Mobility

IPMI & Member News

Parking Industry Podcast Thumbnail
IPMI & Member News Mobility Technology Vendors/Products

Introducing System TV’s First-Ever Podcast Dedicated to the Parking Industry

System TV is breaking new ground with an exciting podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the parking industry. Join Jerome, Phil, and Robin for an engaging and insightful experience. In this episode, you’ll discover: - Eye-opening insights into the parking industry: You’ll never look at a parking lot the same way again! - Behind-the-scenes stories: Meet the passionate people driving innovation in this often-overlooked sector. - System TV’s journey: From humble beginnings to tackling the challenges of becoming a key player in the industry. - Surprising anecdotes: Fascinating stories that bring a fresh perspective and a touch of humor. Whether you’re passionate about innovation, curious about industry transformations, or simply love inspiring conversations, this podcast is for you! Don’t miss this chance to explore the hidden world of the parking industry. Discover the episode : https://youtu.be/7vxTlNcA4NE

Map of Transportation Levels
IPMI Blog Mobility Policy

Movers, Shakers, and Currents in Mobility Policy

With a mobility ecosystem rapidly evolving, what are the topline mobility issues to be aware of, who are the key decision makers framing mobility policy, and how can you and your organization help steer the mobility conversation. The transportation and mobility space is constantly evolving, impacting how people and goods move through and between our communities. That ecosystem is framed around a policy framework developed by decision makers at varying levels of government. Most mobility practitioners are in the business of implementing policies and programs that help manage the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. However, what may be a missed opportunity in the policy feedback loop is factoring in practitioner experience and feedback alongside community feedback. Before diving into the currents within the mobility space and how to navigate them, it is helpful to understand the general policy lever environment. This graphic below succinctly illustrates the varying levels of decision making and influence in policy making. Most federal policy levers handle very macro issues and set a high level direction for the mobility space, with a forthcoming policy and funding discussion in the 119th Congress that will translate into the next multiyear surface transportation reauthorization that the Presidential administration will be tasked to implement (and will likely implement with an economic development and waste reduction lens). State policy levers play similar roles and tackle similar issues to the federal levers, but at a more meso scale (at a state level). Those state policy levers will flesh out more detail to goals and implementation strategy of larger federal ideas within the state context (whether advancing economic development or climate change goals). Additional levers below state levers start to get into more micro scale of issue detail, touching upon how things are implemented or operated (such as curbside policy or parking meter rates) and its impact felt on a regular basis (such as sensitivity to cost of living).  An IPMI membership survey from Fall 2024, highlighted various policy issues that are on the horizon for the Policy and Legislative Cohort to explore and synthesize the topline impacts and how to influence it for IPMI members. They included issues related to enforcement of the mobility space, curbside management in a dynamic land use and economic environment, as well as accessible mobility. Some of those issues are inherently local, while others may feel local, but are regulated/authorized at a state, if not on a rare occasion at the federal level. As a member of IPMI, there’s things you can do now to influence the policy conversation on key issues that impact your operations and implementation. Spend time educating not only your stakeholders, but also your key decision makers at the local, state, and federal levels on who you are, what you do, and the mobility issues impacting your community. Also take the time to build a larger, diverse tent of stakeholders (such as Chambers of Commerce, Transit agencies, Health departments, community and environmental groups) that can be your coalition to educate, advocate, and for some of those stakeholders to lobby on particular issues of consensus. Benito Pérez, AICP, CTP, CAPP, is the Policy Director at Transportation For America. Benito can be reached at benito.perez@t4america.org.

Smart cities and mobility.
IPMI & Member News Mobility Smart Cities Technology Vendors/Products

EasyPark Group Closes Acquisition of Flowbird Group to Become a Leading Global Mobility Platform Provider

Stockholm, Sweden - EasyPark Group, a leading provider of digital parking and mobility solutions, announces the completion of its strategic acquisition of Flowbird Group. Together, the company will use its combined capabilities to deliver full-service parking and transportation solutions to ease urban mobility globally and expand into new markets. Cameron Clayton, current CEO of EasyPark Group, has been appointed as the CEO of the new joint company. Frédéric Beylier, the current CEO of Flowbird Group, is leaving the company. "Today marks a step toward improving space utilization worldwide as EasyPark Group and Flowbird come together as one team. Our broader set of offerings will empower our customers to optimize mobility and reinvest in public transportation, greenspaces and the revitalization of urban centers. I invite cities, transportation authorities and organizations across the mobility industry to join us on this journey. Together, we'll make cities more livable," said Cameron Clayton, CEO of EasyPark Group. The acquisition uniquely positions the joint company to future-proof cities with smart parking and transportation solutions. Through a localized approach, the company will meet each city's needs with a complementary mix of mobile paid parking, pay-and-display machines, public transport solutions, accompanied by suitable pricing, parking policies, data and insights. "This acquisition marks an exciting chapter for mobility, unlocking new possibilities and the potential to create value for people, customers, partners, and municipalities. As I step aside after a thrilling growth journey with the Flowbird teams, I'm confident that the future of the joint company holds more promising adventures and successes with its talented and dedicated people." says Frédéric Beylier, CEO of Flowbird Group. For now, it's business continuity to deliver the highest quality service to our customers and partners. As the new, joint company begins the foundation to build a leading global mobility platform, more information will be shared on organizational structure in the coming months. Vitruvian Partners, Verdane and Searchlight Capital Partners L.P., the investment firms that will own the joint company, support the acquisition and are proud for the two companies to come together. The parties have agreed not to disclose the terms of the transaction. "In an Open Letter to the Industry, our newly appointed CEO, Cameron Clayton, shares his insights on what this means for our customers and the future of urban mobility." Follow EasyPark Group in our newsroom: www.easyparkgroup.com/news About EasyPark Group EasyPark Group is a global mobility platform provider with the vision to make cities more livable. With award-winning technology, EasyPark Group has eased parking since 2001 and today, the company helps drivers save time and money by finding and managing parking and electric vehicle charging. It allows businesses, parking operators, property owners and cities to administrate, plan and take data-driven decisions. EasyPark Group owns and develops the apps EasyPark, ParkMobile, RingGo and Park-line and operates in over 4,000 cities across more than 20 countries. In 2024, EasyPark Group was listed as one of the fastest growing companies in Europe by Financial Times and Statista. Visit www.easyparkgroup.com for the latest news and information. About Flowbird Group Flowbird Group solutions are used in 6,000 cities in 80 countries to make journeys effortless. The company's relentless desire to enable mobility, through frictionless technology, which gives back time to us all, is the driving force behind the innovations. Flowbird Group is dedicated to complete, data-led solutions, which can be used to inform mobility policy and make a positive impact.

