Parking Lots

Mount Pleasant, NY – Mobile Smart City Pango, a leading provider of mobile payment solutions for parking and transit services, is excited to announce its expansion in Mount Pleasant, NY. This strategic move aims to enhance the parking experience for residents and visitors by offering a convenient and user-friendly mobile payment app. The Pango Mobile Payment App allows users to manage their parking experience effortlessly through their smartphones. With features such as credit/debit card payments, Pango Wallet, and support for PayPal and Venmo, the app provides multiple funding source choices. Users can also manage their accounts, add, or delete vehicles, review parking history, and more through the app or the website www.mypango.com. "We are thrilled to be expanding our solutions with the Town of Mount Pleasant and bring our innovative mobile payment solutions to the community," said John J. Incandela, CEO of Mobile Smart City Pango. "Our goal is to make parking seamless and convenient as possible for everyone." The expansion includes the introduction of designated Pango daily parking spots at the Valhalla and Hawthorne parking lots. These spots are reserved exclusively for Pango users, ensuring a hassle-free parking experience. The app also offers real-time enforcement and traffic analytics, further enhancing the efficiency of parking operations in the town. Residents and visitors can start using the Pango app by downloading it from the app store or visiting www.mypango.com. The app is free to download, and users only pay for parking plus a convenience fee. The 24/7 Customer Care Call Center is available for support at 1-877-697-2646. For more information about Mobile Smart City Pango and its services, please visit www.mypango.com or contact Mark Tulloch at mtulloch@mobilesmart.city or call 1-844-726-4644. About Smart Mobile City Pango Mobile Smart City Pango, a division of Mobile Smart City Corp., is a Fintech company providing mobile payment services for parking, transit, ride-hail, and other city services. Its offerings include mobile payments, enforcement, permits, navigation, contactless solutions, and smart routing. The company's headquarters is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Organized by the European Parking Association (EPA) from its new base in Brussels, the 21st European Parking Conference & Exhibition is the next edition of the sector’s flagship biennial event.

We are all aware of the famous Benjamin Franklin quote “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”, yet again and again we are reminded how true that is.  As Parking Professionals, we are often tasked with creating plans and having a plan for an abundance of programs like; Standard Operating Plans, Emergency Action Plans, ADA Plans, Customer Service Plans, Revenue Control Plans, the list goes on and on.  However, Facility Maintenance and Capital Improvement plans seem to take a back seat to the more “parking operational plan” types when in reality, Maintenance and Capital Improvement plans need to be on the top of every parking manager’s priority list.  Failing to prioritize these areas can result in costly repairs and disruptions to parking operations, which ultimately could lead to lost revenue for the owner. As we know, parking often forms the first and last impression a guest has of a building or business, influencing their overall perception.  Yet, many owners fail to implement proper facility maintenance or capital improvement plans for aging parking facilities. Post-tension repairs, concrete repairs, and membrane repairs are rarely considered "exciting" projects that owners are eager to showcase. These projects are typically dusty, noisy, time-consuming, disruptive to parking operations, and VERY EXPENSIVE, so they often get pushed aside in favor of more visually appealing upgrades to the main building or guest entryway. As parking professionals responsible for parking operations, it’s crucial that we communicate with ownership/stakeholders and advocate for a seat at the table to contribute to the discussion on a preliminary capital improvement plan. While most of us may not be engineers by trade, it’s important to familiarize ourselves with the types of parking structures we manage and recognize signs of deterioration. Keep in mind, it will be far more costly to completely rebuild a deteriorating parking facility than to allocate funds annually for ongoing repairs and maintenance. Vincent Campagna, CAPP, is a Manager, Parking & Ground Transportation for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Vincent can be reached at vcampagna@mitchellairport.com.

