Technology

I have always been drawn to technology. I remember getting excited about after-school computer club and writing code on an Apple IIe computer. One assignment was a Christmas image. I created Santa on his sleigh with his reindeer flying through the air, delivering presents. Fast-forward many years, and I am still involved in technology and love every minute of it. We all read parking and mobility technology blogs, magazines, social media posts, etc. We attend conferences and hear the latest sales pitch. We get excited at what we see and want it—we want it bad! It all looks great, sounds simple to implement, and solves all our problems… or so it seems. A client came to me and said they wanted to eliminate their gated solution and go gateless. He wanted a frictionless system. He saw the articles and awards from a parking conference and wanted that solution. How hard could it be?  (I know some of you are laughing at this statement.)  We met to document the new system's functional requirements/use cases.  We interviewed parking technology solution vendors. We found the vendor that best fits the use cases. The client was excited. Contracts were signed, and the implementation process began.  The implementation of the solution is going as expected; we did not anticipate the parker's lack of access to technology. Transitioning to a fixed lpr solution requires the parker to use their license plate as their permit or ticket. Did I mention this is a mixed-use garage with over 10 user groups and special events (concerts, roller derby, hockey, etc.)?  As we held meetings with each group introducing the new solution and how it worked, we realized not everyone had a smartphone, a computer, or a credit card to pay for parking. Luckily, none of these were showstoppers; we installed a laptop for staff to create an account to manage their vehicles, and cash payments could be made at the pay station or exchanged for a visa card. As parking and mobility professionals, we get so excited about the latest and greatest technology that we forget about the parker and whether they can actually use the technology installed. This implementation made me rethink my approach to my next technology project. Laura Lierz, PTMP, is the Vice President Education & Municipal Services for Reimagined Parking. Laura can be reached at llierz@reimaginedparking.com.

More than 10,000 parking space sensors will help Clemson faculty, staff and students find a parking spot on campus this Fall thanks to a project two years in the making coordinated by Parking and Transportation Services and parking solution provider eleven-x. The sensors will provide real-time parking data through the Tigers Commute app, allowing drivers to see available spaces at a glance. Installation of the sensors will begin on Thursday, March 13, with 3,000 spaces completed over Spring Break. The remaining sensors along with digital displays at the major lots will be installed during the summer in time for the start of the Fall 2025 semester. Once all the sensors are installed, the feature will be active in the Tigers Commute app. “At Clemson University, our ethos is about putting people first by offering top-tier resources across our campus,” said Dan Hofmann, director of Parking and Transportation Services. “This installation is leading the way to improving the parking experience for our staff, students and visitors.” Employee and student commuter lots as well as all accessible, EV charging and metered parking spaces across main campus will feature sensor technology. A sophisticated state of the art gateway network installed throughout campus will allow single space parking sensors installed in the middle of each parking space to wirelessly communicate vehicle occupancy through the network. The occupancy information will be displayed on the Tigers Commute app, via the web-based version or on more than 40 new digital displays outside of the major parking lots on campus. “As a Clemson employee, I’m looking forward to knowing ahead of time what spaces are available,” said Jeff Anthony, occupational safety manager in Occupational and Environmental Safety and Staff Senate president. “These sensors should also improve safety and congestion with fewer cars circling for an open spot.” Combined with real-time transit and ride-sharing features in Tigers Commute, the sensors will help those coming to campus plan their trips more efficiently. The technology will also provide Parking and Transportation Services with more accurate data such as lot occupancy rates and peak usage times to enhance future offerings. More information will be shared in Clemson News when available.

