Municipal/Cities

Automotus, a Los Angeles-based software company that sells curb management, traffic and associated payment technology, has raised $9 million in a new funding round. According to Jordan Justus, the company’s CEO and co-founder, the round includes $7.5 million in equity and $1.5 million in credit from a single investor. Total equity funding to date for the company, which traces its roots to 2017 while Justus and co-founder and CTO Harris Lummis were students at Loyola Marymount University, stands at $26 million, Justus said. This funding round included Santa Barbara Venture Partners, Weatherford Capital, BarronKent Ventures, Techstars Ventures, kineo, and other investors, according to a statement. Automotus offers a platform powered by computer vision that cities and airports can use to monitor and control traffic at curbs, including via data analytics and automated payments. The rise of ride hailing along with consumer dependence on retail deliveries help make curbside spaces increasingly busy. An example of the technology in use comes from Lincoln, Neb., where cameras provided by Automotus have helped officials craft parking policies for downtown. Automotus says it has deployed its tech in “dozens of markets across the country.” The fresh capital will go toward deeper product offerings, market expansion and customer support. “Cities and airports are under immense pressure to modernize the curb as commercial traffic surges and they’re forced to grapple with AVs,” Justus said. “This investment allows us to scale our impact and continue delivering technology that makes streets safer, more efficient and more sustainable.”

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.

Is the curb for parking, deliveries, valet, ride-share, taxis, horse and buggy, or buses?   If I had been asked this question over 20 years ago, I would have said it was for parking and generating revenue to help pay for infrastructure improvements to drive economic growth. But today, the answer is all above! Our industry has changed so much over the decades due to many different needs. But what I do know is that the curb is at capacity! So, the big question becomes, how do we manage it? Today’s technology plays a major role in helping us manage the curb.   I remember what a big deal it was to put solar pay stations on the street that allowed me to remove 12- 14 single space mechanical meters.  But looking at the technology today, you can place a sign with a QR code and that will lead the customer to platform to pay for parking by using the phone.   You do not really need anything else!  Nashville has been spending the past year working on a technology platform that manages the curb - all uses of the curb! This program is called Connect Downtown.  From the study, we set goals for a safe and comfortable downtown, one that’s connected and convenient, focuses on equitable and accessible, meets sustainable and resilient needs, is vibrant and inviting but balanced and reliable.   Wow, that is a lot to deliver to the community.  We are accomplishing this with five (5) big moves.   The first big move is managing congestion.   We are upgrading our signals to real time to manage special events, people and safety of all modes.  The next one is improved safety.  Being a vision zero county, we are making our roadway network safer for people.  Move three (3) is prioritizing our transit for better service and reliability throughout the region.  Building complete street networks with connected walking paths, bikeways, and micro mobility options for first and last miles is the fourth big move.  And the last big move, maximizing the curb by flexing the use based on needs, creating passenger loading or service unloading zones for deliveries, rideshares, taxis and AVs. Do not forget to include local businesses’ needs, venues and their modes of transporting people.  But mostly, make sure you address everything for your residents.  They are the foundation of everything that’s planned.   In the last year, we have added over one hundred and forty-five (145) bike and scooter corrals.  We’ve piloted a transit lane designed for special events that’s allowed for improving the time of exiting from the downtown Hub by over 50%.   We’ve established additional unloading zones that are flexed at 4 PM to 4 AM for ridesharing, taxi, etc and did a ridezone pilot that improved the traffic flow.  We’ve also organized the parking system for the curb, so that we have technology providing turns for businesses.  And now we are working closely with the community on the technology platform for managing the curb, similar to parking.  Technology is allowing us to advance and optimize how the city manages the curb, and we’re transforming how our downtown operates — making life easier for residents and business owners Diana W. Alarcon, PTMP, is the Director for Nashville Department of Transportation & Multimodal Infrastructure. Diana can be reached at diana.alarcon@nashville.gov.