As a proud Gen Xer, card carrying member of the MTV generation and certified latchkey kid, I grew up on bowls of sugary cereal watching Saturday morning cartoons.  Hands up.  Who thought at this point in history we’d all be flying around in our Jetson cars?  Come on.  You aren’t kidding anyone.  We all did. Fast forward and we are hearing about autonomous vehicles and AI driven technologies shaping our lives.  More and more cities are nixing the urban sprawl in favor of bringing people back into the cities.  We are bombarded with green initiatives, bike to work, public transportation instead of driving, carpooling, scooters on the go and even remote work so you don’t have to drive anywhere.  We’ve gotten so accustomed to being able to work from home, ordering groceries for delivery, everything you need to buy can be there in a matter of hours right from your phone, you can Uber where you want.  All that and we still find ourselves sitting in traffic.  Despite what would be the most logical conclusion, shockingly car ownership has increased.  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration “Highway Statistics 2022”, car ownership increased from 90.7% in 2015 to 91.7% in 2022.  Who’s to say that this trend doesn’t start reversing.  Empty land is scarce, and parking is even more so.  We’ve always been told “what goes up must come down”. It begs to question…. what next? With what seems to be all that stacked against us, how does parking remain relevant?  Admittedly, I’m kind of a Syfy buff.  Especially Twilight Zone.  One of my all-time favorites was an episode called the “Obsolete Man”.  The whole premise is that The State finds a librarian to be obsolete and he was to be sentenced to death.  It sounds crazy and farfetched, but in all reality how does parking not become obsolete?  What can we do to make sure that doesn’t happen?  That weighs on me every day.  EVERY.  DAY.  How will parking look in 5 years?  10?  30?  How has parking changed since 1995 until now?  I’m certain most of you will say quite a bit.  So, what would make us think that in another 30 years it isn’t going to be completely unrecognizable?   As the CFO of the Parking Authority, I am constantly focused on the future of this organization and industry.  I worry about how decisions will affect viability.  We have retirees to think about. Who am I kidding.  I have my own retirement to think about.  Do we invest in an up-and-coming area?  Do we opt to downsize?  Do we double down on EV charging infrastructure?  Should we investigate converting lots into multiuse facilities?  Ditch the card readers and go to apps only?  It can be truly exhausting.  But also, one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had.  Who knew there was so much to parking?  Certainly not me.  That said, I’m going to petition to have Chief Financial Officer title changed to Chief Future Officer.  Jodi Hart, CPA, CFE, CAPP, is the Chief Financial Officer for Pittsburgh Parking Authority. Jodi can be reached at jhart@pittsburghparking.com.

Miami, FL – Premium Parking, a leading provider of innovative free flow parking solutions, is excited to announce the launch of its cutting-edge, on-demand payment system at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins. This weekend's highly anticipated Savannah Bananas events will mark the official debut of this enhanced parking experience. Premium Parking’s technology will allow fans will simply drive into designated parking areas, park, and use their mobile devices to pay for parking using their license plate as their credential. This system offers convenience and efficiency, allowing fans to focus on enjoying the event from the moment they arrive. “We are thrilled to partner with loanDepot park to bring our innovative parking solutions to Miami on a large-scale,” said Mike McKeon, Vice President of Venues & Events at Premium Parking. “Our on-demand payment system is designed to enhance the fan experience by eliminating unnecessary delays and providing a hassle-free parking process. Starting with the Savannah Bananas events, we are confident that fans will appreciate the convenience and efficiency of our technology.” The transition to Premium Parking's system is a testament to loanDepot park’s commitment to providing a best-in-class experience for its patrons. By leveraging Premium Parking’s technology, loanDepot park will optimize parking operations, improve traffic flow, and enhance overall customer satisfaction. “We are always looking for ways to improve the fan experience at loanDepot park,” said Anthony Favata, Vice President of Operations & Events at loanDepot park. “Premium Parking’s on-demand payment system aligns with our goal of providing convenient and efficient services for our guests. We are excited to introduce this technology and believe it will significantly enhance the parking experience for all events, starting with the Savannah Bananas this weekend and throughout the Marlins season.” Premium Parking’s system also provides real-time data and analytics, enabling loanDepot park to monitor parking occupancy and make informed decisions to optimize parking operations. This data-driven approach ensures efficient parking management and improved revenue generation. Attendees of the Savannah Bananas events this weekend will be the first to experience the convenience