Indianapolis, IN – Parker Technology and Parking Base recently announced the launch of their API integration. This API allows users of Parker Technology’s software platform to lookup permit information, validate permit status, and push ticket rates in both gated and gateless environments. For gated environments, Parker Technology’s platform users can also open gates, if necessary. The main benefits of this API integration include: Visibility into a monthly/permit parker’s status Visibility into a ticket’s entry time and payment status Lost tickets can be pushed to the device (if damaged) A new ticket with a given rate can be selected "Parking Base is excited to collaborate with Parker Technology to seamlessly integrate our monthly parking data into their software platform. Exceptional customer service is paramount for successful parking operations, and this data integration will immediately enhance the customer experience by providing more efficient and streamlined service.” said Chris Perry, CAPP, SVP National Sales and Operations, Parking Base. “As cloud-based and ‘PARCS-lite’ systems continue to gain traction in the parking industry, integrations like this one are critical to ensuring seamless operations for our customers. By connecting our platform with Parking Base, we’re making it even easier for operators to manage permit validation, ticketing, and access control—ultimately enhancing the customer experience and expanding our ability to serve a growing market.” – James Paden, Chief Product Officer at Parker Technology. ABOUT PARKER TECHNOLOGY Parker Technology combines parking domain expertise, a custom-built software platform and a professional customer service team to ensure customer problems are resolved efficiently, according to tailored facility business rules. Whether clients choose the software, the support services, or both, Parker Technology creates a better customer experience, while collecting more revenue, keeping traffic moving, freeing up internal staff to focus on higher-priority on-site tasks and providing data and insights to run operations more effectively. Learn more at parkertechnology.com. ABOUT PARKING BASE Parking Base is the leading company offering cloud-based parking management solutions to handle all aspects of parking operations. Its comprehensive suite of products includes Permit Manager, Valet Manager, Destination Manager and Access Manager, and it delivers a seamless and customizable digital, cloud-based solution in a single platform. Parking Base’s tools are designed to optimize efficiencies for parking owners and operators, while enhancing the customer experience. For more information about Parking Base, please visit www.parkingbase.com. For PR inquiries email marketing@parkertechnology.com or call 800.923.2704.

With traditional parking with paper tickets, you tend to run into problems like blocked lanes, lost ticket fobs, and revenue leakage. AI-powered digital parking gets rid of all these issues, making parking faster and more profitable. In Get My Parking’s new AI Parking Playbook, we tell you how you can go digital and create the best possible parking experience in your parking locations. This playbook isn’t just a guide—it’s a roadmap to revolutionizing parking, with insights from operators and engineers who have finessed the switch to AI-powered experiences. Read to know more about: How going digital has changed the game by taking tickets out of the picture How AI-powered parking systems improve efficiency and accuracy. Learnings from operators who’ve successfully switched to digital parking Steps for a smooth transition to digital parking (as a printable list) The future of parking is here, and it’s digital, AI-driven, and built for growth. Don’t get left behind! Read the Playbook If you’ve been inspired to explore how AI-powered parking systems like ExpressLane can work wonders for your business, let’s chat! Schedule a call Psst! Wanna get featured in the next playbook? If you’d like to contribute, mail us at teammarketing@getmyparking.com!

