Technology

The International Parking and Mobility Institute (IPMI) Conference is always a chance to spot what’s next in parking and mobility (and maybe a little of what’s not working yet). This year was Peter Richards' 5th year attending (and 1st since he founded Parkicity), and it delivered everything from live drone feeds at NFL stadiums to lessons on permit data pitfalls. Here are a few key takeaways from IPMI in Louisville. I've been saying it wrong all this time! Permits, Pilots, and Parking Near Stadiums On a tour near the Louisville City FC soccer stadium, we heard about a Residential Permit Parking (RPP) program that was launched - and then quickly shut down - because residents said they weren’t notified. But they were. The area, once home to a car junkyard, now hosts 2,200 gravel lot spaces and has big redevelopment plans for retail and apartments. But enforcement and event planning challenges remain. People park for free far from the stadium, and attempts at event programming (like concerts) have literally torn up the turf. It should also be noted that Louisville is a multi-vendor paid parking app, meaning visitors have the choice of their favourite app. Pick an app, any app From LPR to Insight: The Dirty Work Behind Clean Data A major thread at the conference was data and how to collect occupancy, 24/7 or periodically. One presentation highlighted the benefits but also the complexity of turning license plate recognition (LPR) and camera data into useful information. The raw feeds - LPR scans, citations, permits, payment transactions, even drone images need serious cleanup: Enforcement schedules can skew what’s captured Sensor coverage is patchy, especially beyond pay stations License plates need fuzzy matching (is that a Z or a 2?) Metadata like vehicle type or duration is often missing Privacy measures must anonymize plates before analysis One theme emerged: “Data should inform decisions, not lead them.” Cities need “before and after” metrics - occupancy, permits issued, citation volume, and compliance - to prove that a permit or pay program solves an actual problem. Hayes Valley’s “Pay or Permit” program in San Francisco came up as a model, built on three pillars: Most parkers aren’t local Most non-residents are overstaying Occupancy is consistently high Toronto’s Parking Tech and EV Future The City of Toronto shared its evolving mobility landscape - and how parking is still part of the story. A few standout stats and ideas: One lot near Spadina added Purolator parcel lockers and increased revenue by 33%. Multi-functional lots add value 50% of EV charging users lived within 1km of the charger, 57% of users live within 5 km They’ve processed 50,000 new EV transactions Long-term goal: reduce from 3,100 to 2,000 meters - but keep them for the next decade One big idea or dream floated by the TPA VP of Operations: a future monthly bundle for parking, transit, and bike share access. Not here yet - but the bundling / Mobility as a Service joint offering conversation is getting louder. Digital Curb Challenges from Seattle to Boston Cities are still figuring out how to digitize the curb. A few shared challenges: Cameras are tricky to deploy due to mounting, power, and departmental silos Cyclomedia and Cartegraph are used in Boston, but 20% of signs were missing from digital records Trucks and passing vehicles can feed false data into sensors or AI Even with real-time availability, Minneapolis noted delivery drivers likely wouldn’t use this information - routes, schedule, and habits matter more Seattle’s commercial load zone data showed 80% of vehicles were parked illegally, underscoring that enforcement is essential - especially for small businesses that rely on load zones for survival. It was stressed that the management of these commercial loading zones is a key factor to the value of the permit and if they would actually buy the monthly permits Seattle released the CurbIQ digital curb inventory and real-time information of these load zones, and it's super cool: https://seattle.curbiq.io/public-default/ Brian Hamlin from Seattle DOT showing up their real-time public map link NFL Game Day Parking is a Logistics Masterclass Walter P Moore walked us through the logistics of managing 26,000 spaces on NFL game day at the Houston Texans' NRG Stadium: 21,000 spaces are used by fans, the rest for staff, media, and other “back of house” roles Rideshare lots, pedestrian plans, and cashless mobile passes are all part of the playbook “Eyes on approach and egress” with roaming vehicles is key Staff use active guidance to manage entry and exit flow Most fans are parked 15 minutes after kickoff, and the lots are cleared within 1 hour after the game Could Parkalytics and their drone parking surveys support live feed monitoring or drone mapping here in the future? Something for event management planners to consider. Ushering in the New Curbside Management Era: How to Transition from Parking to Curbside Management The Curb Super Group! This municipal workshop was led by experts from Minneapolis, Miami Parking Authority, Washington DC, Fairfax County, City of Richmond (and Parkicity), and centered around various burning questions and issues municipalities are having at the curbside, from policy and regulations, to simply digitizing and mapping their curbs. Despite various sized municipalities, the issues were similar - staffing, budgets, politics, prioritization, coordination, data ownership, and communication Cities want to digitize their curb, but need internal champions Solutions discussed included budgeting for curb-related digitization and studies, using software to aid the process, and starting small with pilots Final Thoughts There’s no single path to modern curbside management, but the ingredients include items such as strong data foundations, clear goals and objectives, city buy-in from top to bottom, smart tech applications, and responsive operations. Open Mobility Foundation bike ride Have questions on any of these takeaways or want to test out some of these strategies in your city? Let’s talk. Peter Richards, P.Eng., is the President and Principal Consultant for Parkicity. Peter can be reached at pete@parkicity.com. This blog is republished with permission from Parkicity: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/volume-8-what-we-learned-ipmi-2025-data-drones-game-day-drama-5jxjc/  

