Municipal/Cities

Parking is attracting more legislative attention today than at any point in recent memory. Bills related to parking fees, enforcement practices, towing, parking requirements, and local authority are appearing with greater frequency across state legislatures. This trend is not coincidental. It is rooted in a fundamental shift in how local governments fund themselves.

Indianapolis, IN — A new study from T2 Systems finds that the time city drivers spend searching for a parking space is causing many to choose rideshare or public transit to avoid parking challenges. In some cases, frustration over limited parking availability is escalating, contributing to conflict.

Charlotte, NC – Cities across North America are increasingly focusing on compliance when it comes to how they manage parking, prioritizing behavior change and operational efficiency over citation volume, according to a new study from Passport, the most trusted technology partner for innovative curb management solutions. Based on responses from hundreds of Passport’s 800 cities and private operator partners across North America, the Passport 2025 Parking Compliance Trends Survey finds nearly half of cities cite driving compliance as their primary parking goal. “The sentiment around investing in enforcement technology and similar tools to drive payment compliance has evolved drastically over the last several years,” said Khristian Gutierrez, co-founder and CEO of Passport. “These survey results reflect a broader shift in how municipalities emphasize payment behavior, reinforcing Passport’s mission to help cities seamlessly update antiquated models and modernize curbside operations.” Digital tools are playing a central role. Most respondents report that between 26% and 75% of parking transactions now occur via mobile payments, highlighting wide variation across cities. Smaller and mid-sized cities often remain at the lower end of this range due to more limited enforcement capabilities, but as cities invest in enforcement software, mobile payment adoption accelerates, positioning many to exceed 75% of transactions via mobile payments by 2026. More than half of respondents have already moved to digital, license plate–based permits, and mobile enforcement software was cited as the technology with the greatest impact on operational efficiency, followed by license plate recognition. Despite growing technology adoption, staffing constraints and public perception remain major factors shaping compliance outcomes. Limited enforcement resources and community resistance were cited more frequently than technology limitations, highlighting that compliance is as much a human challenge as a technical one. Cities are also refining how they measure success. While increases in paid parking transactions are the most common metric, many still rely on citation counts, signaling a shift toward outcome-based evaluation models. Looking ahead, respondents expect greater digital enforcement, automation, and connected systems to define parking compliance in the next three to five years. “Disconnected systems and limited staff capacity often force teams into manual workarounds, driving slower translation of insights into action,” added Gene Rohrwasser, CTO of Passport. “As systems become more integrated, real-time, and data becomes more actionable, compliance-first strategies will be easier to implement, measure, and scale.” Passport has processed over $4 billion in curbside payments and supports more than 800 municipalities and private operators across the U.S. and Canada, including a new partnership with the City of Boston. Its platform touches one in five Americans through tools like digital permits, mobile parking payments, and citation management. To see the full study, visit passportinc.com/trends-report. 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

Hartford, CT – Propark Mobility announced that the company has acquired Pittsburgh Valet, a premier valet service provider serving Western Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. “Pittsburgh Valet has earned a respected reputation in Western Pennsylvania by focusing on people and delivering a consistently strong guest experience,” said David Schmid, Chief Executive Officer of Propark Mobility. “Their commitment to professionalism and service aligns closely with our own values, and we’re excited to welcome their team to Propark and support their continued success across the region.” With more than 20 years of experience, Pittsburgh Valet provides valet service for a wide range of clients, including full-service hotels, medical centers, restaurants, residential and corporate facilities, sporting venues, and private events. The company is known for a polished, guest-friendly approach and tailors its parking service to the needs of each venue. “Pittsburgh Valet has always been about taking pride in our people and the experience we deliver,” said Rich Nerone, Owner of Pittsburgh Valet. “Partnering with Propark allows us to build on the service our clients and guests already count on. With added technology and systems support, we can bring even more consistency and convenience while staying true to our local roots.” This acquisition continues Propark Mobility’s growth in key U.S. markets and strengthens the company’s ability to support hospitality-driven service across a broader geographic footprint, including added technology and operational resources for clients in Western Pennsylvania. To learn more about Propark’s acquisition process, visit www.propark.com/acquisitions. About Propark Mobility Propark Mobility is a national, innovation-driven parking management company that provides full-service parking and mobility services for over 1,000 hospitality, healthcare, commercial, and off-airport locations in over 250 cities across the United States. For more information, please visit www.propark.com.

