Parking Lots

Parking lot safety is at the top of many parking professional’s priority list—and for good reason. However, addressing safety concerns can often be challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. As parking professionals, we're expected to find smart, effective solutions that improve safety, enhance customer satisfaction, and—ideally—increase revenue. And if we’re being honest, we’re often asked to do it on a tight budget... and with a deadline of “tomorrow.” With that reality in mind, here are some low-cost or no-cost ideas to help you improve the safety of your parking facility—without breaking the bank. No-Cost Conduct a Safety Walkthrough Schedule monthly or quarterly walkthroughs of the parking facility. Bring colleagues—more eyes mean more issues caught. Use a simple checklist to document issues such as: Burnt-out or misaligned lights Potholes or cracked pavement Leaking pipes, spalling concrete, or drainage problems Faded line striping or signage Obstructions or tripping hazards Take photos and record observations, then present findings—along with recommendations and estimated costs—to building ownership as a value-added service. Maximize Existing Conditions Conduct a nighttime lighting review to check for dark spots; re-aim fixtures if needed. Clean light fixture lenses to improve brightness—dust, cobwebs, and grime reduce output. Remove and put away any cones, barricades, or objects that may cause tripping or confusion. If entrance mats or carpet runners are used, ensure your team regularly checks for bunching or curling, which can be hazardous. Trim overgrown bushes or landscaping that obstruct visibility or create blind spots. Implement Staff Training Develop and maintain site and job-specific safety training for all staff. Train team members to: Identify and report potential hazards immediately Monitor for loitering and suspicious activity Understand site-specific emergency protocols Reinforce safety as part of daily operations—not just during incidents. Strengthen Communication with Building Security & Ownership Establish clear protocols with building security or management for incident reporting and hazard response. Coordinate with tenants to share seasonal or situational “Safety Tips” (e.g., winter driving, walking safely at night). Keep tenants and staff informed about any changes in traffic flow or parking closures to avoid confusion and reduce risk. Low-Cost Re-stripe and Re-mark the Facility Refreshing pavement markings is one of the most effective and affordable ways to improve safety, traffic flow and parking compliance. Offer or recommend low-cost restriping services for: Parking stalls Pedestrian crosswalks Stop bars and directional arrows Use high-visibility paint along pedestrian walkways, curbs, and any area where there’s a change in elevation to help reduce trip-and-fall incidents—especially in dimly lit or high-traffic zones. Update or Replace Signage Well-maintained signage is essential for safety and customer guidance: Audit all signage on-site and replace any faded, outdated, or damaged signs. Ensure signs reflect current information, such as: Contact numbers Hours of operation Instructions for getting assistance Add temporary “Caution: Slippery Surface” signs at entrances or near stairwells during rain, snow, or cleaning events. Post “This Area Is Under Surveillance” signs at key entry and exit points—even if cameras aren’t installed—as a visual deterrent to crime or misconduct. Improving safety in a parking facility doesn’t always require a large budget—just a proactive approach, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By implementing these low-cost and no-cost strategies, we can significantly enhance the safety, usability, and overall experience for every customer who uses the facility. As a parking professional, we’re not only tasked with managing day-to-day operations, but also to add value through smart, cost-effective solutions that prioritize both safety and service. Vincent Campagna, PTMP, is a Manager, Parking & Ground Transportation for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Vincent can be reached at vcampagna@mitchellairport.com.

Accepting payments, both digital and traditional, in ungated parking environments is commonplace in all parking markets. Traditional notions of payment acceptance become more complicated in new, ungated environments due to the still-evolving regulatory and legal environments. Most reputable ungated service firms will indeed indemnify and protect their operators and landlords from many (not all) of these challenges, but that doesn’t mean the landlord doesn’t have affirmative duties in the ecosystem to uphold. The webinar, article, and white paper, “Ungated Environments: Best Practices for Parking Payment Providers,” aim to unpack the still-developing, complex, and detailed expectations that form the foundation of the modern parking environment. Improper signage (content and style), misalignment between digital and traditional payment methods, lack of consistent policies and processes, misleading consumer journeys, and more are just some of the concerns that this webinar/article/whitepaper seeks to educate on. As authors, we are pleased to share our knowledge and experience with the parking, transportation, and mobility community, much of which was gained through extensive observation of trial and error while operating downstream of all parking operators, landlords, payment providers, and other relevant stakeholders conducting business in a parking facility. Click here to read the Parking & Mobility magazine article. Click here to read the white paper. Click here to purchase and watch the webinar. Michael J. Drow, PTMP, is the CEO of PRRS, Inc. He can be reached at mdrow@prrsparking.com. Todd Tucker, PTMP, is the COO for PRRS, Inc. He can be reached at ttucker@prrsparking.com.

