to integrated platforms that unify enforcement, payments, permits, and reporting. And the benefits were immediate: reduced manual input, fewer disputes, better compliance rates, and, crucially, an improved user experience. Since working in the US, I’m hearing familiar stories of fragmented workflows. A motorist pays to park via one app, but that data doesn’t flow through to the enforcement team’s handheld device. A permit is issued in one back office, while citations are managed in another. Operators are stuck manually reconciling systems that should be working in concert. This isn’t just inconvenient, it’s operationally risky. Disconnected systems can lead to erroneous enforcement, a poor public perception, and significant resource drain. As enforcement becomes more complex and user expectations rise, it’s no longer enough to have ‘good enough’ systems. They have to work together and be able to be configured. The Power of an Integrated Approach Achieving seamless integration isn't merely about adding a new feature to existing software; it's about adopting a fundamental shift in how parking operations are conceived and managed. It means moving towards open, configurable systems that prioritize interoperability. This approach allows operators to connect various existing tools and data sources, rather than requiring a complete overhaul. The goal is to create a cohesive ecosystem where all components communicate effectively, optimizing efficiency and accuracy. Why This Matters for the US As US cities and private operators modernize, there’s a real opportunity to leapfrog the fragmented model and move straight to smart, connected systems. Integration-ready platforms don’t just manage enforcement — they enable better collaboration between data sources, departments, and vendors. From the curb to the control room, the value of a unified system is hard to ignore: fewer errors, better accountability, and systems that scale with your operation, not against it. And as we look ahead to the 2025 IPMI Conference & Expo in Louisville, I’m excited to be part of that conversation in person. I’ll be there with Unity5, ready to meet US operators, technology partners, and anyone interested in making their parking operations smarter, not harder. If your systems aren’t speaking to each other, or worse, if they’re speaking different languages, it might be time to rethink what your tech should do for you. Because in parking, as in life, the best results come when we work together. Hannah Fuller is the Director of Commercial Strategy and Partnerships for Unity5. Hannah can be reached at hannah.fuller@unity5.com.

New research from Parkopedia, part of EasyPark Group, reveals that 100% of drivers surveyed in the U.S. and Germany prefer in-car payment systems that are seamless, intuitive, and easy to use - emphasizing a clear and consistent preference for streamlined, user-friendly digital interactions while driving. The findings come from the In-Car Payments UX Focus Groups Research Study, conducted by Drive Research, to better understand how drivers engage with in-car payments and identify key areas for improvement for some of the current implementations. The study results highlighted respondents’ need for simplicity when first engaging with in-car payment systems, and revealed that complicated sign-up processes risk losing a significant share of users. Complex registration was cited by 70% of respondents as a deterrent to signing up, with half reporting it would make them less likely to use the service even if they completed registration. Notably, 77% of participants rated easy enrollment as ‘very important’. EasyPark Group, parent company to Parkopedia, already addresses this need for existing app users by offering user-friendly, in-car integrations with platforms like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, helping reduce complexity for users. “The strong interest toward in-car payment solutions globally provides a better understanding of the seamless journey drivers desire," said Eugene Tsyrklevich, General Manager of Automotive & Data at EasyPark Group. “Understanding driver reactions to this technology is more crucial than ever as connected car services gain prominence. This strategic alliance between EasyPark and Parkopedia uniquely positions us to develop and deliver transformative mobility experiences that directly address the demands of today's drivers.” As the study shows, ease of use and seamless integration are essential for building trust and adoption in the connected car space. The fundamental desire for convenience and streamlined payment processes within the vehicle is a shared priority of drivers across the U.S. and Germany. Across global markets, more than 93% of participants expressed a desire for efficient in-car payment systems. A closer look revealed nuanced distinctions and further insights unique to each market: 80% of U.S. drivers would be frustrated if their in-car system didn't alert them to nearby payment options, compared to 57% of German drivers – indicating stronger U.S. demand for real-time payment notifications. 70% of U.S. drivers expressed a willingness to pay more (either upfront or via subscription) to access in-car payments.  93% of German drivers were more likely to use systems that offered savings and loyalty discounts, highlighting a preference for direct, monetary benefits.  To investigate the effectiveness of in-car payment systems, Drive Research conducted parallel market research studies in the United States and Germany between October 2024 and February 2025. Across both markets, a total of 60 participants engaged with two in-car payment systems through the process of registering and completing transactions. These experiences included parking and charging in the U.S. and parking in Germany using identical tablets that presented an existing OEM service and a proposed updated version co-developed by Parkopedia and Valtech Mobility. This research aimed to provide a unified understanding of user experiences with in-car payment technologies across these key markets. For more information on the study visit, here.  To learn more about EasyPark Group and its expertise in parking solutions, please visit https://easyparkgroup.com/.