The Town of Breckenridge, one of the busiest ski resort towns in the US, has launched a comprehensive parking study to evaluate existing parking conditions and develop long-term, data-driven strategies that balance quality of life for residents with a high-quality visitor experience. The study is being led by DJ&A as prime consultant, with Parkalytics providing specialized parking data collection and analytics support. Parkalytics’ role in the study focuses on delivering high-resolution parking utilization data across a large geographic area. The firm has already completed two 14-hour parking counts in December, capturing peak winter holiday conditions. Additional data collection efforts are planned for spring and summer to ensure the study reflects a full range of demand scenarios. “DJ&A is pleased to lead the Breckenridge Parking Study, supported by the data collection capabilities and analytical expertise of Parkalytics,” said Bill Delo, Senior Project Manager and Transportation Planner at DJ&A. “As project lead, our focus is on identifying strategies to optimize use of the Town’s parking infrastructure through evaluation of existing parking patterns and development of forward-thinking recommendations. The integration of Parkalytics’ specialized data collection approach and analytics is integral to our analysis, providing the data and visualizations to inform our recommendations to enhance the parking program in Breckenridge.” “Resort towns like Breckenridge present some of the most challenging parking environments in the industry, with large geographic footprints, extreme seasonal swings, and competing demands from residents, employees, and visitors,” said Peter Richards, CEO of Parkalytics. “We are proud to support DJ&A and the Town of Breckenridge by providing the hard-to-collect data that makes meaningful, data-driven decisions possible. Our role is to complement DJ&A’s planning expertise with detailed analytics and visualizations that help turn complex conditions into clear, actionable insights.” “The Town of Breckenridge is excited to be working with Parkalytics, through project principal DJ&A, to utilize their innovative technology and analysis to better understand parking patterns across the over 4,000 parking stalls spread across multiple surface lots and on-street offerings,” said Matt Husley, Assistant Public Works Director - Mobility, Sustainability, and Parking for the Town of Breckenridge. “We are confident that this technology will allow staff to make recommendations to Town Council on how best to deploy our limited parking resources in one of the United States most popular mountain resort communities. Balancing the needs of our locals, workforce, and visitors is imperative to creating the friendly and welcoming environment Breckenridge is known for.” See a 360 degree drone video of Breckenridge on the Parkalytics YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/BMtE260Xfek?si=Yc1tld1B4Z4TuzvM About Parkalytics Parkalytics is a drone parking data collection and software company, providing space by space analysis across cities and surface parking lots. Parkalytics determines parking utilization, vehicle turnover, and parking duration at scale, all without collecting any personally identifiable information.  Learn more at https://www.parkalytics.com/

Arrive’s, 2026 Urban Mobility Compass’ is a collection of insights from experts and leaders across the industry. This report maps out the key trends across major sectors of the mobility landscape, highlighting the expanding role of data in creating connected, smarter services that will help define the future of urban mobility. The 2026 Urban Mobility Compass covers key industry areas including parking, public transport, the digital in-car experience, as well as areas which impact multiple sectors including payments, AI and data-driven insights. The compass includes insights from Arrive CEO, Cameron Clayton, and leaders for the company’s business units including Parking, Automotive & Data, Transport, Payments, Data & AI, Insights and Security & Cyber Resilience. Key trends covered in the Urban Mobility Compass 2026 include: The increasing use of AI across the mobility industry brings opportunities to ease friction Drive for a more cohesive in-car experience for both private and fleet drivers The integration of parking management systems, creating an easier to navigate landscape for cities How growing digitization in public transport ticketing and insights gathering for cities is unlocking easier multi-modal journeys and a better understanding of transport patterns The rise of the open market for Mobile Parking Payment apps as cities move away from the current tender based procurement model to provide better consumer choice For the full overview of what to expect in urban mobility in 2026, you can find the full 2026 Urban Mobility Compass, here. Press Contact: Contact us at: mediarelations@arrive.com Follow Arrive in our newsroom: https://news.cision.com/arrive About Arrive Arrive is a leading global mobility platform with the mission to ease movement in cities. Through its family of brands, including EasyPark, Flowbird, RingGo, ParkMobile and Parkopedia, the company is present in more than 20,000 cities across 90 countries, helping people and decision-makers make smarter choices about urban travel. Arrive makes cities more livable through delivering core competencies from smart payments and optimizing parking solutions, to data-driven traffic reduction measures and refining public transport networks. For more information and news, visit arrive.com.

