Sustainability

Parking, transportation and mobility is an exciting profession that touches nearly everyone’s lives daily. This course is a foundation level course that will introduce topics such as customer service, communication, planning, parking regulations, enforcement and compliance, maintenance, sustainability and technology. This course is a perfect way to acquaint newly-hired parking and mobility professionals to the industry. Once all the modules are completed the end of course assessment appears. Those who score 70 percent or better on the assessment receive completion certificates.

When we talk about equity in our industry, the conversation often stops at financial support. But “Equity Beyond Capital” challenges us to go further. It reminds me that true inclusion is about access, mentorship, and shared knowledge, things that can’t always be measured in dollars. I’ve seen firsthand how transformational it can be when someone takes the time to guide a small or diverse supplier through the process, explaining how funding works, what lenders look for, or simply helping them navigate contracts and certifications. That kind of support doesn’t just help one company succeed; it strengthens our entire industry. As leaders, we have a responsibility to make space for others to learn and grow. Sharing what we know, our templates, lessons learned, and even our mistakes, create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond one project or partnership. Equity also means creating a sense of belonging. When smaller firms are included in conversations, planning, and innovation, we gain new perspectives that push us all forward. Inclusion is not a charitable act; it’s a strategy for sustainability and innovation. I believe our industry’s future depends on how well we nurture relationships, mentor emerging businesses, and build systems that value knowledge as much as capital. Because when more voices are heard and more people are empowered, we all rise together. Susan Cole is the Founder and CEO of Cole Ticket Solutions (CTS). Susan can be reached at susan@coletickets.com.

Parksmart Advisors lead clients through the GBCI certification process for high-performing, sustainable parking structure design and construction.  Offered by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Institute (GBCI) alongside the suite of LEED rating systems, Parksmart is the only rating system dedicated to improving the quality and performance of parking structures.  As a unique building type, these structures offer unique opportunities to drive greater sustainability practices and outcomes at the intersection of parking, transportation, and mobility.  

Parksmart Advisors lead clients through the GBCI certification process for high-performing, sustainable parking structure design and construction.  Offered by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Institute (GBCI) alongside the suite of LEED rating systems, Parksmart is the only rating system dedicated to improving the quality and performance of parking structures.  As a unique building type, these structures offer unique opportunities to drive greater sustainability practices and outcomes at the intersection of parking, transportation, and mobility.  

Parksmart Advisors lead clients through the GBCI certification process for high-performing, sustainable parking structure design and construction.  Offered by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Institute (GBCI) alongside the suite of LEED rating systems, Parksmart is the only rating system dedicated to improving the quality and performance of parking structures.  As a unique building type, these structures offer unique opportunities to drive greater sustainability practices and outcomes at the intersection of parking, transportation, and mobility.  

Wayfinding done well helps reduce emissions, enhances efficiency, and improves the user experience.

500 EV Chargers and Counting! Drivers across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area now have 500 reasons to feel confident about going electric. In less than three years, we’ve grown from 8 chargers in January 2023 to Canada’s largest municipally owned EV charging network. And this week, with our partners in this initiative Toronto Hydro and City of Toronto (Environment, Climate & Forestry) we celebrated a proud milestone with the inauguration of our 500th charger at 9 Willingdon Blvd - Green P Carpark 504. Every new charger isn’t just hardware, it’s a promise to provide choice, ease, and speed to EV drivers: Choice to charge where and when it works best for your journey without range anxiety. Ease for city residents who don't have access to home charging but still want to drive electric. Speed and momentum toward a cleaner, connected Toronto where sustainable mobility options are transforming how people move. “As an avid and appreciative user of the Green P EV charging network, I can honestly not overstate the importance of this infrastructure. Without the prevalence of the Green P charging network, owning an EV in Toronto would be a very challenging prospect for people like me who can’t charge at home. As a consumer who is personally committed to lowering their carbon footprint, but also trying to balance expenses, I greatly appreciate the Green P network, and their commitment to EV charging accessibility and affordability. Thank you, Green P!” - Jeff McConnell, Green P EV Customer. This milestone reflects how far we’ve come and how much further we’ll go together. "Our mission is clear: to create a seamless mobility experience that delivers on Choice, Ease, and Speed for our customers. Purposeful expansion of our EV network is a catalyst for EV adoption across Toronto by creating accessible, reliable, and trusted charging solutions for city residents. This milestone also reflects our passion to advance the City’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy by building a more sustainable and integrated mobility eco-system to keep Toronto moving." - Scott Collier, President, Toronto Parking Authority. The expansion of our network has been possible through partners who have worked with us every step of the way. “Reaching 500 energized EV charging stations is a testament to what strong partnerships can achieve. Toronto Hydro is proud to have helped build the foundation for this growing network and to support the city’s broader electrification efforts.” - Jana Mosley, President & CEO, Toronto Hydro This milestone drives us to keep delivering EV charging services that accelerate adoption.  Together, we’re building a future of sustainable mobility: powered by Choice. Ease. Speed.