of Premium Parking’s on-demand payment system. Clear and concise signage will be provided throughout the parking areas to guide fans through the simple payment process. About Premium Parking  Premium has rethought the entire value-creation chain for properties, from the way parking is designed and managed (without gates), how offices and campuses manage permits, to how residents and visitors integrate with businesses and venues, and how new value is distributed among stakeholders and clients. This paradigm shift uses modern cloud infrastructure, AI camera technology, mobile payments; clear, friendly policies, combined with service excellence, to make cities and places everywhere more discoverable and accessible. Headquartered in New Orleans, Premium Parking operates in over 40 cities across the U.S. and focuses on transforming parking through gateless, mobile-first technologies. The company can be found online at www.premiumparking.com. About loanDepot park loanDepot park is the home of the Miami Marlins and world-class special events. loanDepot, the Official Mortgage Provider of Major League Baseball and the Presenting Sponsor of the MLB American and National League Championship Series, secured the exclusive naming rights for the venue. This multi-year relationship brings together two rising and celebrated organizations with a common vision for providing exceptional, impactful experiences for customers and fans. Media Contacts: For Premium Parking: Bill Smith Smith Phillips Strategic Communications (for Premium Parking) bsmith@smith-phillips.com For loanDepot park: Jon Erik Alvarez Miami Marlins jalvarez@marlins.com

If you are reading this, chances are, you are involved in the parking or transportation industry. What do you think about inter-city transportation in your city? Is it useful or unusable? What are some of the hardships of public transportation? In our city we have a wide and well-funded public transportation system, yet somehow, it is often late and unused. We are a beachside tourist destination and find that rental cars and beach cruisers often trump the amount of public transportation used. This is great for our local parking resources but at what cost? Why have such a well funded transportation system when beach cruisers and pedestrians are running rampant across the city during our peak season? We have found in our city specifically that people are choosing to stay away from public transportation due to the stories they have heard regardless of the amount of marketing our public transportation system is putting out. With the amount of marketing and advertising the city is using to push the public transportation system, why are we not moving that funding into bettering our sidewalks and bicycle lanes? The people have spoken, and we would like to focus on a more eco friendly focus on inter city transportation! Tate Misiaszek, CAPP is a Project Manager for LAZ Parking. You can reach Tate at TMisiaszek@lazparking.com.

Parking. It’s one of those daily puzzles that many of us don’t think much about until we’re searching for a spot. But behind every parking spot and restriction in your city, there’s more going on than you may know. In most municipalities, parking regulations aren’t just made-up thoughts by a few city employees. They’re the result of a careful balancing act involving several key stakeholders. City governments often establish parking restrictions to ensure safety, ease traffic flow, and make room for residents, businesses, and visitors. But how do these decisions come to about? Who’s Involved? Local Government: The city council or other elected officials are the ones who ultimately pass ordinances that establish parking rules. These decisions usually follow recommendations from city planners, transportation experts, and traffic management. City’s SME (Subject Matter Experts)- City Planners, Traffic Management, & Transportation Experts: These professionals analyze traffic patterns, pedestrian safety, and the availability or required number of parking spaces to recommend for specific areas. Residents & Business Owners: As the people most affected by parking rules, residents and local business owners often have a voice in the process. Public outreach is important. Conducting public hearings, surveys, and consultations give them the opportunity to weigh in on potential changes. Police and Enforcement Departments: These groups ensure the rules are followed, helping to maintain order on the streets. Their feedback is essential in determining whether current restrictions are effective or need adjustments. It's All About Balance Parking restrictions aren't just about limiting where you can park. They’re about creating a system that works for everyone—residents, business owners, and even people just passing through. A city might need to balance the needs of local commuters, visitors, and people who live in the area. Too few spots? It becomes a hassle for residents. Too many restrictions? Businesses might suffer, and people may park illegally. In the end, while it may seem like just another city rule, parking restrictions reflect the effort to make the community run smoothly. And it’s clear: it’s not something any one person can do alone. Tavris Parker, CAPP, is a Parking Operations Manager for the City of Virginia Beach. Tavris can be reached at TParker@vbgov.com.