Before the pandemic, Economy parking at MKE worked just as travelers expected: guests would pull into the large surface lot, park wherever they liked, and walk to the nearest bus shelter. The complimentary shuttle service, helpful drivers, and quick five-minute ride to the terminal were all appreciated. It was a familiar, efficient system — and as the saying goes, “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” The Pandemic Shift Then the pandemic hit, and demand for parking virtually disappeared. The once-busy lots became eerily empty. With so few travelers, guests had plenty of space to park and spread out. Yet shuttles still made their full rounds through the 1,700-space lots, stopping at every shelter — often for just a handful of passengers per hour. It was inefficient and unsustainable. With parking revenue diminishing and increasing competition from off-site providers, the MKE parking team recognized the need to reinvent the guest experience. That’s when MKE’s first “Trunk-to-Terminal Service” was introduced. Launching Trunk-to-Terminal Service To provide a more personalized, high-touch experience, an ambassador was stationed at the lot entrance to greet each arriving guest and offer a warm welcome. The ambassador directed guests to an available parking stall and communicated their location to the shuttle driver in real time. The shuttle then pulled up directly behind the parked vehicle, where the driver assisted with luggage and loaded it onto the shuttle. Guests received a wallet-sized card noting their parking lot and stall number — a thoughtful touch to help locate their car upon return. This service eliminated the need for guests to walk to a shelter and added a layer of convenience and hospitality — all while maintaining shuttle headways and enhancing safety by eliminating slip-and-fall risks during inclement weather A Lasting Success The service was a hit. Guests appreciated the elevated level of customer service and the ease of the experience. Four years later, MKE continues to receive glowing reviews from Economy Lot guests who use the complimentary Trunk-to-Terminal Service and value the friendly, personal interactions with both ambassadors and shuttle drivers Why it Works? Convenience Meets Care What makes Trunk-to-Terminal stand out is its simplicity and attention to detail, achieved with minimal investment. With added signage and locator cards, the experience is especially seamless for families, travelers with mobility challenges, or anyone juggling luggage and kids. There’s no guesswork, no waiting at remote shelters, and no long walks in unpredictable weather. Simply park, hop on, and go. It’s airport parking reimagined—affordable, effortless, and customer-focused. Even Economy parking feels like a first-class experience, transforming the traveler journey from beginning to end. Vincent Campagna, PTMP, is a Manager, Parking & Ground Transportation for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Vincent can be reached at vcampagna@mitchellairport.com.

As digital payments surge in ungated parking environments, ensuring clarity, consistency, and compliance has become more vital than ever. This white paper outlines key best practices for parking operators and payment providers to prevent consumer confusion and mitigate legal risk.

Parking has long been managed through fixed rules: pay before you stay, don’t exceed the time limit, and expect a citation if you do. But that model rarely reflects how people actually behave. The shift toward behavioral parking is about bridging that gap—creating systems that respond to real usage rather than rigid expectations. At the heart of behavioral parking is one simple idea: charge based on how people actually use the space. Instead of guessing how long they’ll stay or rushing back to feed a meter, drivers park and go about their business. The system tracks their actual behavior—start time, end time, duration—and charges accordingly. This shift solves a long-standing issue: underpayment and non-compliance that doesn’t always come from bad intent, but from confusion, unpredictability, or inflexible systems. Rather than focusing on enforcement and punishment, behavioral models recover revenue by adapting to the parker—not the other way around. In environments like universities, city centers, and hospitality, where stay durations vary widely, this approach offers fairness and financial sustainability. Operators gain more accurate data, fewer disputes, and ultimately, better compliance without increasing friction. Behavioral parking is not just about technology—it’s about trust. When people feel that parking is transparent and reasonable, they're more likely to engage honestly with it. And when systems are built around real-life behavior, everyone benefits….. We’re no longer just managing space. We are managing people…and adjusting to real behavior to reduce violations. Trystan Henry, PECP, is the Vice President of Business Development for ParkEngage. Trystan can be reached at trystan.henry@parkengage.com.

