Planning

In a world where generative AI tools have become so prevalent, they now serve a multitude of purposes, from writing emails to setting reminders to creating presentations. Yet a concerning and growing trend has emerged among organizations both large and small. Instead of prioritizing employee development, many have become dangerously obsessed with leveraging AI as a replacement rather than a supplement for their human capital workforce. This is where it becomes alarming at the organizational level, and why we must raise awareness before it spirals out of control. Employee development and generative AI are two distinct tools that serve very different purposes in our daily operations. Too often, I meet with leaders who say, “I’ll just have AI do it,” or “We can let ChatGPT come up with something,” when discussing new ideas or projects. The first question that comes to my mind is simple: Do you have anyone on staff who can actually move this project forward? Using AI is valuable, but eventually you will hit a roadblock, and that is where projects stall. More importantly, where is your next generation of talent coming from? Over reliance on AI breeds stagnation in the workforce, erodes institutional knowledge, and risks leaving organizations without the human capacity to innovate, adapt, and lead. The solution is not to reject AI but to use it responsibly. Instead of relying solely on AI, I suggest you exploit it through a simple framework: Integrate: Use AI to streamline routine, low-value tasks such as scheduling, document drafting, or data summarization. Invest: Reinvest the time and cost savings from AI into employee development programs. Innovate: Encourage teams to co-create with AI rather than outsource entirely to it. Leaders who strike this balance will future-proof their organizations while empowering the workforce that drives lasting success. Dr. George J. Mclean, MPA, DBA, PTMP, is the Senior Operations and Data Insights Manager for Miami Parking Authority. George can be reached at gmclean@miamiparking.com.

What innovative funding mechanisms are emerging to support parking and mobility infrastructure in the face of declining traditional revenue streams?

A Holistic View Reveals the True Cost of Your Parking Operation

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.

Summer bicycle confiscations at our University, and many others, serve as an annual project with the intention of removing all abandoned bicycles from students previously living on campus. Like many annual tasks and projects, I found this summer’s bicycle collection to be a terrific opportunity to update processes which involved internal and cross departmental collaboration.  This involved: 1)Examining a current policy and making updates to enhance the process identify and label all bicycle racks and changes to infrastructure, plot on a map Detail a tagging, removal, and storage process with a noted timeline, and identify staffing and equipment requirements 2)Create mechanisms for notification to the student and faculty/staff bodies, and  University departments physical tag serving as a notice with a removal date, with a timeline in the range of 1-2 weeks e-communications (University announcements, social media, mass emailing) share with Police, Student Affairs, Housing & Residence Life, Recreation, Athletics, etc. for awareness and promotion 3)Implementation List communication method(s) for students so bicycles are not erroneously collected; this can include a departmental main email address and/or phone number or a direct contact store the bicycles in a secured location accessible by the department and in an organized manner record all bicycles removed and placed in storage (make/model/color/serial number) store bicycles for determined length of time then remove (University approved auctions, donations, etc.) Bicycle collections help keep our campuses cycling infrastructure organized and accessible for future use, promoting non-vehicle commuting which we hope to see grow Zach Pearce, PTMP, is an Associate Director of Operations for Old Dominion University. Zach can be reached at zpearce@odu.edu.

What role does leadership development play in creating resilient, future-ready teams in our industry?

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.

Parking has a reputation problem. Many motorists perceive parking as penalizing, confusing, and expensive. That perception has persisted for over a century, dating back to the earliest parking meters and tickets. And while parking management technology has advanced tremendously in that time, enforcement models have remained largely unchanged. Other industries have made notable strides in improving the customer experience. Airlines offer miles. Car insurance companies reward safe driving. Banks and credit card companies provide cashback and loyalty perks. The list goes on. Over time, these industries have helped influence positive consumer behavior by establishing trust and long-term customer relationships. Parking can draw inspiration from these industries. At IPMI 2025, leaders from Park Loyalty and RISETEK presented a packed session exploring customer loyalty programs for parking. How can the parking experience reward compliance? What if local businesses gained new ways to engage customers? Picture this: a driver pays to park and receives a coupon from a nearby café. Or they earn a small perk, like a discount on dry cleaning, just for consistently following parking rules. Even parking tickets could become less painful if timely payment leads to a future discount. These simple ideas can shift public perception of parking, promote compliance, and foster new community connections to local businesses. This model introduces a “value triangle” between agencies, drivers, and merchants. Everyone contributes, and everyone benefits. Cities and universities see better compliance. Motorists feel appreciated. Local businesses attract more visitors. This isn’t just a concept. Modern parking platforms can support these strategies. Programs can be agency-branded, tailored to local needs, and integrated into existing systems without disrupting enforcement or revenue. The future holds that parking can still be fair and well-managed while building trust instead of resentment. Full recap: https://parkloyalty.com/parking-rewards-changing-enforcement-for-better-compliance/ Julia Scholl is a Marketing Manager for Park Loyalty. Julia can be reached at julia.scholl@parkloyalty.com.

Celebrating PDC in Parking & Mobility

The Inevitable Professional Cycle

“Right-Sizing” Parking Infrastructure

How are planning, design, and construction professionals adapting practices to meet rising expectations around technology, smart infrastructure, and real-time data integration for parking and mobility?