Stockholm and Sunnyvale, CA - EasyPark Group, a leading provider of digital parking and mobility solutions, and Google Cloud announced a strategic collaboration to support its multicloud strategy and advance its AI journey. By leveraging Google Cloud's AI technology, EasyPark Group aims to accelerate global expansion through intelligent automation, enhance operational efficiency, and drive innovation that transforms the mobility experience for users worldwide. "Our partnership with Google Cloud marks a significant step toward realizing our vision of creating more livable cities through technology. Together, we are redefining urban mobility—making it more convenient, efficient, and sustainable for users worldwide while enhancing employee productivity. As a product-led technology company, we are committed to delivering secure, modern solutions that address today's mobility challenges and drive the future of urban innovation," said Sandesh Bhat, Chief Technology Officer at EasyPark Group. In the initial phase of this partnership, EasyPark Group is leveraging Google Cloud's AI capabilities to streamline employee onboarding and to integrate employees from recent acquisitions. To address this challenge, the solution – built on Google Cloud's Vertex AI platform – uses Agent Builder to create an intelligent agent that serves as a companion for every employee. This agent provides instant access to information, guides individuals through onboarding processes, and facilitates the seamless integration of acquired team members. Using Gemini's advanced natural language processing and understanding, the intelligent agent can comprehend and respond to complex queries, including in multiple languages. It also offers personalized support and accelerates the learning curve for new and existing employees. This AI-driven approach helps enhance efficiency and improve the employee experience during the onboarding and integration phases of the employee's journey. "As we continue our growth path, we need an efficient AI solution that is personalized, efficient and scalable within multiple use cases. Google Cloud's AI capabilities, particularly Gemini 2.0 and Vertex AI Agent Builder, allowed us to create a seamless and intuitive experience that has significantly reduced onboarding time and improved employee experience," said Bhat. "This strategic alliance with EasyPark Group highlights the critical role of AI in driving operational transformation and workforce productivity." said Eva Fors, Managing Director of Google Cloud Nordics. "By providing EasyPark with flexible AI solutions, we're empowering the company to transform operational processes, enhance workforce productivity, and ultimately, deliver a superior experience to users worldwide. This collaboration is not just about streamlining onboarding; it's about setting the stage for long-term, AI-driven advancements that will redefine how cities manage mobility." This successful implementation marks the beginning of EasyPark Group's AI journey with Google Cloud, as it continues to explore the potential of AI to unlock new opportunities, make data-driven decisions, and accelerate global reach. About Google Cloud Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner. About EasyPark Group EasyPark Group is a global mobility platform with a vision to make cities more livable. Present in over 6,000 cities across more than 80 countries, the company simplifies parking and mobility worldwide. In 2024, EasyPark Group was recognized as one of Europe's fastest-growing businesses by Financial Times and Statista. And in January 2025, it expanded its scope by acquiring Flowbird. Together, the group is uniquely equipped to support cities' distinct needs with proven mobility solutions, and to create a global leading mobility platform where technology, data, insights, payments and user-choice make urban life easier for everyone.

An Operator’s Roadmap for Capitalizing on Parking’s Digital Future Today

How do you see the future of parking in your city? If I would have asked this question fifteen or twenty years ago we would be speaking about flying cars and all sorts of other, out of this world, possibilities. What comes to mind when you think of this question now? How do you see the future of parking in your city? When I think of the future of parking in my city, a beautiful coastal town with a wild, tourist driven, peak season. I think of satellite parking lots. As cities seem to fill up more and parking seems to disappear, it begs the question of self driving cars and satellite lots. I am more of a gas and oil kind of person and not so much of an eco-electric / self driving fanatic. Though I am not inclined to this sort of thing, I certainly see the perks of driving your own personal vehicle to a destination and having the vehicle park in an economic parking space outside of the destination. With a call back feature, it would certainly bring better convenience than uber or any sort of rideshare app. How do you see the future in your city? Tate Misiaszek is a Project Manager for LAZ Parking. You can reach Tate at TMisiaszek@lazparking.com.