Ball Arena, in partnership with Flash, announced the launch of Denver’s single largest electric vehicle charging installation. The new public EV charging hub at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s home of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and Colorado Mammoth is up and running with 60 total charging ports now available to fans during games and events. “This EV charging hub and our partnership with Flash exemplifies our commitment to sustainability, enhancing the fan experience, and supporting our community,” said Matt Bell, Senior Vice President of Venue Operations at Ball Arena. “It represents the kinds of community amenities and infrastructure we envision for the area with our redevelopment plan and the sustainable mobility alternatives we need to support the parks, open space, and density the plan calls for.” Located in Ball Arena’s Camry South Lot, the new expansive charging hub represents a significant milestone for expanding Denver’s EV infrastructure. The installation comes as Colorado’s accelerating EV adoption broke records late last year, with 5,200 charging stations currently serving the state’s growing community of EV drivers. “As we re-imagine our existing surface parking lots to create a truly vibrant urban experience, initiatives like this charging hub show how we’re not only transforming individual lots, but also facilitating a connected downtown ecosystem that serves our fans and our broader Denver community,” Bell said. Starting this summer, the charging hub will serve both event attendees and the broader Denver community, with public access available during the 250 events Ball Arena typically hosts throughout the year. Over time, the hub will form part of Ball Arena’s broader development strategy to include enhanced community mobility, access to transit, a local shuttle system, and more and better pedestrian connections. Strategically located at Speer Boulevard and Auraria Parkway, with convenient access to Interstate 25 and nearby light rail service, the Arena is positioned at the intersection of several major connections through downtown Denver. “Denver is embracing the future of transportation, and Ball Arena is setting the standard for how entertainment venues can support that transition,” said Matt McCaffree, Vice President and General Manager at Flash. “Our partnership delivers a secure, reliable, and seamless charging experience that fans and community members will expect from one of Denver’s premier destinations.” The 60 Level 2 charging port hub is now operational and open for use to EV drivers. 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. About Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Denver-based Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is one of the world’s leading ownership, entertainment, and management groups. As owners and operators of Ball Arena, Paramount Theatre, DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), and Colorado Rapids (MLS), KSE’s sports and entertainment assets are second to none. Additional properties under the KSE umbrella include Altitude Sports & Entertainment, a 24-hour regional television network, and Altitude Authentics, the company’s official retail provider.

Shared parking is a key strategy in urban planning and development, offering innovative solutions to challenges like traffic congestion and inefficient land use. By maximizing the utilization of existing parking spaces, shared parking supports sustainability and improves the quality of urban life. Shared parking utilizes the same space for different parkers maximizing turnover and utilization of one space within 24 hours, minimizing unnecessary urban sprawl. Shared parking minimizes the need for expansive parking structures, freeing up valuable land that can be repurposed for green spaces, housing, or businesses. This promotes more sustainable, efficient land use. By maximizing turnover or utilization of existing parking spaces, shared parking reduces the need for new parking facilities, reducing the time drivers spend searching for parking. This will alleviate traffic, reduce emissions, improve air quality, providing a more sustainable and healthier environment. The parking consultant who specializes in calculating custom shared parking can reduce parking counts by 35% in some cases, encouraging Park Once and multimodal systems, resulting in fewer parking spaces, thus fostering creativity and flexibility for public spaces and urban design. Lia Reyes is a Managing Director and Sr. Principal Consultant for LVR International. Lia can be reached at lia@lvrintl.com.

How did Princeton evolve to meet the new demand for parking? With a multi-pronged approach, they integrated cutting-edge technology, incentivized alternative commutes, and rolled out transit programs, all while maintaining operations on a 275+ year-old campus amidst major construction. Join the Princeton University team as they showcase how data can drive smarter decisions, ease parking stress, reduce congestion, and ultimately improve the campus experience. 