Traffic jam with a row of cars on a highway during rush hour in the evening after work. red brake lights of stopped cars on the background of wet asphalt with white lanes at sunset
IPMI Blog Mobility Smart Cities

Would You Rather

In a recent blog post, Casey Jones, CAPP, PMP, played a game of two truths and a lie and I thought I would play a game with our readers too. So, let’s play Would You Rather: Fly or be invisible? Travel to the past or the future? Pet dragon or a pet unicorn? For me - fly, future and dragon. Fly because I spend far too much time in traffic in Houston, where we rank #4 on a list of the worst cities to drive in. Future because I am excited about what is going on in the transportation realm and how great to imagine a world where we are no longer making lists of cities with the worst traffic. Finally, dragon because I need a friend to spit fire for me sometimes! All that being said, regardless of your choices – I think I can safely assume that you too are interested in the future of mobility. Download a copy of IPMI’s most recent publication, Smart Transportation for Parking and Mobility Practitioners, where you can review real-world case studies of organizations that have implemented smart transportation programs and the positive impact they have made on their communities. And I would love to hear your Would You Rather choices, so drop me an email at maria.irshad@houstontx.gov. Maria Irshad, MPA, CAPP, is the Deputy Director for the City of Houston, Texas (ParkHouston).

Casey Jones, CAPP Blog, My Two Truths and a Lie
IPMI Blog Mobility Smart Cities Technology

My Two Truths and a Lie

My two truths and a lie: I became submarine and airborne qualified in the same summer. I am the 1975 U10 Mutton Busting Champion for Gallatin County, MT. I was once featured on the Travel Channel. The last one is true and quite an experience. I got to share some of the cool and up-and-coming technology for parking and mobility. That was over 10 years ago now, and some of the solutions have materialized (robotic parking), while others have not (3D holographic car locators). Throughout our industry's history, we've relied on technology and innovation to make the movement of people and goods more resource-efficient, convenient, safe, secure, and equitable.  You'll recognize this as the definition of Smart Transportation, and you can download IPMI's recent publication, Smart Transportation for Parking and Mobility Practitioners: Concepts, Applications and Case Studies to learn more.  This practical guide defines smart transportation and uses real-world and case studies to illustrate how technology can be used to achieve our most important parking and mobility management goals. Casey Jones, CAPP, is the Senior Director of Customer Success for Flash and a member of the IPMI Board of Directors. Casey can be reached at casey.jones@flashparking.com.

IPMI Cover for EV Readiness Resource Guide Executive Summary
Electric Vehicles Mobility

EV Readiness Resource Guide

Magazine Mobility Transit

The Role of the Regulator in Mobility Management

The Winnipeg Parking Authority’s Vehicles for Hire Office

Magazine Mobility Planning

Mobility Hubs

The Future of Mobility Does Not Mean the End of Parking—it Means the Evolution of Parking.

Magazine Mobility Sustainability Transportation Equity

Breaking Barriers

Grand Rapids’ Bold Steps Towards Equity in Mobility

IBI Group Logo
Magazine Mobility

IBI Group Enhances Mobility-Based Solutions with Acquisition of HotSpot

Complementary mobility solution strengthens IBI’s SaaS portfolio and broadens recurring revenue. Global design and technology firm IBI Group Inc. (TSX: IBG) (“IBI” or the “Company”), announced that it has acquired mobility solutions provider, HotSpot (the “Acquisition”). Founded in New Brunswick in 2013, HotSpot began addressing parking issues through technology and has since developed into a

Magazine Mobility Planning

Re-imagining Single Use Assets

Bringing New Life into Parking Structures

Michigan Avenue, tall buildings
Electric Vehicles Magazine Mobility Planning Technology Transit

5 Major Urban Mobility Trends of the Future

The five things that everyone is talking about in mobility—or should be!