IPMI & Member News
Rethinking Urban Mobility
If you are reading this, chances are, you are involved in the parking or transportation industry. What do you think about inter-city transportation in your city? Is it useful or unusable? What are some of the hardships of public transportation? In our city we have a wide and well-funded public transportation system, yet somehow, it is often late and unused. We are a beachside tourist destination and find that rental cars and beach cruisers often trump the amount of public transportation used. This is great for our local parking resources but at what cost? Why have such a well funded transportation system when beach cruisers and pedestrians are running rampant across the city during our peak season? We have found in our city specifically that people are choosing to stay away from public transportation due to the stories they have heard regardless of the amount of marketing our public transportation system is putting out. With the amount of marketing and advertising the city is using to push the public transportation system, why are we not moving that funding into bettering our sidewalks and bicycle lanes? The people have spoken, and we would like to focus on a more eco friendly focus on inter city transportation! Tate Misiaszek, CAPP is a Project Manager for LAZ Parking. You can reach Tate at TMisiaszek@lazparking.com.
The Changing Face of Transportation: Exploring the ever-evolving modes of transit and micro-mobility and the future of multi-modal transportation planning.
As with many mobility and transportation agencies, Wave Transit in Wilmington, North Carolina has a strong commitment to sustainability initiatives by working to grow ridership, reducing dependence on automobiles, limiting emissions, and minimizing our carbon footprint. Recently, Wave implemented a program that takes advantage of our use of Compress Natural Gas (CNG) for fueling buses by producing monthly revenue through a unique program. CNG has low amounts of nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide while being an average of 33% less than diesel. This particular program falls under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewal Fuels Standards (RFS) which links our dispensing of CNG with the production of renewable natural gas elsewhere in the United States. This program is centered on credits known as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) that verify that renewable fuel was used as a transportation fuel. Renewable fuel producers generate RINs by producing a gallon (or gallon equivalent) of renewable fuel such compressed natural gas. A commodities company has been engaged by Wave and they combine production and dispensing data to generate RINs which are sold to obligated parties and then Wave receives a monthly payment for a negotiated percentage of the RIN sale. No changes were required with any CNG fueling equipment and processes as this program allows Wave to continue fueling as we have in the past. The program does require documentation and reporting to ensure compliance with the EPA requirements, but the significant financial and sustainability benefits have come with minimal additional effort so this program has been extremely well received. Mark Hairr, CAPP, is an Executive Director for Wave Transit. Mark can be reached at mhairr@wavetransit.com.
As campuses grow, transportation needs evolve. The Campus Master Plan often outlines new roads, buildings, and infrastructure, with parking lots becoming prime construction sites for future development. This creates a domino effect, pushing parking to the periphery and necessitating changes in the campus transportation system. When parking shifts to the edges, it impacts both your budget and transportation logistics. Perimeter lots, often cheaper to park in, will reduce revenue from prime spaces, while new routes must be added to connect these distant lots to the core campus. So, how can transportation departments meet these challenges? 1. Assess and Adjust Transportation Routes To minimize additional costs, review and optimize current bus routes. Combining routes or reconfiguring schedules can open up buses to service new Park-N-Ride locations without drastically increasing expenses. 2. Engage with Administration Be transparent with campus administration about the impact of growth on your transportation budget. Loss of revenue from core parking and increased operational costs may require adjustments, such as a transit fee or funding for new buses. ________________________________________ Why This Is a Good Problem to Have Though these challenges can strain resources, they’re ultimately a sign of success. Growth means more students, faculty, and facilities—and a better campus overall. The transportation department’s role is crucial to ensuring that this growth remains accessible. ________________________________________ Benefits of an Updated Transportation Plan An adjusted transportation plan can: • Facilitate Growth: Free up space for new buildings and infrastructure. • Provide Economical Parking: Shift to more affordable, perimeter parking. • Reduce Traffic: Alleviate congestion in core areas. • Increase Efficiency: Offer quick and easy access to campus. ________________________________________ Is Your Department Ready for Growth? Having a comprehensive transportation plan is vital. It ensures that your campus remains accessible and efficient as it expands. If your department isn’t ready, now is the time to get involved in the conversation. Make sure your transportation plan aligns with the Campus Master Plan, preparing you for the future. Mike Harris, CAPP, is the Director of University Services with SP+ (SP Plus). Mike can be reached at gharris@spplus.com.
Melbourne, Australia – Frogparking, a global leader in smart parking solutions, is proud to announce the installation of advanced parking technology at Frankston Station in Melbourne, Australia. This installation includes two car counters, a DC gateway, a solar-powered gateway, and a K2 real-time availability sign, all part of Frogparking’s ongoing commitment to improving the commuter experience in Australia’s train stations. This new system will provide real-time parking availability information, offering critical convenience for daily commuters using Frankston Station. The technology is designed to streamline parking management, reduce congestion, and enhance overall efficiency for one of Melbourne’s busiest transport hubs. Frogparking’s partnership with Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) continues to grow, building on several successful installations around the city. Frogparking’s proven track record in the Australian market demonstrates their ability to consistently deliver innovative solutions for high-traffic areas. “Frogparking is thrilled to continue our work with MTM by bringing our cutting-edge technology to Frankston Train Station,” said Shareena Sandbrook, CEO at Frogparking. “This installation will provide significant value to commuters by ensuring they can easily find parking, improving the overall travel experience.” The Frankston Station multi-deck car park is opening on 16 December 2024, and was delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project, which seeks to modernize and improve public transport infrastructure across Melbourne.
Challenges, Opportunities, and New Evidence from UCSD
A Review of Harvard Transit’s Electric Bus Roll-Out
The Winnipeg Parking Authority’s Vehicles for Hire Office
Continued urban development requires the ongoing evolution of sustainable and efficient mobility options and services in our nation’s most populated areas. What is the future of transport for people and goods from one location to another? Scott Petri President Mobility & Parking Advisors, LLC “ Local package hubs seem to be the next logical, efficient
Mobility planning impacts on supportive housing programs.
As transportation, transit, and micro-mobility modes continue to evolve, what does the future of multi-modal transportation look like?