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IPMI Blog Mobility Policy

Movers, Shakers, and Currents in Mobility Policy

With a mobility ecosystem rapidly evolving, what are the topline mobility issues to be aware of, who are the key decision makers framing mobility policy, and how can you and your organization help steer the mobility conversation. The transportation and mobility space is constantly evolving, impacting how people and goods move through and between our communities. That ecosystem is framed around a policy framework developed by decision makers at varying levels of government. Most mobility practitioners are in the business of implementing policies and programs that help manage the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. However, what may be a missed opportunity in the policy feedback loop is factoring in practitioner experience and feedback alongside community feedback. Before diving into the currents within the mobility space and how to navigate them, it is helpful to understand the general policy lever environment. This graphic below succinctly illustrates the varying levels of decision making and influence in policy making. Most federal policy levers handle very macro issues and set a high level direction for the mobility space, with a forthcoming policy and funding discussion in the 119th Congress that will translate into the next multiyear surface transportation reauthorization that the Presidential administration will be tasked to implement (and will likely implement with an economic development and waste reduction lens). State policy levers play similar roles and tackle similar issues to the federal levers, but at a more meso scale (at a state level). Those state policy levers will flesh out more detail to goals and implementation strategy of larger federal ideas within the state context (whether advancing economic development or climate change goals). Additional levers below state levers start to get into more micro scale of issue detail, touching upon how things are implemented or operated (such as curbside policy or parking meter rates) and its impact felt on a regular basis (such as sensitivity to cost of living).  An IPMI membership survey from Fall 2024, highlighted various policy issues that are on the horizon for the Policy and Legislative Cohort to explore and synthesize the topline impacts and how to influence it for IPMI members. They included issues related to enforcement of the mobility space, curbside management in a dynamic land use and economic environment, as well as accessible mobility. Some of those issues are inherently local, while others may feel local, but are regulated/authorized at a state, if not on a rare occasion at the federal level. As a member of IPMI, there’s things you can do now to influence the policy conversation on key issues that impact your operations and implementation. Spend time educating not only your stakeholders, but also your key decision makers at the local, state, and federal levels on who you are, what you do, and the mobility issues impacting your community. Also take the time to build a larger, diverse tent of stakeholders (such as Chambers of Commerce, Transit agencies, Health departments, community and environmental groups) that can be your coalition to educate, advocate, and for some of those stakeholders to lobby on particular issues of consensus. Benito Pérez, AICP, CTP, CAPP, is the Policy Director at Transportation For America. Benito can be reached at benito.perez@t4america.org.

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Community IPMI Blog Planning Policy

Policy Corner

If you work in a municipality, chances are you've received an email from a colleague in another city requesting information—anything from a simple meter rate survey to more complex issues like commercial loading zones or managing ADA parking in the on-street environment. Or perhaps you’ve been the one sending that email. You may have also participated in numerous IPMI municipal roundtables, whether in person at the annual conference or virtually.  One of the unique aspects of our profession is our willingness to share challenges and solutions. If Houston is facing a particular issue, cities like LA, Seattle, or Miami have probably already tackled it and can offer valuable insights. That’s how emails and conversations flow, allowing us to collaborate—because, after all, why reinvent the wheel?  While this informal system has worked well, it’s time to take it to the next level.  IPMI has formalized this collaboration by creating a space where we can exchange ideas, discuss policies, and share municipal codes—the backbone of any city. The newly established IPMI Policy & Legislative Cohort will offer strategic guidance and recommendations on policies and regulations impacting the parking and mobility profession.  The Cohort’s work began with a survey aimed at identifying the most pressing policy topics across cities. Among the top issues are policies around new technologies that could revolutionize parking management by reducing friction—think AI, LPR, and citation by mail. What policies or city codes are necessary to facilitate the adoption of these tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness?  However, cities are also grappling with policies that limit the use of these technologies, hindering progress. For instance, if state or city codes require parking citations to be placed on a windshield, a city can’t even begin to explore mailing citations until the code is updated—assuming there’s political will to make that change.  Other key policy concerns include curb management for critical building access and ADA parking. If you have a topic you'd like the Cohort to consider, we encourage you to share it with us.  In addition to this, IPMI has launched an updated member online community with a dedicated “Policy and Legislation” Community. The updated platform will enable seamless conversations and document exchanges where you can easily find relevant information on any hot topic you’re currently tackling.  The municipal sector of IPMI has always been a strong, tight knit, yet welcoming community. The work of the Policy & Legislative Cohort will help build on this foundation, driving meaningful change and fostering greater collaboration across the parking and mobility profession.  Maria Irshad, MPA, CAPP, is the Deputy Director for the City of Houston, Texas (ParkHouston).

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Accessibility Events Policy Transportation Equity

Building Blocks: Understanding the Impacts of Policy on Your Operations

The cohort’s develops best practices and research based on IPMI’s members’ needs and the most critical issues facing our community, including accessible parking and placard abuse; regulations that foster (or hamper) effective enforcement; transportation equity; curbside management, and more.

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Magazine Municipal/Cities Planning Policy

How Much Parking Do You Need?

An Individualized Approach to Parking Minimums

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Data Finance Parking Facilities Parking Lots Policy

Reducing the Risks: Best Practices to Avoid Parking Operation Fraud Presented by TEZ Technology