How Technology is Transforming Large-Scale Campus Mobility

Facilitating a Wider Spectrum of Parking Needs

San Diego, CA – IPS Group Inc. announced the launch of the MSX™ Multi-Space Parking Kiosk, a next-generation solution designed to modernize parking with contactless payments, rapid deployment, and a customizable, user-friendly interface. MSX combines IPS’s 25 years of experience in smart parking with the latest advances in digital payments, modular design, sustainable power, and future-ready integrations. MSX is built to deliver digital convenience through multiple payment options, including tap-to-pay, TEXT-TO-PAY™, the PARK SMARTER™ app, and third-party integrations. With a vibrant touchscreen that supports multiple languages and custom branding, the kiosk enhances accessibility while reinforcing a seamless user experience. “From the beginning, our mission has been to simplify parking for cities, operators, and end users alike,” said Chad Randall, CEO of IPS. “MSX makes parking simple with streamlined contactless payment, a user-friendly interface, and virtually maintenance free. Backed by fast deployment and hands-on support, it elevates the experience for both parkers and operators. This is a solution designed for today and tomorrow.” Private Operator: Tripling Kiosk Transactions in Just 3 Months A West Coast private operator recently switched to MSX after struggling with connectivity issues and low adoption with their prior system. Within three months of deployment, kiosk transactions tripled. The operator reported fewer complaints, zero downtime, and a dramatically improved customer experience. “It was quite honestly the simplest install and deployment we’ve ever had,” the client shared. “IPS did it all for us, and it was a wonderful experience. If we call IPS, somebody picks up the phone immediately. The support aspect alone is reason enough for anybody to move over.” With a ready-to-mount, ADA-compliant design and flexible placement options, including pole, pedestal, or wall mount, MSX makes it easy for municipalities and private operators to modernize their parking. Learn more about MSX on the IPS website. About IPS Group, Inc. IPS Group Inc. is headquartered in San Diego, CA, with offices in Canada and Europe. Since 2000, IPS has led the way, launching the world’s first smart parking meter in 2005 and growing into a fully integrated smart parking ecosystem that unifies hardware, software, data, and services into a platform that puts clients first. Learn more at ipsgroupinc.com.

Los Angeles, CA – Arcadis, a global leader in design and consultancy for natural and built assets, announced that it will implement CurbIQ, a cutting-edge curbside management solution, for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT). Financing from the United States Department of Transportation's Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grant program will fund the project. Creation of a digital inventory of physical curb lane assets in Downtown Los Angeles, covering over 200 curb miles, will lay the groundwork for asset planning and management. Harnessing the power of data-driven insights will evolve curbside management for the city and empower LADOT to make informed planning and operational decisions. CurbIQ’s comprehensive suite of data collection, analysis, and visualization solutions will equip LADOT to dynamically manage the curb inventory in real time. The digital platform integrates surveyed curbside data, demand analysis, and third-party City software data sources. The goal of the project is to reduce congestion and optimize curb use in high-demand areas downtown, leading to better traffic management, more effective use of parking and loading zones, and ultimately a more accessible and efficient urban environment. LADOT has positioned itself as a leader in forward-thinking urban planning by anticipating future needs for large-scale events like the 2026 World Cup and the LA2028 Olympics and taking the initiative to manage curbside access. By integrating demand data, advanced analytics, and dynamic planning capabilities, Arcadis is helping LADOT achieve its goals for the SMART Grant project. The project is currently underway, with Phase 1 slated for completion in December 2025.. Tomas Carranza, the Assistant General Manager and Chief Technology Officer for the Office of Planning & Innovation for LADOT, said: “With its innovative CurbIQ product, Arcadis stands as the ideal partner for LADOT on this transformative journey toward smarter curbside management. Through CurbIQ's advanced analytics and dynamic management platform, we will enhance traffic flow, regulate curbside assets efficiently, and pave the way for a more accessible and organized urban environment. This project marks a significant step toward optimizing curbside management in dense urban areas like Downtown Los Angeles.” Jacob Malleau, Head of Product for CurbIQ at Arcadis, said: “The collaboration between CurbIQ and LADOT exemplifies a commitment to sustainable, resilient, and smart urban infrastructure development. We are excited to see how the data being generated for this project can be used to improve curbside operations in LA, and be a leading example for other cities throughout North America.” Some useful links about this project have been provided below: More info on LADOT’s Coding the Curb Initiative (link) The public facing CurbIQ map of downtown LA’s curb inventory (link) Request page to access the Curb Data Specification data feeds of LA’s curbs (link) Arcadis continues to expand its presence on the West Coast, securing contracts in Seattle, WA, West Hollywood, CA, Kirkland, WA, and numerous other cities across North America. As a trusted curb management solution, Arcadis consistently proves to be the top choice for cities seeking to optimize urban mobility and curbside efficiency. ABOUT ARCADIS Arcadis is the world’s leading company delivering data-driven sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 36,000 architects, data analysts, designers, engineers, project planners, water management and sustainability experts, all driven by our passion for improving quality of life. As part of our commitment to accelerating a planet positive future, we work with our clients to make sustainable project choices, combining digital and human innovation, and embracing future-focused skills across the environment, energy and water, buildings, transport, and infrastructure sectors. We operate in over 30 countries, and in 2023 reported €5.0 billion in gross revenues. www.arcadis.com