EasyPark, Flowbird, Parkopedia, RingGo, and ParkMobile reveal its new corporate parent company and brand “Arrive”, with the shared vision to make cities more livable.  A new era for urban mobility has arrived. EasyPark Group, the leading provider of digital parking and mobility solutions, unveiled a new name and identity to better align with the company’s vision to make cities more livable. Arrive, the new company name, will replace EasyPark Group and Flowbird Group, and will be the overarching parent company for the consumer brands EasyPark, Flowbird, ParkMobile, Parkopedia, RingGo, Yellowbrick, YourParkingSpace and other brands within the organization. “I’m very excited to be able to celebrate the reveal of our company’s new name and brand Arrive,” said Cameron Clayton, CEO of Arrive. “Our exponential growth over the past 12 months, especially with the integration of Flowbird and Parkopedia, has dramatically expanded our scope of business and product offerings. We need a corporate structure and identity that mirrors our entire portfolio – moving beyond just parking." Arrive is committed to empowering people and decision-makers to make better choices about urban mobility and ease the experience of travel. It's the company’s mission to do this in as many cities as possible, regardless of size, location, or mobility maturity. Arrive believes mobility is about more than function, it’s about simplifying the experience of travel for everyone who lives in a city in an effort to make cities even more enjoyable to live in. “Arrive’s vision of making cities more livable is an inherited testament to the work EasyPark Group, Flowbird Group, and Parkopedia achieved individually over the last 20 years,” said Clayton. “We are building the world's leading global mobility platform. We can't do it alone, we can only do it together with cities, with riders and with drivers. Arrive is tomorrow's mobility platform." Building on EasyPark Group's legacy, Arrive’s new visual identity draws inspiration from the dynamic energy of urban environments. The color palette and imagery were chosen to evoke optimism and clarity, featuring warm tones, blue skies, and light, airy compositions that convey a sense of possibility and forward momentum. The consumer brands and mobile apps, such as EasyPark, RingGo, ParkMobile, and Flowbird, will remain unaffected for the foreseeable future. Arrive will act as the predominant corporate body to the consumer brands.

In-Parking, a leading provider of AI-driven parking intelligence solutions, is proud to announce its latest partnership with the Fort Lee Parking Authority to modernize and optimize local parking operations using real-time data and cutting-edge analytics. This strategic collaboration is designed to elevate efficiency, enhance the parking experience, and empower Fort Lee with actionable insights to manage its parking assets more effectively. The Fort Lee Parking Authority will implement In-Parking SIGHT, a robust AI-powered analytics platform, to gain visibility into parking occupancy, turnover, and performance. By integrating SIGHT with existing mobile payment systems, enforcement platforms, revenue management tools, and other key technologies, the initiative will deliver a comprehensive view of Fort Lee’s parking ecosystem. Key Benefits of the In-Parking SIGHT platform for Fort Lee include: Real-Time Parking Insights: Optimize space utilization and improve availability for residents, businesses, and visitors. Faster Incident Detection: Proactively identify and resolve parking violations or system inefficiencies. Enhanced Revenue Forecasting: Use data to uncover new revenue opportunities and support future planning. Sustainable Operations: Reduce congestion and emissions by streamlining access to parking. Unmatched Reliability: Built on Microsoft’s trusted infrastructure, SIGHT ensures uptime and continuous access to critical data. “We’re excited to bring advanced parking analytics to Fort Lee,” said Hernani Goncalves, Executive Director of the Fort Lee Parking Authority. “This partnership with In-Parking reflects our commitment to innovation, data-driven decision-making, and delivering better service to the community. With real-time insights and predictive capabilities, we can more effectively manage demand, enhance enforcement, and plan for the future of mobility in Fort Lee.” Santiago Morales, CEO of In-Parking, added, “We’re honored to work alongside Hernani Goncalves and his forward-thinking team. Fort Lee understands the value of data in shaping smarter parking policy and improving day-to-day operations. Through this partnership, we are helping Fort Lee harness the full potential of its parking system while setting a benchmark for other cities across the region.” This initiative underscores Fort Lee’s commitment to embracing smart city technologies that support sustainable urban mobility, reduce friction for drivers, and lay the groundwork for future transportation improvements.

