Municipal/Cities

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In this joint roundtable between IPMI and the British Parking Association (BPA), we will discuss the similarities and differences between higher education parking in North America and Great Britain and what can be learned from the experiences of both.

Sarasota, FL – In partnership with Passport, the City of Sarasota, Florida, is upgrading its existing system to Passport’s parking compliance platform. This collaboration will unify enforcement, license plate recognition (LPR), permitting, paid parking, and payment processing operations for physical and digital transactions into Passport’s centralized software suite. Passport’s digital compliance and enforcement solution empowers cities to collect evidence, issue warnings and citations, and deploy resources more effectively. With added LPR technology, the City of Sarasota can verify compliant vehicles up to four times faster. Passport’s embedded payments solution will enable the city to use the same system to manage, view, and reconcile all transactions at the curb. “We are excited to partner with Passport to bring a new comprehensive parking platform to residents, visitors, and staff,” says Broxton Harvey, Parking General Manager for City of Sarasota. “This system will improve the overall community experience, as well as help our team work more efficiently through access to real-time data and insights.” The city will also launch Passport’s mobile payment application for parking, Passport Parking, to offer another convenient way to pay and manage their parking sessions remotely. Passport works with municipalities to modernize and unify their systems through a centralized solution. The company's expertise in seamless transitions and focus on supporting cities’ needs is helping communities thrive across the country. 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

As Atlantic Beach, NC, prepares for its busy tourist season, the town is taking proactive steps to update its parking management strategy to ensure a seamless experience for visitors and residents. Known for its beautiful beaches, the iconic Oceanana Fishing Pier, and popular summer festivals, Atlantic Beach sees a major increase in vehicle traffic each year. To handle the seasonal surge efficiently, the town has implemented Park Loyalty’s cutting-edge Pro Solutions parking management software—Enforce Pro, Process Pro, and Permit Pro—partnering with Pivot Parking and TEZ Parking to create a highly efficient parking ecosystem. Optimized Parking Enforcement with Advanced Enforcement Management Software Traditional parking management systems often struggle to handle high-demand periods, leading to inefficiencies and frustration. Enforce Pro, a powerful enforcement management software, streamlines operations with an intuitive interface featuring advanced license plate recognition (LPR), mobile ticketing, and real-time dashboards. Whether managing routine enforcement or addressing peak-season violations, this robust parking management software ensures an effective and efficient violation management process. Streamlined Citation Processing and Digital Permitting Process Pro enhances efficiency by streamlining the entire lifecycle of parking violations, from ticket issuance to resolution. With automated workflows and scalable functionality, it supports citation volumes of any range, for any type of parking operation. This ensures that Atlantic Beach can handle its seasonal demand with ease. Permit Pro further modernizes parking management by eliminating physical permits such as hangtags and stickers. With its user-friendly self-service portal, residents and visitors can apply and pay for their seasonal parking passes online in a quick and easy self-service process. Integrated Technology for a Better Experience The launch also includes an integration with TEZ’s TEZPARK solution, allowing visitors to pay for parking quickly and conveniently from their phones. This, combined with the expertise of Pivot Parking in managing day-to-day operations, creates a frictionless parking experience for everyone.

The sun shines on a Monday, it may be a rainy Tuesday, and Wednesday may start cold and foggy and end warm – all factors in the day in the life of a parking meter coin collector. Although, the majority of our team are long time San Francisco natives and know that what you find in one area of the city may be different somewhere else. There are many years of experience within the group to navigate these factors and make the best of a day out in the city. We get to see technology advance over the years and adapt our collection strategy to best serve project goals, while also taking time here and there to reminisce about the old days. Our crews gather together in the morning to gear up and deploy to their assignments, and support each other during the collection process, reporting back all the fundamental items we see at the meters, but also the ever amusing vandalism and hazards that may present themselves. Photos often tell an extraordinary story… San Francisco also holds many events and street closures which are a recognized part of life in the city. Whether pushing a collection cart down a quiet street, or through a bustling area of movers and shakers, our coin collection staff are established part of the every day crowd in San Francisco. Adam Feller, PTMP, is an Operations Manager for LAZ Parking. Adam can be reached at Afeller@lazparking.com.