OAKLAND, CA - The Oakland City Council just approved the installation of 244 Flash Level 2 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and other improvements across eight downtown city parking facilities. The eight newly approved locations will add 244 Level 2 EV chargers to the existing 24 charging stations already installed at the Oakland City Center Garage (525 14th St.) and 32 charging stations at the Rotunda Garage (524 16th St.) for a total of 300. Level 2 chargers provide 240 volts of electricity, allowing nearly all-electric vehicles to charge from empty to full in four to eight hours. “Oakland is committed to building a greener, more sustainable future, and expanding our public EV charging infrastructure is a critical step in that journey. These new chargers will make it easier for Oaklanders—especially those who don’t have access to at-home charging—to choose clean transportation. By investing in this infrastructure now, we’re ensuring that all our communities can benefit from the transition to electric vehicles, reducing emissions and improving air quality for everyone," said Interim Oakland Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “The people of Oakland lead the nation in the transition to electric vehicles, and this gives them convenient, affordable access to the infrastructure they need to sustain the shift and make it a practical choice for more of our residents, especially those who can’t realistically charge at home,” said Josh Rowan, OakDOT Director. This new partnership with Flash will help implement Oakland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan and 2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan, which together provide a roadmap to a zero-emission transportation system in Oakland. The chargers will be installed at no cost to the City and the City will receive half of net revenues from charging. The new EV charging sites will be operational by the end of 2025 – some with on-site battery systems, lighting, and other property improvements – at the following addresses: Oakland Museum of California - 1000 Oak St. Marriott Convention Center - 1001 Broadway St. Pacific Renaissance Plaza - 1002 Webster St. Harrison Garage - 1200 Harrison St. Franklin Plaza Garage - 1735 Franklin St. Telegraph Plaza Garage - 2100 Telegraph Ave. 1800 San Pablo Lot - 1800 San Pablo Ave. Parkway Lot - 360-398 E. 19th St. The new locations join the initial two that went live late last year as part of a growing EV charging ‘Innovation Lab’ Flash is building with a $5.8 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to demonstrate a reliable, scalable model for public charging infrastructure. “The City of Oakland and its residents have embraced electric vehicles and clean transportation,” said Hannon Rasool, director of the CEC’s Fuels and Transportation Division. “The city’s leadership in supporting and installing effective public charging infrastructure helps improve our communities. Oakland is setting an example for how cities can lead across California and the country.” Data from Flash and CEC’s collaboration will provide technical and financial insights to improve efficiency, dependability, and return on investment to the City of Oakland. Flash will also promote the availability of the new EV charging stations through a multi-channel community outreach initiative, including direct outreach to area businesses. “This collaboration with CEC and the City of Oakland is a huge source of pride for us at Flash,” said Matt McCaffree, Vice President & General Manager of EV Charging at Flash. “We’re showing what’s possible for the future of parking plus charging and playing a part in helping Oakland and other smart cities make the EV transition a reality.” About the Oakland Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP) The ECAP establishes actions the City and its partners will take by 2030 to equitably reduce Oakland’s climate emissions and adapt to a changing climate. Part of the ECAP is the Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan, which provides a roadmap for transitioning to a zero-emission transportation system. Learn more here: https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/sustainable-oakland-1 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. Visit www.flashparking.com to learn more.

Within the evolution of the parking meter and metered parking space, I find it settling that the soul of the metered space remains intact – ease congestion, allow parking egress and support customers to find a space to park. The concept supports both locals making visits to their favorite restaurants or businesses as well as folks coming in from out of town to seek the spoils of a new and wonderous treasure. Regardless of the technology that the meter has or will have, the initial goal still holds sway. As time goes on, many of the factors will continue to change; more shared spaces, bike lanes, parklets and ongoing review of what makes the most sense as usage for curbside commerce. Though we can still find some common ground in the history of the parking meter. It’s recorded that on the opening day of the first parking meter in Oklahoma City in 1935, a man paid his nickel and tied up his horse at the meter pole. Another group paid the fee and set up a table and chairs to hold a card game for their paid hour. Innovation, it seems, has always had a dynamic life at the curbside and will continue to keep mobility on the path forward. Adam Feller, PTMP, is an Operations Manager for LAZ Parking. Adam can be reached at Afeller@lazparking.com.

Woodbridge, VA — Portier USA today announced that it has completed installation of a state-of-the-art smart parking technology suite at the new Neabsco Mills Potomac Commuter Garage in Woodbridge Virginia, marking a significant milestone in regional transit infrastructure. Portier’s smart parking technology provides real-time information to OmniRide commuters about how many parking spaces are available in the garage, and where they can be found. Supported by a $5.2 million investment from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), this groundbreaking facility offers over 1,400 parking spaces for commuters. “The Neabsco Mills Potomic Commuter Garage is a perfect example of how innovative technology and smart infrastructure can come together to improve the daily commute,” said Steve Gorski, Vice President of Portier USA. “This technology will make parking simple and convenient for commuters, dramatically improving the commuting experience and reducing congestion on nearby roads.” The Neabsco Mills Potomac Commuter Garage smart parking technology suite includes: 1,200 Portier Sonic Parking Guidance Sensors, which monitor space availability in real time. 40 Digital Displays, which inform drivers of how many spaces are available and their exact location. Rooftop Ultrasonic Counters and Outdoor Camera System, providing precise rooftop and outdoor parking availability information. Unified Cloud-Based Software to control the entire system, ensuring seamless integration and user experience. “The Neabsco Mills Potomic Commuter Garage represents an important step in improving transportation infrastructure and reducing congestion in Prince William County,” said Gorski. “The strategic location of the garage and the smart parking amenities it offers will ease traffic flow along I-95 and provide a convenient and reliable parking option for park-and-ride commuters.” About Portier USA Portier USA is the US branch of Portier, one of the world’s leading and most innovative providers of parking guidance technology. Portier has provided parking guidance solutions for more than 20 years, and currently covers nearly 400,000 parking spaces globally. In addition to the company’s industry-leading camera-based, sonic, and counter guidance systems, Portier also offers Portier Wayfinding, a groundbreaking web-based platform showing parkers real-time occupancy information to help direct them to parking facilities with available parking. Portier can be found online at http://portier.host.