Fort Lee, NJ — Parking Base, the leading provider of customized cloud-based parking management solutions, announced a major upgrade to Permit Manager, its industry-leading digital parking permit platform. With this new release, operators can now issue, price, bill, and renew permits with an unprecedented level of flexibility and control, redefining the standards for permitting flexibility. “These new capabilities and innovations are the result of input from our customers, and there isn’t a workflow our new Permit Manager can’t support,” said John Payne, Parking Base’s Chief Technology Officer. “We’ve supercharged the technology to handle every scenario or challenge our customers have presented. What’s really exciting is, we have now empowered our clients to drive even more revenue from new and existing customers.” Permit Manager removes the typical limitations imposed by legacy parking management platforms. Rather than dictating how permits will be managed, Permit Manager allows owners and operators to establish their own management parameters. For instance: Custom Permit Durations: Permit Manager moves beyond one-size-fits-all. Custom subscription terms allow for monthly, quarterly, annual, or custom period lengths -- whatever an operation demands. Owners can also create “time of day permits” to allow weekend only or evening only parking. Flexible Billing Dates: Permit Manager allows owners and operators to set billing cycles per permit however they wish -- upfront, mid-month, end-of-month, and anything in between. Owners can be as creative as they wish. For instance, they can offer a “promotional permit” with a discounted rate that expires on a specific date to help attract new customers. Auto-Renew or Expire: Permit Manager allows owners and operators to automatically control whether permits continue seamlessly or end after a set term, saving staff time and headaches. Special Permit Types & Controls: Permit Manager allows owners and operators to create custom permit types and rates with restricted access based on a unique URL or the user's email domain. For example, new commercial tenants can be offered a discounted rate and employees with the proper email domain can access the special rate. Operators Can Now Update Rates Instantly: With permit-level rate management, operators can adjust rates themselves in seconds, right from the back office. This means faster updates, better responsiveness to local demand, and less back-and-forth, putting more control in the hands of the people running the operation day-to-day. Custom Contracts and Documentation, Tailored To Each Permit: Operators can now set specific contracts and documentation requirements for individual permit types, allowing each permit to have its own terms and paperwork built right into the system. This helps ensure compliance and keeps the process clean and efficient for operators and parkers. “This update is more than just added convenience—it’s operational power,” said Ebby Zachariah, CEO of Parking Base. “Permit Manager allows you to adapt to seasonal patterns, meet complex customer needs, and fulfill even the most nuanced operational requirements—right out of the box, no workarounds or custom development required. The flexibility built into this release opens the door to countless creative applications, giving you the freedom to design permit programs that truly fit your operation, not the other way around.” For more information about Parking Base and its solutions, please visit www.parkingbase.com. About Parking Base Parking Base is the leading company offering cloud-based parking management solutions to handle all aspects of parking operations. Its comprehensive suite of products includes Permit Manager, Valet Manager, Destination Manager, and Access Manager, and it delivers a seamless and customizable digital, cloud-based solution in a single platform. Parking Base’s tools are designed to optimize efficiencies for parking owners and operators, while enhancing the customer experience. For more information about Parking Base, please visit www.parkingbase.com.