Barcelona — ParkHelp has been awarded the contract to upgrade the parking guidance system in the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 garages at Barcelona Airport, deploying a unified solution that combines next-generation ultrasonic sensors and camera-based technology across a total of 13,092 parking spaces. ParkHelp’s relationship with the airport began back in 2009, when the original U1 ultrasonic system was installed. Since then, the system has remained fully operational and effective for over 15 years, guiding millions of drivers to free parking spaces with speed and accuracy. The new project marks a significant technological leap forward with the deployment of Ultrasonic 2 (U2) and C2 camera-based units with License Plate Recognition (LPR). Of the 13,092 spaces, 8,362 will be monitored using U2 sensors and 4,730 with the C2 system. ParkHelp’s unique mix-and-match approach allows the most suitable technology to be applied in each area, offering a flexible, scalable solution within one seamless platform. ParkHelp’s solution is fully integrated with the airport’s Parking Access and Revenue Control System (PARCS), allowing users to locate their vehicle directly from the pay station. The system displays the car’s location (level and space number), shows a photo of the vehicle, and provides a map with the exact location of the parking space. This project is part of a complete overhaul of the parking system, which demands the highest technical and operational standards within the airport ecosystem. Alexis Puig, CEO of ParkHelp, stated: “We are extremely proud to have been selected for this iconic project. Successfully passing such a rigorous tender process proves that our technology meets the highest standards of quality, reliability, and innovation demanded in an airport setting. Our ability to combine ultrasonic and camera-based systems in one integrated platform gives us a competitive edge in delivering tailored solutions.” With this renewal, Barcelona Airport strengthens its commitment to innovation, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement of the user experience. ParkHelp is proud to support the airport’s journey toward smarter and more sustainable mobility. About ParkHelp Technologies ParkHelp is one of the world’s leading providers of smart parking solutions, offering a range of innovative products designed to optimize parking management, improve the user experience, promote sustainable urban mobility, and help parking owners generate more revenue. The company manufactures, sells, and services advanced parking guidance systems (PGS), digital guidance signage, license plate recognition (LPR) cameras, and integrated software solutions tailored for diverse environments, including commercial complexes, shopping malls, hospitals, corporate campuses, airports, and municipalities. ParkHelp can be found online at www.parkhelp.com.

Celebrating PDC in Parking & Mobility

The Role of Smart Technology

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?

How HD video of in and between parking spaces can prevent fraudulent claims and improve a guest’s experience

Over the last decade, parking technology has evolved at a faster rate than in any other period of history. The IPMI Technology Committee has been there every step of the way, helping the parking and mobility community navigate through the lightning-fast changes. This session took a retrospective look at the evolution of parking technology by revisiting our past Technology Committee presentations, exploring how various parking technologies were developed, identifying the catalysts that facilitated their adoption, and the barriers that hindered others.

How are the built environment experts shaping the future of parking and mobility?