New York - ABM (NYSE: ABM), a leading provider of energy infrastructure and facility solutions, has been selected by the Alexandria, Virginia, Transit Company (DASH), to deliver critical EV charging infrastructure that supports the growing electrification of the city's public bus fleet. Under the agreement, ABM provided and installed an in-route pantograph charger, accompanying power cabinets, electrical infrastructure, and civil foundation work. The solution enables DASH buses to charge while in service, expanding route flexibility and supporting uninterrupted operations for Alexandria’s fast-growing electric fleet. “This project represents a forward-thinking investment in clean, reliable transit,” said Mark Hawkinson, President of Technical Solutions, ABM. “We’re proud to help DASH take this important step in expanding their electric bus capabilities and enhancing service for the Alexandria community.” A Milestone in Fleet Electrification The installation is part of the first phase of a broader electrification plan for DASH, transporting more than 15,000 riders daily and over 5.3 million riders annually. By enabling in-route charging, the project helps extend operational range, reduce downtime, and lower greenhouse gas emissions—all while supporting a better rider experience. The milestone was completed through the EV Charging Station Equipment and Services cooperative purchasing agreement under NASPO ValuePoint, a national cooperative purchasing program that allows public entities to streamline the procurement of high-quality, vetted infrastructure solutions. Rider-Centered Benefits DASH riders will directly benefit from this upgrade as it enhances operational flexibility, keeps buses on schedule, and ensures a reliable service experience. For the agency, it provides a scalable solution as electrification expands and further in-route or depot charging assets are deployed in future phases. About ABM ABM (NYSE: ABM) is one of the world’s largest providers of integrated facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions. Every day, our over 100,000 team members deliver essential services that make spaces cleaner, safer, and more efficient—enhancing the overall occupant experience. ABM serves a wide range of market sectors including commercial real estate, aviation, education, mission critical, and manufacturing and distribution. With over $8 billion in annual revenue and a blue-chip client base, ABM delivers innovative technologies and sustainable solutions that enhance facilities and empower clients to achieve their goals. Committed to creating smarter, more connected spaces, ABM is investing in the future to meet evolving challenges and build a healthier, thriving world. ABM: Driving possibility, together. For more information, visit www.abm.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Valentino media@abm.com

If the past several years revealed anything about urban mobility, it’s that the curb has quietly become one of the most politically charged, economically valuable, and publicly visible pieces of city infrastructure. Leaders from Austin, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. participated in IPMI’s Building Blocks webinar, where they shared how curb space has transformed from simple parking real estate into a multi-use frontline for transportation, commerce, and public life in their cities. In the not-so-distant past, the curb was a brief pause. A moment between where we were and where we were going. We parallel parked the car, checked for signs, maybe paid a meter, then went on to our destination. Much has changed. The once quiet edge of the street is now a full-blown stage for rideshare zones, sidewalk cafes, e-commerce deliveries, bike lanes, EV charging, micromobility, and bus priority projects. As Ken Hustings noted, curb space has become so valuable that a meter rate increase in Los Angeles was not only acceptable; it helped the city preserve staff positions during a fiscal crisis. The public’s relationship with the curb shifted in a very real way during the pandemic. As downtowns emptied and front doors became loading docks, people noticed just how much work the curb was doing behind the scenes. Take-out, package deliveries, and temporary restaurant patios all depended on it, and when it wasn’t managed well, the impacts were hard to ignore. David Lipscomb, Washington, D.C.’s curbside manager, recalled that this moment was eye-opening for residents. A minor inconvenience had quickly become a safety and access issue as delivery vehicles stacked up, cafe tables spilled onto sidewalks, and curb space was pushed to its limits. The public began paying attention to what mobility professionals had long understood: unmanaged curb space creates chaos. Awareness is just the first step. Turning that awareness into better outcomes requires updated policies and a different kind of leadership. Today’s parking and mobility professionals aren’t just managing assets; they’re also storytellers, educators, and coalition builders. Joseph Al-Hajeri, Austin’s Park Enterprise Manager, described his role as “getting the public to nerd out” about curb management using data, pilots, and transparent communication so that complex policy becomes shared understanding. In today’s rapidly evolving mobility landscape, the curb has become the new City Hall: a high-stakes, high-visibility arena where decisions play out block by block. And those who manage the curb are emerging as some of the most influential communicators shaping urban policy and public understanding. Maria Irshad, PTMP, MPA, is the Deputy Director for The City of Houston (ParkHouston). Maria can be reached at Maria.Irshad@houstontx.gov.