Urbiotica expands its range of parking space detection sensors with the launch of U-Spot IoT for surface installation, a new version of the successful U-Spot M2M and 3.0 parking sensor. This innovation maintains the same reliability and accuracy while offering a faster and simpler installation process. With this new product, Urbiotica addresses market needs and opens new opportunities for integrators and municipalities, enabling parking space detection systems in projects where in-ground sensors were previously unfeasible or uncompetitive. What’s New? U-Spot Surface offers the same technology and reliability as our in-ground sensor but comes with an optimized casing for surface installation. This solution provides: Lower installation costs: Quick deployment without major technical requirements, optimizing time and resources.  Greater flexibility: Can be installed in a variety of environments without drilling. More project opportunities: Access to tenders and sectors where in-ground sensor installation was a limiting factor. Quick Installation Tailored to Each Need The U-Spot Surface has been designed to adapt to different environments and installation requirements: With screws: Urbiotica’s standard method, ensuring maximum stability and vandalism resistance. With adhesive: An ideal option for environments where drilling is not permitted, allowing installation without altering the existing surface. When to Choose U-Spot Surface? The surface version is the best option for environments that require a more agile and cost-effective installation without compromising accuracy: Indoor and off-street parking, where in-ground installation can be more expensive or unnecessary, or when replacing wired systems to eliminate electrical dependencies and reduce maintenance costs. Rooftops and modular structures, where drilling or ground modifications are not allowed. Projects with installation cost constraints, making space detection viable in more locations. Meanwhile, the in-ground version remains the best choice for: Areas with high vandalism risk.  Public spaces with regulations regarding surface elements.  Snow-prone regions, where the sensor is protected from damage by snowplows. Advancing Parking Digitalization The launch of the U-Spot IoT Surface reinforces Urbiotica’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in parking management and mobility. With this new version, we expand implementation possibilities and facilitate the deployment of parking guidance systems in more environments. Want more information or to explore its application in your project? Contact our team to discover how the U-Spot Surface can benefit you: info@urbiotica.com About Urbiotica Urbiotica specializes in smart mobility solutions, offering advanced IoT technology for parking management. With a presence in over 50 countries, its mission is to enhance urban efficiency through innovative digital solutions.

In October 2024, I wrote about how the City of Richmond was embarking on a study on a hybrid parking permit model. The key objective was to examine the feasibility and best practices surrounding a hybrid residential/employee parking permit program and examine shared parking opportunities between public and private entities within the parking districts. As urban areas continue to evolve with the removal of parking minimums, so do the challenges, which has led to city officials and residents voicing concerns about the potential negative impacts from this change in zoning parking legislation. Understanding the Challenge Residential parking permit regulations differ among Richmond's five districts because all five districts have unique characteristics, such as permit issuance programs, surrounding land use, opportunities for shared parking, and their unique personalities. Other complexities include: a growing residential population, increased competition for limited spaces, and the future integration of commercial parking needs. Insights from Peer Communities The city contracted with DESMAN to conduct the study. To craft informed recommendations, DESMAN analyzed two peer communities: Columbus, Ohio and Virginia Beach, Virginia. Columbus features a hybrid permit parking model in its Short North District. The fee structure for permits is variable or tiered; for instance, a first employee permit costs $100 annually for one and gradually increases per permit where the tenth is $700. This tiered fee approach to pricing could serve as a guideline for Richmond to help maintain fairness and efficiency. Virginia Beach, on the other hand, presents a monthly permit fee structure at $10 per month, contrasting with Columbus’s annual charges. DESMAN did not recommend implementing a full hybrid permit parking system uniform across all five Richmond districts. However, the study indicated that certain parts of a hybrid permit parking system could be beneficial for some of our residential districts and employees. Possible next steps proposed in the study include: The incorporation of shared parking arrangements, to leverage underutilized spaces, such as those at local churches or libraries during off-peak hours. The establishment of a pilot program incentivizing residents to construct off-street parking pads, alleviating some pressure from on-street spaces. Consider acquiring vacant lots for small permit parking lots, providing more options for parking availability. Pilot a limited number of employee parking permits for businesses to help understand the impacts of a hybrid system. Richmond stands at a crossroads regarding its parking policies, however strategic solutions and learned insights from peer cities do offer a pathway forward. Emphasizing shared resources, innovative pilot programs, and streamlined regulations may lead to a comprehensive solution that accommodates the needs of both residents and businesses, fostering a thriving urban environment for all. Steven Bergin, CAPP, is an Operation Manager for the City of Richmond, Virginia. You can reach Steven at Steven.Bergin@RVA.gov.