If there’s one thing the UK parking sector has taught me, it’s this: the best technology doesn’t work in isolation. When systems speak to each other, from cashless platforms to ANPR to enforcement tools, the result is a smoother journey for the user and far less friction for the operator. But here in the US, I’ve noticed that this kind of integration isn’t always the norm. In fact, many parking operations are being held back by siloed systems that don’t share data, don’t connect, and don’t evolve. It’s time to change that. The Challenge of Disconnected Systems Over the last decade in the UK, I’ve witnessed a quiet revolution in how parking tech works behind the scenes. Operators moved from clunky, standalone tools to integrated platforms that unify enforcement, payments, permits, and reporting. And the benefits were immediate: reduced manual input, fewer disputes, better compliance rates, and, crucially, an improved user experience. Since working in the US, I’m hearing familiar stories of fragmented workflows. A motorist pays to park via one app, but that data doesn’t flow through to the enforcement team’s handheld device. A permit is issued in one back office, while citations are managed in another. Operators are stuck manually reconciling systems that should be working in concert. This isn’t just inconvenient, it’s operationally risky. Disconnected systems can lead to erroneous enforcement, a poor public perception, and significant resource drain. As enforcement becomes more complex and user expectations rise, it’s no longer enough to have ‘good enough’ systems. They have to work together and be able to be configured. The Power of an Integrated Approach Achieving seamless integration isn't merely about adding a new feature to existing software; it's about adopting a fundamental shift in how parking operations are conceived and managed. It means moving towards open, configurable systems that prioritize interoperability. This approach allows operators to connect various existing tools and data sources, rather than requiring a complete overhaul. The goal is to create a cohesive ecosystem where all components communicate effectively, optimizing efficiency and accuracy. Why This Matters for the US As US cities and private operators modernize, there’s a real opportunity to leapfrog the fragmented model and move straight to smart, connected systems. Integration-ready platforms don’t just manage enforcement — they enable better collaboration between data sources, departments, and vendors. From the curb to the control room, the value of a unified system is hard to ignore: fewer errors, better accountability, and systems that scale with your operation, not against it. And as we look ahead to the 2025 IPMI Conference & Expo in Louisville, I’m excited to be part of that conversation in person. I’ll be there with Unity5, ready to meet US operators, technology partners, and anyone interested in making their parking operations smarter, not harder. If your systems aren’t speaking to each other, or worse, if they’re speaking different languages, it might be time to rethink what your tech should do for you. Because in parking, as in life, the best results come when we work together. Hannah Fuller is the Director of Commercial Strategy and Partnerships for Unity5. Hannah can be reached at hannah.fuller@unity5.com.

San Diego, CA — EnSight Technologies has been selected to implement an advanced AI-based parking guidance and occupancy management system at Salt Lake City’s largest mixed-use development, which features upscale retail, residential, and office spaces. The cutting-edge system will use EnSight’s AI-powered cameras to monitor parking occupancy on each floor and guide tenants and patrons of tenant stores to the best available parking spaces via integrated LED signage. Installation is expected to be completed in the fall of 2025. “We are excited to be providing our industry-leading parking guidance technology to this world-class development,” said Chris Scheppmann, Managing Partner of EnSight Technologies. “This is an extraordinary property and we have designed an elevated parking experience that tenants and patrons of its stores and restaurants are going to love.” The EnSight Technologies parking guidance platform will feature 81 EnSight Vision cameras to monitor parking occupancy in the development’s East and West Garages, each of which offers four levels of underground parking spanning a full city block. The cameras will transmit occupancy data to five exterior and five entry-level signs, letting parkers know where parking is available throughout the garages, as well as 48 interior wayfinding signs informing drivers of how many parking spaces are available on each floor and zone. All of the signs are edge-to-edge LED Variable Message boards, which offer full sign content customizations and high-resolution displays. The system will also feature license plate recognition (LPR) technology to inventory vehicles and monitor how long they park. Cameras at entrances and exits will be capable of monitoring stay durations and identifying vehicles that exit and reenter garages in an effort to misuse the center’s two-hour grace period. “Once implemented, the new EnSight parking guidance solution will be a significant upgrade over the property’s current loop-based count system and old signage,” said Scheppmann. “The technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since the original parking guidance technology was installed, and tenants and guests are going to love this new equipment and the improved parking experience it will provide.” About EnSight Technologies EnSight Technologies is a parking technology company that has set out to simplify parking guidance with smart technology. EnSight’s smart, simple and scalable technology ecosystem provides a cost-effective parking guidance alternative to parking owners and operators of all sizes. The company can be found on the Internet at www.ensight-technologies.com.