Waterloo, Ontario – eleven-x®, a leader in smart parking and curbside management solutions, announced a smart parking initiative with the City of Virginia Beach, VA which is designed to improve the parking experience for drivers while helping parking managers understand how their parking is being used. With the recent launch of the eXactpark™ solution, the city has begun collecting data from more than 1,000 parking spaces located within their new Oceanfront parking garage. The goal of the project is to better understand parking behavior to improve the overall parking experience for the city’s 450,000 residents and over fourteen million annual visitors. The initiative is focused on serving drivers in a busy area located between the city’s ocean front Boardwalk and the Virginia Beach Convention Center which includes restaurants, retail businesses and accommodations for residents and visitors. Real-time data collected through the eXactpark solution will enable the implementation of digital displays and the eXactnav™ app (iOS, Android), to help drivers quickly locate available spaces in the garage, saving time and reducing the search for available parking. The City of Virginia Beach expects the project to deliver multiple benefits, including: Improved Traffic Flow: Reduces congestion caused by drivers searching for parking, particularly during peak summer tourist months. Enhanced Visitor Experience: Helps visitors find spaces quickly, improving their experience and encouraging repeat visits. Economic Benefits: Optimizes existing parking infrastructure, boosting revenue, and supporting local businesses by providing convenient customer access. Environmental Impact: Lowers emissions from idling vehicles and supports the city’s sustainability goals. Data-Driven Decisions: Provides accurate, true occupancy data to generate actionable insights for planning, infrastructure investments, and resource allocation. Support for Smart City Initiatives: Demonstrates the city’s commitment to leveraging innovative solutions that enhance residents’ quality of life. City officials are already seeing the value of the solution. “The data we’ve begun collecting through eXactpark is revealing important trends in how and when spaces within the garage are being used,” said Casi Hansford, Parking Operations Supervisor at the City of Virginia Beach. “The benefits of this solution are already helping us in many ways including reducing congestion due to searching and providing valuable analytics and insights which will help in terms of planning for future infrastructure, all while improving the day-to-day experience for residents and visitors.” “Virginia Beach is one of the most vibrant coastal cities in the U.S., and we’re proud to help deliver a modern parking experience that reduces congestion, supports local businesses, and advances their smart city goals,” said Dan Mathers, CEO, eleven-x. “With eXactpark, the city is setting a benchmark for how parking technology and data-driven solutions can create meaningful improvements for residents, visitors, and the community as a whole.” The city was able to streamline procurement of eXactpark™ through Sourcewell, which empowers public agencies with cooperative contracts, expertise, and resources to meet evolving community needs. As the second eXactpark deployment of its kind in the state, building on the pioneering program in Arlington County, the project highlights the state’s continued leadership in adopting innovative mobility solutions that enhance quality of life and support long-term growth. About eleven-x Inc.® eleven-x is a leader in smart parking and curbside management solutions, helping organizations improve the efficiency, safety, and accessibility of their parking operations. The company’s award-winning eXactpark™ solution delivers real-time, 24/7 stall occupancy data, enabling cities, airports, campuses, and parking managers to gain a comprehensive, data-driven understanding of their parking assets. With eXactpark, organizations can streamline curbside management, improve compliance, implement demand-based pricing and enhance the overall parking experience. The solution also supports real-time parking guidance through eleven-x’s eXactnav™ app and integrates seamlessly with third-party systems, helping drivers quickly locate available spaces, reduce congestion, and optimize mobility. Fully scalable, eXactpark empowers communities to balance parking and space utilization in any parking environment to help address evolving transportation challenges and improve quality of life. For more information, visit eleven-x.com and follow eleven-x on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Open to members from cities and municipalities. Register for the free municipal members-only roundtable, ask for advice about your own situations, and connect with others facing similar challenges.

Open to members from cities and municipalities. Register for the free municipal members-only roundtable, ask for advice about your own situations, and connect with others facing similar challenges.

Open to members from cities and municipalities. Register for the free municipal members-only roundtable, ask for advice about your own situations, and connect with others facing similar challenges.

Register for IPMI's members-only roundtable dedicated to finding the balance and prioritizing competing stakeholder groups in dynamic, high-demand environments.  Our discussion will zero in on residential parking needs and programs, especially where they are in fierce competition with other patron segments in both municipal and academic settings.  