When you are in the midst of a great revenue-generating event parking situation, how are you handling surge pricing? Is your operator getting the most bang for your buck? Are you setting and forgetting or letting the SHARK come out mid ingress? I have found myself in many different settings according to how the client wants the lot run, but it is quite fun making a run for the money. One tactic is the set it and forget it rule where it is easy to estimate and budget how much you will make in an event. Other tactics include Sharking the competition. In a particular lot at a particular time our owner wanted to make the most bang for his buck and gave us the direction “make money but don’t get me in the paper,” and we ran with it. We had fluctuating rates to be changed on the fly according to the estimated percentages of available parking on the lot. Rates were changed at forty percent, fifty percent and so on. It is quite easy to set rates and forget them but are you making the most bang for your buck? How much are you willing to do, to make the most out of an event? How much do your owners appreciate your efforts? Tate Misiaszek, PTMP, is a Project Manager for LAZ Parking. You can reach Tate at TMisiaszek@lazparking.com.

LONDON, UK – JustPark, the UK’s leading parking app, is to become the official parking partner of The O2 in London. The new multi-year partnership is the first of its kind between an event operator and parking company in the UK. The aim is to deliver an industry-leading parking experience for The O2’s 10 million-plus annual visitors, with new solutions designed to enhance both accessibility and flexibility in booking parking at one of the world’s most popular venues. New research* that polled thousands of drivers on their experiences when driving to ticketed events nationwide, revealed that up to 87% of fans can be deterred from driving to occasions such as football matches, theatre performances or gigs. JustPark’s partnership with The O2 aims to ensure visitors to the London destination are not impacted by such concerns, delivering a flagship approach to event parking solutions for the UK. It also represents a major evolution of JustPark’s popular consumer app, expanding its support to venues and landmark event destinations. The research lays bare just how stressful finding event parking can be for drivers, and underscores the need for reliable and smarter parking options:  84% said parking stress has negatively impacted an event experience previously. Over half (56%) have left events early due to parking issues. 48% reported spending over 30 minutes searching for a space at a ticketed event. Anthony Eskinazi, Founder and President of JustPark said: “Parking for events should be simple and stress-free. Too often though, it’s the most frustrating part of the journey. JustPark’s technology changes that, making parking effortless, so visitors can focus on having a good time when they arrive.” “Partnering with The O2, the world's most popular live entertainment, leisure, and retail destination, is the perfect way to launch the new phase of our business and help destinations across the UK to modernise and bring parking in line with increased visitor expectations.” The collaboration reflects The O2’s commitment to ensuring every visitor has the best possible experience from the moment they arrive at the venue. JustPark will be introducing a range of new easy-to-use parking solutions for all The O2’s visitors, including daily and event specific reservable options and on-arrival, cashless parking. The O2 will benefit from JustPark technology and insights, helping them to make best use of their parking spaces in real time. "Parking and transport are essential parts of the visitor experience at The O2, and we are always looking for ways to improve accessibility and convenience for all our guests.” Said Nathan Kosky, VP Europe, Global Partnerships at AEG. "In partnering with JustPark and making full use of their customer-first technology, we are able to understand so much more about our visitors and integrate a range of different parking solutions that will make it easier than ever for attendees to drive, park and enjoy their visit.” In addition to improving the visitor journey, the partnership will elevate JustPark’s brand presence at The O2, reinforcing its role as a key supporter of the UK events industry. In April 2024, JustPark merged with ParkHub, the leading North American provider of event parking technology, which has since rebranded under the JustPark name. Today, JustPark operates at over 450 locations across the US, servicing 70% of US professional sports teams at some of its most trafficked venues, parking more than 40 million cars each year. Now, JustPark is applying that experience to revolutionise the UK event parking sector, ensuring fans can focus on the moments that matter with a frustration-free parking experience. *JustPark surveyed 3,100 drivers in April 2025 Solutions being introduced from JustPark to The O2 include: JustPark Reservations: Pre-booking will be offered to all visitors to The O2, meaning for the first time non-event visitors coming to shop at Outlet Shopping at The O2 or dine at the venue’s entertainment district can also reserve parking. EventPass: Event attendees can pre-book parking in advance through EventPass, a dynamic reservation platform that ensures guaranteed parking, eliminating stress. JustPark On-demand: For those arriving without a reservation, flexible, on-the-day parking, can be booked via the JustPark app. Overflow parking solutions: Should full capacity be reached in The O2 on-site parking, a seamless solution will enable visitors to quickly find and book nearby spaces available on the JustPark app. For more information, please contact:  Sarah Jackson  M: +44(0) 7306 256 148  E: media@justpark.com About JustPark   JustPark is reshaping the parking industry with faster, smarter solutions for drivers and destinations. We make it easier for drivers to find, book and pay for parking, whether it's at a venue, on the street or on a private driveway. For operating partners, we empower them to deliver best-in-class parking management services. JustPark powers over $1Bn in booking volume for over 500 customers in the U.S., parking more than 40 million cars each year. In the UK, more than 14 million drivers use the JustPark app to reserve parking. Our platform equips operators with the tools to streamline operations, reduce costs, and unlock actionable insights. With decades of innovation, JustPark is redefining parking, one space at a time www.justpark.com About The O2 The O2 is the world’s most popular live entertainment, leisure, and retail destination. The world-famous, 20,000-capacity arena, operated by AEG Europe, hosts over 200 events each year, and has sold over 30 million tickets since opening in 2007. A multi-award-winning arena, The O2 has been recognised as Billboard’s ‘Venue of the Decade’ for the 2020’s and has been certified as ‘A Greener Arena’ by sustainability specialists A Greener Future. Welcoming over 10 million visitors each year, The O2 is also home to the 2,750-capacity live music club indigo at The O2, roofwalk attraction Up at The O2, up to 70% off RRP across 60+ brands in Outlet Shopping at The O2, as well as a range of leisure attractions, and over 30 bars and restaurants within the venue’s Entertainment District. A full day-out destination conveniently located just 15 minutes from central London, there’s plenty to enjoy under one iconic roof.  For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. 