Charlotte, NC – Passport, the most trusted technology partner for innovative curb management solutions, is helping Florida cities manage the influx of spring break visitors and is revealing its parking and payment best practices. Last year, Florida saw a record-breaking 142.9 million visitors, with a significant portion traveling during the spring break season in March and April - more people can mean more problems with parking. “With Spring Break approaching, Florida is preparing for a record influx of visitors—and as someone who grew up here, I know firsthand how crucial this surge is to local economies,” said Khristian Gutierrez, co-founder and CEO of Passport. “But we also want to ensure local officials have the software resources to keep their communities functioning smoothly. As a trusted partner to cities across North America, we offer real-time insights and comprehensive parking compliance solutions that empower leaders to make informed decisions—both during peak demand and throughout the year—ultimately helping communities thrive.” Passport’s fully integrated curb management solution brings together parking enforcement, mobile pay parking, digital permitting, payments, and more. By centralizing parking data, Passport ensures cities can operate more efficiently, increase revenue, and improve the parking experience. In February 2025, the City of Tampa experienced a 57.5% increase in Passport Parking sessions compared to February 2024 and is preparing for more congestion in the month ahead. “The City of Tampa is focused on making our city fun for tourists and livable for our residents, even during high-volume times like spring break,” said Fed Revolte, City of Tampa Parking Division Manager. “With Passport, we have been able to access valuable data on what’s happening at the curb for the last few years so that we can better plan for managing parking turnover and compliance. It also allows us to provide an easy solution for parkers who want to pay from their phone.” In order to better manage parking during peak times, Passport suggests cities focus on these five best practices: Use clear signage: By providing clear and easily understandable parking signage, cities inform and update residents and visitors alike about parking regulations. Confusing or poorly placed signs can lead to unintentional violations. Make it mobile: Ensure you’re offering a mobile app to pay for parking and citations, and encourage parkers to download the right app to make life at the curb easier, while also expediting payments for citations. In 2024, 85% of all paid citations processed by Passport were resolved online. Over-communicate to consumers: Make sure they understand the citation and enforcement rules and next steps - including how they will receive notices. Most cities don’t send payment links via text message or request payment through unofficial channels. Dive into data: Explore years and months past to spot trends and stay ahead of challenges. Changing parking turnover during peak times can help alleviate congestion and ensure the city runs smoothly when it’s busy. Choose the right partner: Select a parking vendor that can bring all facets of curb management into one place to ease the burden for city officials and parkers alike. Passport's Partner Marketplace boasts over 60 integrations with technology partners and collaborates with regional providers and private operators like LAZ Parking and Metropolis SP+. Passport supports 800 cities and has processed more than $3.5B in curbside payments across paid citations, mobile payments, and parking permits. Passport data shows one in five Americans interacted with at least one of Passport’s products in 2024. For more information, including best practices, resources, and other reports, visit https://www.passportinc.com/. 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: Aimee Eichelberger (312) 952-1528 Passport@983group.com

The homelessness crisis in America is real and has far-reaching economic and community impacts. Parking and mobility owners and operators are facing issues on both the operations and enforcement fronts, from people sleeping outside in and around the garages to those seeking shelter in automobiles using parking garages and lots as places to sleep for the night or longer to stay safe.

How do you see the future of parking in your city? If I would have asked this question fifteen or twenty years ago we would be speaking about flying cars and all sorts of other, out of this world, possibilities. What comes to mind when you think of this question now? How do you see the future of parking in your city? When I think of the future of parking in my city, a beautiful coastal town with a wild, tourist driven, peak season. I think of satellite parking lots. As cities seem to fill up more and parking seems to disappear, it begs the question of self driving cars and satellite lots. I am more of a gas and oil kind of person and not so much of an eco-electric / self driving fanatic. Though I am not inclined to this sort of thing, I certainly see the perks of driving your own personal vehicle to a destination and having the vehicle park in an economic parking space outside of the destination. With a call back feature, it would certainly bring better convenience than uber or any sort of rideshare app. How do you see the future in your city? Tate Misiaszek is a Project Manager for LAZ Parking. You can reach Tate at TMisiaszek@lazparking.com.