ATLANTA, GA – Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS), home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United, has announced a new partnership with ParkHub, the leading event parking technology provider in the United States. This collaboration aims to transform the fan experience from the moment tickets are purchased, delivering a streamlined and stress-free parking experience for fans. The partnership, launching February 10, 2025, will leverage ParkHub’s suite of advanced parking technologies, including its flagship reservation products—EventPass, SeasonPass, and CompPass—as well as its cutting-edge Suite platform for real-time operations management. These tools will enable MBS to centralize parking operations, track and report activity, and gain valuable insights to ensure fan satisfaction. ParkHub has also partnered with numerous third-party parking operators, managing 45 nearby sites to provide visitors to MBS even greater access to parking by the venue. The partnership provides fans with pre-bookable parking options tailored to their preferences, such as cost and proximity to the stadium. By offering both on- and-off site-parking, the new systems in place will also help to ease traffic congestion on game days directly around MBS. “Our goal is to deliver a seamless and welcoming experience for every fan who visits Mercedes-Benz Stadium," says Director, Physical Security and Parking, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Eric Young. "Partnering with ParkHub allows us to enhance the parking process, ensuring that this critical first step of a fan’s journey is as smooth and efficient as possible. Their innovative technology and dedication to customer service were key factors in our decision and we look forward to a successful partnership.” This collaboration has been enabled by ParkHub’s recent strategic merger with JustPark, the UK’s leading parking app, supporting 13 million drivers. The merger expanded ParkHub’s capabilities to include prepaid event parking reservations, offering an elevated solution for its sports and entertainment customers seeking a centralized system to manage parking passes and operations under one unified platform. The deal introduces a host of advanced technologies from ParkHub that underscore MBS’s commitment to delivering unparalleled convenience and service to attendees, including: EventPass: A dynamic reservation platform that allows fans to pre-book official stadium parking or nearby third-party options for individual events, ensuring guaranteed parking and eliminating game-day stress. SeasonPass: Digital season-long parking passes with special access tiers for premium ticket holders, offering flexible and seamless transferability. CompPass: A sophisticated digital distribution system for managing parking passes for employees, VIPs, and suite holders. Suite: A comprehensive operations system that provides real-time insights and control over parking inventory, improving operational efficiency and delivering a superior fan experience. “Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a leader in providing innovative fan experiences, and we are honored to play a role in elevating that journey,” said Charley DeBow, SVP of Sales & Strategic Partnerships at ParkHub. “Our technology not only simplifies parking operations but also offers valuable data insights that enhance fan engagement and streamline stadium logistics. By connecting fans with efficient parking solutions, we’re helping MBS deliver a premium experience that reflects their commitment to excellence on and off the field.” Single-event and season parking passes will be available for purchase starting February 10 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium parking website: https://parking.mercedesbenzstadium.com/. For more information please contact: Media Enquiries: Sarah Jackson E: media@justpark.com About ParkHub ParkHub is the leading integrating software, payments, and data insights provider for the North American market. ParkHub solutions include multiple payment options, real-time operational data, robust performance analytics, dynamic pricing, and is the industry leader in seamless integrations with the nation’s renowned ticketing and parking reservation providers. For more information, visit ParkHub.com. About Mercedes-Benz Stadium Opened in August 2017, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a world-class sports and entertainment venue in downtown Atlanta and home to the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United. The multi-purpose stadium was named the 2019 Sports Facility of the Year and is host to major sports and entertainment events, including the 3031 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, 2026 World Cup, the 2018 and 2025 College Football Playoff National Championships, the 2018 MLS Cup, and Super Bowl LIII. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the first professional sports stadium in North America to achieve LEED Platinum Certification and the first stadium worldwide to achieve TRUE Platinum Certification for zero waste by the United States Green Building Council. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is proud to be collaborating with naming rights partner Mercedes-Benz and thirteen founding partners including Coca-Cola, Equifax, The Home Depot, Novelis, SCANA Energy, Truist, IBM, Georgia Power, American Family Insurance, Global Payments, Ticketmaster, Delta Airlines, and Emory. To learn more about Mercedes-Benz Stadium visit www.mercedesbenzstadium.com.  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Calabasas, CA – Frogparking is thrilled to announce an innovative partnership with The City of Calabasas. Frogparking, a leading provider of smart parking technology, is excited to enhance parking availability and efficiency across the city. This collaboration will introduce a multi-stage implementation of cutting-edge parking sensors, aimed at delivering real-time data and insights to optimize parking infrastructure. The first stage of this partnership involves the pilot installation of 48 state-of-the-art parking sensors and gateways outside City Hall. This initial phase will serve as a testbed to gather and evaluate crucial data on parking demand, utilization, and turnover. By providing real-time updates on parking availability, the pilot aims to improve the parking experience for residents and visitors alike. "We are excited to partner with Frogparking to bring innovative parking solutions to Calabasas. This initiative will not only enhance the parking experience for our residents and visitors but also provide us with essential data to make informed decisions for the future," said Michael Klein, Community Development Director, City of Calabasas. A key aspect of this partnership is the emphasis on data collection and analysis. Frogparking's system will provide the City of Calabasas with valuable insights into parking patterns, demand, and turnover rates. This data will empower city officials to make informed business decisions, optimize parking management strategies, and improve overall urban planning. "Frogparking is proud to collaborate with the City of Calabasas on this future-focused project. Our advanced technology will provide real-time parking information, making it easier for everyone to find parking and helping the city manage its resources more effectively," said Shareena Sandbrook, Chief Executive Officer of Frogparking. About Frogparking Frogparking is a leading provider of parking management technology, offering advanced tech to optimize parking infrastructure and improve urban mobility. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability and excellence, Frogparking delivers real-time data and insights that empower cities to make informed decisions and enhance the parking experience for all users.

Anchorage, AK – EasyPark is excited to announce a new ordinance to improve parking accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Starting December 1, 2024, the ordinance introduces key changes to make Anchorage more inclusive: Free Mobility Parking Permits: Mobility parking permits will now be issued free of charge to qualified individuals, eliminating financial barriers for those in need. Free Street Meter Parking: Individuals with a state-issued disability placard or license plate with parking privileges can park at any street meter for free, with the same benefit of a more extended stay at handicapped designated on-street spaces. Increased Fines for Violations: Fines for unauthorized use of handicapped parking meter spaces will be significantly raised to deter misuse and ensure compliance. “These changes are designed to enhance mobility and accessibility in downtown Anchorage,” said Jeff Read, Parking Director of EasyPark. “By removing costs and ensuring proper enforcement, we’re making Anchorage a city that supports everyone.” EasyPark remains committed to fostering fairness and inclusivity in Anchorage’s parking system, ensuring equitable access for all residents and visitors to the city. About EasyPark EasyPark is your trusted partner for innovative parking mobility services within the Municipality of Anchorage. Operated by the Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA), EasyPark provides the "Right Space, Right Place" for downtown Anchorage residents, businesses, and visitors. As a self-funded public corporate authority, ACDA operates independently and does not use taxpayer dollars. This allows EasyPark to manage and maintain over 6,000 parking spaces while reinvesting its resources into creating a more accessible, vibrant, and efficient parking ecosystem. With a focus on convenience, innovation, and community development, EasyPark is committed to delivering seamless parking solutions that enhance mobility and support the growth of Anchorage’s urban center.