Food and Parking? The connection is in the eye of the beholder in some sense, but is also an avenue for creating team comradery, a vehicle to discuss goals and connect with our teams or clients, and to both support and find new local restaurants. Plus, we might be able to see in live action how many metered parking spaces are available at some in demand time for lunch or dinner. Either way, it’s the food and business of parking that bring us together. We are fortunate in our locations that there is also a passion for cooking that has been present for some time, and shared and passed down through the years. Whether barbequing or finding some new combination and creation to make for our teams, the drive to bring food and cooking into the workplace allows for us to bring a little bit more of the self than may otherwise have been acknowledged. Whether fresh, authentic tacos, homemade crunch wraps, or Salisbury steak, our creativity is shared so that our staff coming back from performing their duties have a great meal and bonding with the group. Food is a path to share a great meal, discuss project needs, celebrate work milestones, connect with others, and find out who knows how to cook or knows the best spots to eat! Adam Feller, PTMP, is an Operations Manager for LAZ Parking. Adam can be reached at Afeller@lazparking.com.

Do you ever enter a lot and have absolutely no idea what to do? Have you ever entered a lot and witnessed fifteen different signs giving you 27 different pieces of information? Have you ever parked in Los Angeles before? All of the above for me… What is too much and what is too little information? I feel I have seen both. When you are designing the signage to your lot what are you thinking? Is it a minimum number of mobile signs you would like to reach or quiet directions for a seamless transition in and out of the parking lot? I often try to find a fine line between meeting the company minimums on signage while also trying to keep the beautiful features of the lot, the main attraction. I know sometimes we are stuck in a cracked asphalt lot squished between two high rise buildings with a twelve inch by eighteen inch mobile sign plastered on every space but what can we do to beautify the lot. How far do you space your signs to minimize both the cost and distraction of the lot? We have all had parking lots that we either love or hate. What is the discrepancy between the two? Location or distraction? Tate Misiaszek, PTMP is a Project Manager for LAZ Parking. You can reach Tate at TMisiaszek@lazparking.com.