Vancouver, Canada – PayByPhone, a global leader in mobile parking payments, continues to expand its presence across the United States and Canada, with nine new clients appointing PayByPhone to their parking operations since the beginning of 2025 and one client selecting PayByPhone as its single provider. Drivers in Baltimore, MD, Bethlehem, PA, Hull, MA, Kansas City, MO, Niagara Falls, ON, and Winston-Salem, NC, can now use PayByPhone for digital parking payments at on- and off-street locations. Visitors to Regency Furniture Stadium, Waldorf, MD – home to baseball’s Southern Maryland Blue Crabs – can enjoy the simplicity of mobile-only parking payments from PayByPhone, the venue’s exclusive provider, for the first time this season. Those keeping fit at Winnipeg Winter Club in Manitoba can take advantage of PayByPhone’s benefits, as well visitors to Midtown 8, the newest addition to the line of luxury buildings in Midtown Miami, FL. PayByPhone has been one of three parking payment apps in downtown San Luis Obispo, CA, until recently, when the City selected PayByPhone as the single parking payment provider. Carmen Donnell, Managing Director North America for PayByPhone, says, “We’re delighted cities, private operators and universities across North America are trusting us with their digital parking payment needs. We know that our global reach and robust in-app features that simplify the parking experience for drivers play a big part in our clients’ decision-making process.” For more information, visit www.paybyphone.com. ABOUT PAYBYPHONE PayByPhone is a global leader in mobile parking payments. We simplify the journeys for millions of people through our smart, intuitive mobile payment technology and exciting features. We work with over 1,400 cities and operators across North America, the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland. More than 95 million drivers worldwide have trusted us with their payments to date. To discover how our products and services can elevate your driving experience, please visit www.paybyphone.com. PayByPhone. We simplify your journey, so you can focus on what matters most. Contact: Sarah Claridge Communications Consultant Indaba sarah.claridge@weareindaba.com (+44) 207 692 4964

How did Princeton evolve to meet the new demand for parking? With a multi-pronged approach, they integrated cutting-edge technology, incentivized alternative commutes, and rolled out transit programs, all while maintaining operations on a 275+ year-old campus amidst major construction. Join the Princeton University team as they showcase how data can drive smarter decisions, ease parking stress, reduce congestion, and ultimately improve the campus experience. 

Advancements to 2030 and Beyond

Advancements to 2030 and Beyond

Sarasota, FL – In partnership with Passport, the City of Sarasota, Florida, upgrades its existing system to Passport’s parking compliance platform as a two-phased project. Starting today, for Phase I, the city is introducing enforcement, license plate recognition (LPR), and permitting solutions. The city is also introducing Passport’s meter and paystation processing, unifying physical and digital transactions into Passport’s centralized software suite. Additionally, part of this upgrade includes a new, easy-to-use mobile parking payment application, Passport Parking. This app will be rolled out in the next 30-45 days during Phase II of this upgrade. After downloading the free app from the App Store or Google Play, a user enters the respective zone number, license plate number and the desired length of time for parking. Users can receive notifications when their sessions are about to expire, extend their sessions remotely and view receipts and parking history. Users can also conveniently manage their parking online at passportparking.com. "The implementation of Passport’s platform marks an important step forward for the City of Sarasota," says Broxton Harvey, General Manager of Parking for the City of Sarasota. "With Passport’s technology, we are now able to streamline our operations, provide a better parking experience for our community, and equip our staff with the tools they need to work more efficiently. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will continue to have for our residents, visitors, and team members." Through Passport’s secure online system, users can now easily apply for, purchase, and manage their permits digitally, eliminating the need for paper-based systems. Additionally, Passport’s digital compliance and enforcement solution empowers the City of Sarasota to collect documentation, issue warnings and citations, and deploy resources more effectively. "Through this launch, we are proud to provide the technology that empowers Sarasota to achieve its goals, from improving the parking experience for residents and visitors to equipping their team with real-time insights that drive more effective operations,” says Alex Wells, Regional Director of Sales at Passport. “We are excited to continue building on this partnership and helping the city create a more connected and efficient community." Visit the company website to learn how Passport’s parking compliance platform streamlines on-street parking and enforcement operations for cities of all sizes. About the City of Sarasota Distinguished by U.S. News and World Report as the No. 11 Best Place to Live in the U.S. and a top place in Florida, the City of Sarasota is a diverse and inclusive community located on Florida’s Suncoast with 55,000 year-round residents, several internationally recognized cultural arts venues, stunning sunsets along Lido Beach, newly restored Donald Ross-designed municipal golf course, and Major League spring training baseball with the Baltimore Orioles. Learn more about us at www.SarasotaFL.Gov. About Passport Passport is the trusted technology partner for over 800 cities and private operators across North America, unifying paid parking, enforcement operations, and payment infrastructure into one platform. By simplifying how municipalities manage and monetize the curb, Passport empowers local leaders to boost compliance, unlock new revenue opportunities, and improve how people move around their communities. Passport helps cities thrive by delivering the tools and insights they need to meet evolving mobility challenges and create community-focused outcomes. Media Contact: pr@passportinc.com

A Decade in Retrospect—High School Reunion Edition

A Decade in Retrospect—High School Reunion Edition

How True Occupancy Data Can Improve Parking and Mobility