Charlotte, NC – Passport, the most trusted technology partner for innovative curb management solutions, is unveiling Passport Payments, a fully embedded payment platform purpose-built for the public sector to deliver better insights that reduce costs, improve efficiency, and make smarter payment decisions. Passport Payments gives cities full visibility and control over the entire payment lifecycle—a first in the industry. “Cities and agencies across the country are facing growing pressure to modernize legacy systems,” said Khristian Gutierrez, co-founder and CEO of Passport. “From parking and transportation programs to supporting adjacent departments, today’s governments need a secure, integrated way to manage revenue streams while improving transparency for their finance teams. Passport Payments delivers exactly that — a modern, scalable solution purpose-built for the public sector that we know will help cities evolve stale processes and deliver the payments ecosystem of the future.” With over $4 billion in curbside payments processed, Passport Payments is already supporting some of the largest U.S. cities like Denver, CO; Tampa, FL; Boston, MA; and Austin, TX. Tapping into its deep experience in high-volume, small-dollar transactions, Passport is expanding its offerings to fit a broader range of municipal payment needs. Passport Payments allows cities and agencies to accept, track, and reconcile payments across departments and services — all within a unified platform. The solution integrates with existing municipal systems to: • Accelerate access to funds • Reduce operational complexity • Enhance financial oversight • Ensure fee transparency and regulatory compliance By consolidating payment operations, governments can finally gain better control and visibility to reduce manual processes and streamline reconciliation. “In Boston, we’re focused on making government services more accessible and responsive to the people who rely on them,” said Richard Andrade, Finance Manager for the City of Boston. “Modernizing our payment infrastructure is a critical part of that mission. Passport’s platform has helped us streamline operations, improve efficiency, and better navigate the complexities our finance teams face every day.” “For over a decade, Passport has helped transform how cities manage parking and transportation — fundamentally reshaping how governments collect, reconcile, and understand payments at scale,” said Matt Harris, Partner at Bain Capital Ventures. “Passport Payments is the natural next step in that evolution, extending the company’s proven infrastructure to support every way consumers interact financially with local governments. Cities and public agencies don’t just need payment processors; they need infrastructure that understands compliance, transparency, and scale. Passport is building that critical layer, and we believe this is one of the most overlooked opportunities in fintech today.” Passport supports over 800 cities and private operators across North America, providing a best-in-class platform for parking enforcement, mobile payments, permitting, and curbside compliance. With the launch of Passport Payments, the company expands its commitment to helping cities modernize infrastructure, increase accountability, and better serve their communities. For more details, visit passportinc.com and https://passportpayments.com/. About Passport Payments Passport Payments is the purpose-built payment platform designed for the public sector. Developed by the innovators of Passport, the industry leader in curb management technology, Passport Payments empowers cities and governments to securely accept, track, and reconcile payments — from parking and transportation to adjacent departments. By consolidating payment operations into a centralized and fully-embedded system, Passport Payments delivers powerful insights that reduce costs, increase efficiency, and ensure regulatory compliance. Backed by the experience of processing over $4 billion in municipal transactions, Passport Payments helps modern governments streamline financial operations and build the payments infrastructure of the future. 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.

When you think of the largest buildings in any city, your mind probably goes to soaring skyscrapers, massive stadiums, or sprawling airports. But in Wisconsin, the largest building by square footage isn’t a tower or arena—it’s actually the Parking Garage at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. This six-story, 8,000-space post-tensioned (P/T) structure was built in three phases. The Red Section, closest to the terminal, was originally constructed in 1977. A 1989 expansion, known as the Blue Section, added 126,000 square feet per floor along the western edge, and a 2002 expansion, the Yellow Section, extended the garage along the northern side, adding another 209,000 square feet per floor. Altogether, the garage covers more than 3.5 million square feet, making it the largest building—by square footage—in the entire state of Wisconsin. For comparison: U.S Bank Center (Milwaukee): Tallest building in Wisconsin – 42 stories, 1,077,607 sq ft Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons (Milwaukee): 32 stories, 1,100,00 sq ft Clinical Services Center at University of Wisconsin-Madison: 1,897,439 sq ft Lambeau Field (Green Bay): 1,900,000 sq ft During these expansions, a total of six elevators were added: two in the 1989 section and four more in the 2002 expansion. The 2002 project also introduced an enclosed pedestrian skywalk on the third level, featuring two sets of moving walkways. This climate-controlled corridor connects the garage to the terminal, offering comfort and convenience for travelers during Wisconsin’s hot summers and frigid winters. For most of the year—aside from peak travel periods like Spring Break—this massive structure has ample capacity to accommodate nearly all travelers who choose to park there. So next time you’re planning to park at MKE, choose the garage and take a moment to look around and appreciate the sheer scale of this remarkable facility. You can proudly say, “I’m standing in the largest building in Wisconsin!” Vincent Campagna, PTMP, is a Manager, Parking & Ground Transportation for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Vincent can be reached at vcampagna@mitchellairport.com.