Miami, FL - Survision, a global leader in Vehicle Identification technology, has successfully integrated its advanced Cloud Parking Enforcement Software, PlatEnforce, with ParkMobile, a leading mobile parking payment platform. This strategic software integration enables parking operators to seamlessly enforce paid parking policies at sites using ParkMobile, improving efficiency and compliance. With this integration, parking operators leveraging ParkMobile’s system can now automatically validate payments and enforce parking violations in real time using Survision’s PlatEnforce. This reduces the reliance on manual enforcement and enhances accuracy, ensuring a streamlined parking experience for both operators and customers. Key Benefits of the Integration: New Flexibility for Operators: Survision Solution can be easily moved from one vehicle to another Automated Parking Enforcement: PlatEnforce seamlessly cross-references Parkmobile transactions, identifying violations instantly. Enhanced Accuracy and Efficiency: Eliminates human errors associated with manual enforcement methods. Cloud-Based Solution: Offers remote access and real-time enforcement data, improving operational flexibility. Seamless User Experience: Ensures a frictionless process for customers, with fewer disputes and increased compliance. “I have always admired ParkMobile’s mission to make cities more livable, and I am thrilled that Survision’s vehicle identification technology can play a key role in enhancing this vision. By integrating our advanced solutions, we can provide a seamless parking experience for users while helping operators improve efficiency and compliance. This partnership is another step toward creating smarter, more enjoyable urban environments for everyone.” Laura Caillot, Managing Director at Survision LLC The integration is now live and available to parking operators utilizing ParkMobile’s payment system, allowing them to enhance enforcement strategies and maximize revenue while ensuring fair parking compliance. For more information on how this integration can benefit your parking operation, visit survisiongroup.com/platenforce and https://parkmobile.io/.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, renowned for its pristine beaches and vibrant cultural scene, has partnered with Park Loyalty to introduce a progressive parking enforcement system, including Enforce Pro and Process Pro, designed to improve the visitor experience and promote equitable access to the island’s attractions. Addressing Parking Challenges As a popular island destination with limited parking space, Hilton Head faces unique challenges in accommodating residents and the influx of visitors to its beaches, landmarks, and other attractions. To address these challenges and enhance customer service, the Town has implemented a progressive rate engine developed by Park Loyalty. This system is designed to encourage positive parking behaviors and ensure a fair and transparent parking environment for all. Progressive Rate Structure for Parking Violations The newly implemented system introduces a tiered fine structure for parking violations within a one-year period: First Offense: A $50 fine Second Offense: A $100 fine Third Offense: A $250 fine Fourth Offense: A $500 fine This escalating fine structure aims to promote greater compliance with parking regulations and foster a fair parking environment for all. Collaboration with Oobeo The successful implementation of this system included a collaborative effort with technology integration partner, Oobeo. Their expertise played a pivotal role in tailoring the system to meet the unique needs of Hilton Head Island, ensuring a seamless and effective solution to the island’s parking challenges. Hilton Head’s Commitment to Visitor Experience and Fair Parking This initiative underscores Hilton Head Island’s commitment to enhancing the visitor experience while maintaining equitable access to its renowned attractions. By implementing a progressive parking enforcement system, the Town aims to promote positive parking behaviors, improve customer service, and uphold the island’s reputation as a premier destination for residents and visitors alike.