OAKLAND, CA - The Oakland City Council just approved the installation of 244 Flash Level 2 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and other improvements across eight downtown city parking facilities. The eight newly approved locations will add 244 Level 2 EV chargers to the existing 24 charging stations already installed at the Oakland City Center Garage (525 14th St.) and 32 charging stations at the Rotunda Garage (524 16th St.) for a total of 300. Level 2 chargers provide 240 volts of electricity, allowing nearly all-electric vehicles to charge from empty to full in four to eight hours. “Oakland is committed to building a greener, more sustainable future, and expanding our public EV charging infrastructure is a critical step in that journey. These new chargers will make it easier for Oaklanders—especially those who don’t have access to at-home charging—to choose clean transportation. By investing in this infrastructure now, we’re ensuring that all our communities can benefit from the transition to electric vehicles, reducing emissions and improving air quality for everyone," said Interim Oakland Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “The people of Oakland lead the nation in the transition to electric vehicles, and this gives them convenient, affordable access to the infrastructure they need to sustain the shift and make it a practical choice for more of our residents, especially those who can’t realistically charge at home,” said Josh Rowan, OakDOT Director. This new partnership with Flash will help implement Oakland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan and 2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan, which together provide a roadmap to a zero-emission transportation system in Oakland. The chargers will be installed at no cost to the City and the City will receive half of net revenues from charging. The new EV charging sites will be operational by the end of 2025 – some with on-site battery systems, lighting, and other property improvements – at the following addresses: Oakland Museum of California - 1000 Oak St. Marriott Convention Center - 1001 Broadway St. Pacific Renaissance Plaza - 1002 Webster St. Harrison Garage - 1200 Harrison St. Franklin Plaza Garage - 1735 Franklin St. Telegraph Plaza Garage - 2100 Telegraph Ave. 1800 San Pablo Lot - 1800 San Pablo Ave. Parkway Lot - 360-398 E. 19th St. The new locations join the initial two that went live late last year as part of a growing EV charging ‘Innovation Lab’ Flash is building with a $5.8 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to demonstrate a reliable, scalable model for public charging infrastructure. “The City of Oakland and its residents have embraced electric vehicles and clean transportation,” said Hannon Rasool, director of the CEC’s Fuels and Transportation Division. “The city’s leadership in supporting and installing effective public charging infrastructure helps improve our communities. Oakland is setting an example for how cities can lead across California and the country.” Data from Flash and CEC’s collaboration will provide technical and financial insights to improve efficiency, dependability, and return on investment to the City of Oakland. Flash will also promote the availability of the new EV charging stations through a multi-channel community outreach initiative, including direct outreach to area businesses. “This collaboration with CEC and the City of Oakland is a huge source of pride for us at Flash,” said Matt McCaffree, Vice President & General Manager of EV Charging at Flash. “We’re showing what’s possible for the future of parking plus charging and playing a part in helping Oakland and other smart cities make the EV transition a reality.” About the Oakland Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP) The ECAP establishes actions the City and its partners will take by 2030 to equitably reduce Oakland’s climate emissions and adapt to a changing climate. Part of the ECAP is the Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan, which provides a roadmap for transitioning to a zero-emission transportation system. Learn more here: https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/sustainable-oakland-1 About Flash Flash is a pioneering technology company bringing seamless parking and EV charging experiences to drivers through a first-of-its-kind digital ecosystem. Flash’s platform connects reservable parking and charging in the apps drivers use every day with garage, surface lot, event, and valet parking locations—connected and controlled via a cloud-based operating system with unrivaled intelligence. Customer-obsessed brands partner with Flash to deliver digital, easy-to-use, reliable, and increasingly frictionless experiences to drivers eager to pay for a solution that eliminates wasted time, excess emissions, and stress. The solution has arrived. Visit www.flashparking.com to learn more.

Cities across the country are facing a financial crossroads. As federal and state funding sources become increasingly unpredictable, municipalities must find new ways to sustain critical infrastructure, transit, and public services. The solution is locally controlled revenue through paid parking programs. For too long, free parking has been treated as a given, but maintaining parking infrastructure comes at a cost, one that many cities can no longer afford to subsidize. Paid parking isn’t just about generating revenue. It is about building a self-sustaining municipal model that reinvests local dollars into community improvements. Cities that implement structured parking programs see more than just financial benefits. Demand-based pricing improves congestion, increases turnover, and supports local businesses by ensuring parking availability. Additionally, when cities earmark parking revenue for specific programs such as public transportation, road maintenance, or even affordable housing, it builds public trust and shifts the perception that paid parking is merely a cash grab. Of course, transitioning from free to paid parking isn’t without challenges. Public resistance is common, but the key to success is transparency, equity, and reinvestment. When residents see tangible benefits, opposition decreases and cities can build long-term financial stability without relying on unpredictable external funding. With urban populations growing and mobility evolving, cities need to plan for a future where sustainable local revenue streams support their progress. Paid parking isn’t just a tool for managing vehicles. It is a strategy for building resilient, thriving communities. How should cities reinvest parking revenue to create long-term benefits? Let’s discuss. Brooke Krieger is a Regional Sales Director for ParkMobile, LLC. Brooke can be reached at brooke.krieger@parkmobile.io.