Tacoma, WA –  Nine months after its introduction, the integration of Amano McGann’s Amano ONE Parking Access and Revenue Control System (PARCS) with TagMaster North America’s CT-45 License Plate Recognition (LPR) camera is delivering proven value for operators across airports, municipalities, universities, hospitality, and commercial parking environments. Amano ONE has quickly become one of the industry’s most flexible and forward-looking PARCS platforms. With its open-architecture approach, Amano ONE seamlessly integrates with leading LPR providers to give operators the freedom to choose the right solution for their site-specific needs. This commitment to innovation ensures simplified operations, improved patron experience, and long-term investment protection. As part of this ecosystem, the TagMaster CT-45 brings advanced, field-tested reliability to vehicle identification. Its compact, all-in-one design reduces hardware and installation costs, while varifocal dual-sensor imaging (infrared + color) delivers accurate plate reads in low light, inclement weather, and challenging conditions. With onboard AI processing, the CT-45 eliminates the need for external servers, lowering complexity while boosting performance. Fully TAA/NDAA compliant, the CT-45 is ideally suited for airports, municipalities, government facilities, and other environments with strict security requirements. “Since the launch of the TagMaster integration earlier this year, we’ve seen momentum from operators looking to tailor their parking technology stack,” said Ryan Nester, VP of Sales & Marketing at Amano McGann. “By expanding our LPR ecosystem with proven, best-in-class technologies, Amano ONE gives clients the flexibility to choose the solution that fits their operations best while ensuring a frictionless experience for their parking patrons.” “At TagMaster North America, our mission has always been to deliver reliable, innovative, and easy-to-deploy solutions that drive measurable value for operators,” said Ali Khaksar, President of TagMaster North America. “The CT-45 was designed with that in mind — providing unmatched accuracy, simplicity, and compliance. Seeing these results come to life within the Amano ONE platform reinforces the strength of our partnership and the impact it’s having for customers across the industry.” For hospitality clients, Amano ONE’s Auto-Enroll feature further enhances efficiency.  When paired with a hotel’s Property Management System (PMS), guest licenseplate data is automatically registered at check-in, granting seamless access throughout the stay. This not only simplifies the guest experience but also reduces administrative workloads for hotel staff. With real-world deployments proving the value of Amano ONE and TagMaster North America together, operators are realizing greater flexibility, operational efficiency, and revenue capture. Amano McGann and TagMaster NA continue to lead the way in delivering powerful, scalable, and reliable parking solutions. To learn more about Amano ONE, email insidesales@amanomcgann.com To learn more about TagMaster North America, Inc., email sales@tagmasterna.com About Amano McGann  Amano McGann, Inc. is a member of the Amano Group, a worldwide organization with annual revenues in excess of $1 billion. As world leaders in the manufacturing and distribution of hardware and software solutions for the parking industry, Amano McGann distributes nationally through branch offices and an authorized distribution network and provides a level of service and experience unmatched in the industry. For more information about Amano McGann’s integrated solutions visit www.amanomcgann.com. About TagMaster North America With nearly two decades of proven deployments across North America, TagMaster North America (TMNA) is a trusted leader in vehicle identification and mobility technology. As a premier provider of both long-range RFID and advanced License Plate Recognition (LPR) solutions, TMNA delivers reliable, field-tested platforms that enhance security, streamline operations, and promote sustainability across parking, security, and transportation markets. From airports and municipalities to universities, healthcare campuses, and commercial facilities, TMNA solutions are designed to scale, adapt, and provide long-term value in even the most complex environments. For more information, visit www.TagMasterNA.com.

Tybee Island, GA – The City of Tybee Island, Georgia, has expanded its partnership with Passport, the leader in curbside payment solutions. This continued collaboration unifies enforcement, permitting, paid parking, and payment processing into Passport’s centralized software suite. This enhancement builds on Tybee Island’s existing use of Passport’s platform, which powers its paid parking operations through the ParkTYB app, and further unifies the city’s curbside management. With the launch of digital permitting, residents and visitors can now apply for, purchase, and manage permits online, eliminating paper-based processes and reducing administrative overhead. Additionally, city staff gain access to integrated tools that simplify financial management, track inventory, and provide real-time insights into usage and trends. “What once required managing multiple vendors and financial processes is now streamlined into one hub, delivering cost savings to the customers and operational clarity for our staff, as well as a smoother experience for our entire community,” said Kat Potter, Parking Supervisor, City of Tybee Island. With a proven track record of facilitating seamless transitions and a deep commitment to supporting cities’ evolving needs, Passport is equipping more than 800 communities across the country with the tools to thrive. “Our partnership with Tybee Island reflects Passport’s commitment to supporting cities as their mobility needs evolve,” said Sam Warnecke, VP of Sales at Passport. “By expanding this collaboration, we’re helping the city build a more connected foundation for managing mobility, one that positions them for long-term efficiency and growth.” Visit the company website to learn how Passport’s parking compliance platform streamlines on-street parking, enforcement operations, and curbside payments for cities of all sizes.  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