Atlanta, GA — Parking and mobility professional Brooke Bustle Krieger, MPA, has released a new children’s book, The ABCs of Parking, designed to introduce young readers to the systems that help cities function and people get where they need to go. Written with simple language and playful rhymes, The ABCs of Parking explores parking concepts from A to Z — including apps, curbs, garages, signage, and yearly permits — making an often-overlooked part of urban life approachable and engaging for children. The book blends early literacy with real-world learning, helping kids understand how parking supports safe streets, organized cities, and shared public spaces. Krieger, who works in the parking and mobility industry, created the book as a way to translate complex infrastructure concepts into ideas children can grasp. “Parking is one of those systems that quietly touches every trip we take,” said Krieger. “This book is about sparking curiosity and helping kids see how cities work and how thoughtful planning helps communities move.” The ABCs of Parking is intended for families, educators, and mobility professionals alike, and serves as a unique bridge between industry expertise and public education. The book is especially relevant for parking and mobility professionals looking for a relatable way to explain their work to children, students, or community audiences. The book is available now on Amazon in paperback format, with Prime shipping available globally. About the Author Brooke Bustle Krieger, MPA is a parking and mobility professional with experience across public policy, urban systems, and transportation technology. She is the author of Parking the Future and is passionate about making complex city systems more accessible through education, storytelling, and thoughtful design.

The Hill Country destination of Fredericksburg, Texas, may have only about 12,000 residents, but it welcomes roughly 1.5 million visitors a year who come for its wineries, walkable Main Street and small-town charm. With 84 wineries in and around the community and a compact historic downtown, legal curb space is at a premium, especially near tasting rooms, restaurants and hotels. The City of Fredericksburg has installed 11 MPS SafetyStick® devices in some of its most sensitive curbside locations. The initial deployment, completed on August 26, focuses on prohibited parking zones and fire hydrants, where blocked access can slow emergency response and create dangerous conflicts between drivers and pedestrians. With only 37 full-time police officers, city leaders were looking for a way to extend their enforcement reach without pulling officers away from higher-priority calls. The SafetyStick® uses solar power, motion detectors and cameras to monitor no-parking areas and provide clear, time-stamped photo evidence of violations that local authorities can review and act on. “Illegal parking undermines the efforts of those who work hard and follow the rules, signaling that laws can be disregarded,” Lt. Seelig said. “The SafetyStick strengthens our ability to deter illegal parking and enforce compliance with parking regulations.” Fredericksburg selected MPS based on the company’s story and patented innovations in parking enforcement, as well as its track record helping other communities protect critical curb space in no parking zones, at bus stops, in bike lanes and around fire lanes. The SafetyStick® is designed as a force multiplier that supports existing enforcement staff, improves compliance in problem zones and makes it easier for residents, visitors and first responders to move through busy corridors. The new SafetySticks are expected to reduce illegal parking near hydrants and other restricted zones and to free up scarce legal spaces for people who are visiting Main Street, tasting rooms and other attractions. Over time, the Fredericksburg deployment will add another case study to the growing list of tourism destinations that are using smart, solar powered enforcement to keep streets safer and parking fairer for everyone. 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.

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.