Vancouver, Canada – Parking in the City of Baltimore, MD, USA, just got easier and more modernized for residents and visitors, thanks to The Parking Authority of Baltimore City appointing PayByPhone, a global leader in mobile parking payments, to its parking operations. PayByPhone is now available at parking meters at City-owned parking lots and at on-street metered parking spaces Downtown in the Central Business District, and will be rolled out in Fells Point, Federal Hill, as well as in and around Camden Yards and the Inner Harbor area. Carmen Donnell, Managing Director North America for PayByPhone, says, “We are thrilled to launch PayByPhone in Baltimore and happy that PayByPhone is helping to make the parking experience hassle-free for residents and visitors to Maryland’s largest city and its economic hub. We encourage drivers to download the PayByPhone app now, so they can use the new service immediately. Registration takes less than 30 seconds.” Peter Little, Executive Director of the Parking Authority of Baltimore City, says, “As well as greater flexibility and a better user experience, parkers can opt-in to have text message reminders of when their parking session is about to expire to avoid costly citations.” Cashless parking offers parkers great flexibility. A parking session can be started and completed in three quick steps – entering the location number, entering the duration, and paying. PayByPhone offers parkers the ability to extend their parking session remotely via the app or a wearable device, such as the Apple Watch, without having to return to their vehicle or visit a payment kiosk. Parkers using PayByPhone also have access to the app’s Maps and the Nearby Parking features. The Maps feature allows drivers to locate parking before they leave for their destination and to pin their vehicle location onto the map once they have parked. The Nearby Parking feature instantly provides them with the closest PayByPhone parking location number. And the app is available in 11 languages globally, including Spanish and Italian, making it incredibly inclusive for those who live, work, and visit Baltimore. For a full list of areas where PayByPhone is available, and to start using it today, download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store or visit the PayByPhone website www.paybyphone.com. ABOUT PAYBYPHONE PayByPhone is more than just parking. We simplify the journeys for millions of people through our smart, intuitive mobile payment technology and exciting features. We work with over 1,400 clients across North America, the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. 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. Contact: Sarah Claridge Communications Consultant Indaba sarah.claridge@weareindaba.com (+44) 207 692 4964

As a member of the IPMI Policy & Legislative Task Force, our cohort provides strategic guidance and recommendations on policies and regulations impacting the parking and mobility industry. As part of our initiatives that inform policymakers, stakeholders, and the public on effective strategies for improving urban mobility through well-planned parking policies, we are sharing this example from Pennsylvania to demonstrate specific advocacy efforts. In Pennsylvania, updating state laws that govern parking in cities of the 1st, 2nd, 2A, and 3rd classes has been a long-standing challenge. With 56 municipalities classified as cities, each with its own regulations, navigating legislative reform is no small feat. To streamline advocacy efforts, the Pennsylvania Parking Association (PTAP) is taking inspiration from the California Parking Association, which has spent over 25 years championing the parking industry. With the help of a seasoned advocacy firm, PTAP members will receive timely legislative updates and have access to resources that amplify their voices in policy discussions. This coordinated effort ensures fair regulations, increased revenue opportunities, and improved city parking management. Past Success and Future Goals In 2017-2018, PTAP successfully advocated for legislation allowing Cities of the 3rd class to adjudicate parking tickets outside of District Justice courts. This change streamlined payment processing, improved offender experience, and alleviated court backlogs. For 2025, PTAP’s Advocacy Committee has identified three key priorities: Front-Facing License Plates – Pennsylvania is one of only 20 states that do not mandate front-facing plates. Implementing this requirement will enhance license plate recognition (LPR) technology for efficient enforcement. Red Light & Speed Cameras Operated by Parking Authorities – Expanding automated enforcement, similar to successful programs in Philadelphia, can improve safety, reduce court congestion, and generate municipal revenue. State-Backed Enforcement of Unpaid Fines – PTAP is advocating for policies that allow for registration holds and driver’s license censure for unpaid citations, ensuring accountability and compliance. Recent Advocacy Efforts PTAP leaders have actively participated in legislative discussions, meeting with policymakers to advocate for meaningful reform. On May 3, 2023, they engaged with the PA House and Senate Transportation Committees to discuss policy priorities. Nearly a year later, on May 1, 2024, PTAP representatives and industry experts provided testimony at the Senate Transportation Committee Hearing. Most recently, on June 11, 2024, they held a virtual meeting with PennDOT to explore enforcement mechanisms for unpaid fines. Join the Movement As cities and municipalities set their own agendas, having a dedicated advocacy firm ensures that parking and transportation priorities remain in focus. By uniting behind a common goal, PTAP members can drive legislative success, making parking more efficient and equitable across Pennsylvania. As the saying goes, when the tide rises, all boats rise—and with PTAP’s advocacy efforts, Pennsylvania’s parking future looks brighter than ever. IPMI members, be sure to sign up for our open community on Forum, the Policy and Legislation Community to find out more, start discussions, and hear how IPMI members are effectively using policy to streamline their operations. Mark A. Vergenes is a consultant for Mirus Consultants. Mark can be reached at mark@mirusconsultants.com.