stock.adobe.com / sambath Destination and event parking presents a unique set of challenges, whether at an entertainment or sports venue, a higher education campus, a healthcare campus, or a combination of these facility types. However, there are some commonalities amongst the various event and destination parking environments, and at the forefront of many operations is the improvement of the guest experience. Whether intended or not, improving the guest experience can also have a positive environmental impact, as many of the recommended solutions provide experiences that reduce emissions and air pollution, and help restore damaged habitats. What are event venues doing to improve the guest experience? Entertainment and athletic venues, including collegiate sports venues, are taking significant steps to improve the fan experience in various ways, starting with the initial ticket purchase. In many instances, ticket sellers are offering the option to purchase parking at the same time a patron purchases their tickets. If the fan opts out of purchasing parking at the same time, most organizations provide additional options and reminders to prepay for parking in forms such as: “Know Before You Go” emails Push notifications Text notifications Social media posts Prepaid parking passes reduce the amount of time it takes to fill a lot by decreasing transaction times. Rather than accepting cash or processing a credit card, the pass is simply scanned, and the vehicle can enter. Vendors are also enhancing broadband networks to improve credit card transaction speeds if payment is accepted onsite. Pre-event communication and event venue websites are increasingly offering directions to parking locations through integrations with the most widely used GPS navigation systems, such as Google Maps and Waze. Fans can simply click on their destination link and be taken to the GPS navigation. Businesses can also collaborate with the GPS providers to create the desired route to each parking location and communicate any road closures associated with the event traffic. These initiatives aim to enhance the experience before the fan even leaves their house by preparing them for their journey to the destination, which helps alleviate traffic congestion, circling, and idling. By providing a more seamless way to reach one’s destination, businesses help reduce emissions and operate more sustainably. Venues aren’t solely relying on pre-event communications to help guests arrive at the destination through the path of least resistance. En route and on-site wayfinding advancements are helping traffic control as fans approach their destination. There are numerous wayfinding options, such as full variable matrix signs, static signage, and lane indicator signage, to help guide patrons to their designated lot as they approach the venue. Additionally, utilizing a city’s existing highway DMS signage can assist event goers before they reach their destination. Smart traffic management for events is a critical component in providing safe and sustainable event operations. Real-time traffic monitoring and signal management, combined with event-specific traffic management plans, should be implemented to mitigate congestion and enhance safety. Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, may also reduce single-occupancy vehicle use. As the adoption of this form of transportation increases, large venues are faced with the problem of long wait times for pickups, and the surge in usage can cause pedestrian and vehicular conflicts. Geofencing designated rideshare pickup and drop-off areas has certainly helped, and many venues are creating more welcoming and safer rideshare areas that include covered waiting areas with lighting and digital displays. While there is still more work to be done in this area, and the verdict on the impact of TNC companies on event operations remains to be seen, improvements are being made. How are non-event destination parking locations offering improvements? Destination parking is not solely for events. Healthcare campuses are also improving the way patients experience parking. Healthcare providers are beginning to include parking information during appointment confirmations. This is similar to the “know before you go” emails, which can include options such as prepaying for parking, GPS navigation, pricing, and more. This is beneficial for all types of healthcare campuses, from smaller suburban satellite campuses to large, urban medical centers. Smart garages that incorporate parking guidance and wayfinding are becoming increasingly common in healthcare facilities, retail environments, and airports, particularly with new construction. Easily locating ADA spaces and open visitor spaces is crucial to the patient/visitor experience and, in turn, provides more sustainable solutions that help reduce emissions. The inclusion of EV charging stations is also becoming more available in these destination parking markets. Whether attending a concert or an eye exam, catching a flight or a movie, organizations are continually working to enhance the visitor’s experience. Providing sustainable solutions that not only enhance the experience but also improve the environment are some of the best ways to invest in parking event management now and in the future. As technology and infrastructure continue to evolve, it will be exciting to see the new and innovative impacts on event and destination parking. ◆