Blogs

The Hoax of Dynamic Pricing By Sean Glavin and Morgan Hurley

By IPMI Blog posted 4 days ago
By Sean Glavin and Morgan Hurley: Ask most parking operators if they run dynamic pricing and they will say yes without hesitation. Their platform showed them a dashboard, they set higher rates for weekends and holidays, and somewhere in the sales pitch the words “dynamic pricing” appeared in bold. As far as they know, the box is checked and the job is done. Usually, it isn’t. What gets sold across this industry as “dynamic pricing” is rarely dynamic at all, and the gap between what operators think they bought and what they actually have is wider than almost anyone realizes. That gap has a cost, and it shows up even in lots that look perfectly healthy on ...

Smart Parking: How Artificial Intelligence and Data Are Changing Parking Operations By Elvis Reyes, PTMP

By IPMI Blog posted 12 days ago
By Elvis Reyes, PTMP: Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing industries around the world, and parking is no exception. For decades, parking operators primarily relied on historical experience and manual observation to make operational decisions. Today, advanced data systems and artificial intelligence are giving operators the ability to understand parking demand in real time and anticipate what may happen next. From Reactive to Predictive Operations Traditional parking management is often reactive. A manager sees a garage filling up and responds by moving employees, opening additional areas, changing traffic patterns, or communicating with customers. ...

From Dashboards to Direction: What Parking Taught Me About Turning Information into Action By Shakesha Holmes, PTMP

By IPMI Blog posted 18 days ago
By Shakesha Holmes, PTMP: Parking and mobility systems have never had more data at their fingertips: real-time dashboards, occupancy sensors, license plate recognition, payment platforms, and mobility feeds. Yet many organizations still face the same challenges: curb congestion, underutilized facilities, staffing misalignment, and unpredictable event-day operations. The issue is not access to data. It is how that data is used. In this feature, I explore the shift from collecting information to acting on it. Parking and curb management are no longer just about occupancy or enforcement metrics; they are about understanding movement, behavior, and demand patterns ...

September/October’s Ask the Experts – More Great Answers!

By IPMI Blog posted 19 days ago
The September/October Ask the Experts question generated so many strong responses that not all could be included in one place. Click here to view the responses featured in Parking & Mobility magazine , then continue reading for additional insights. As expectations for parking and mobility services continue to evolve, what operational practices or innovations do you believe will define the next generation of efficient parking programs? @Vanessa Solesbee , PTMP, CCTM, Principal, Dixon Resources Unlimited Organizations must invest in their people as much — or more — than their technology. By nurturing a culture of curiosity ...

The Future of Parking: How Technology Is Transforming the Driver Experience By Elvis Reyes, PTMP

By IPMI Blog posted 26 days ago
By Elvis Reyes, PTMP: Parking has traditionally been viewed as a necessary part of the transportation journey—something drivers had to deal with before reaching their actual destination. Today, that perception is changing rapidly. Technology is transforming parking from a basic real-estate function into an important component of the overall mobility experience. From Parking Space to Digital Experience Modern parking operations increasingly rely on technology to make the customer experience faster, easier, and more predictable. Mobile applications, digital payments, license plate recognition, reservation platforms, and real-time occupancy information ...

From Standalone Tools to System Modernization: How Parking RFPs Are Evolving By Colin Heffron, Jr.

By IPMI Blog posted 09-09-2026
By Colin Heffron, Jr.: The way parking agencies approach technology is evolving. Not long ago, RFPs typically solved one problem at a time: pay stations, permit software, citation management, enforcement equipment. Today, agencies are asking a broader question. Instead of “What product do we need?” parking leaders are increasingly asking, “How do we modernize our entire operation?” What were once standalone technology purchases are becoming larger modernization initiatives, considering customer experience, data visibility, compliance, and integration as one strategy. Consider a common starting point: three separate contracts for pay stations, permitting, ...

Improve Your Foxhole: A Special Forces Operator’s Take on Parking By Sean Glavin

By IPMI Blog posted 09-08-2026
By Sean Glavin: Before he built parking technology, Sean Glavin spent nine years in the Army, including six as a Green Beret with the 5 th Special Forces Group, the Army’s elite unconventional warfare unit. Green Berets deploy in small teams into ambiguous, high-stakes situations where decisions must be made with incomplete information. He came away with one conviction that outlasted the uniform: Nothing is ever finished; it is either being improved or neglected. That mindset now shapes how he sees parking, and his argument is a pointed one. What holds most lots back, he says, isn’t technology. It’s thinking. Parking is one of the most dynamic businesses ...

Beyond the Parking Space: How Small Changes Can Strengthen Communities By Khouloud “Kay” Al Mannai and Zoë Chatfield

By IPMI Blog posted 09-02-2026
By Khouloud “Kay” Al Mannai and Zoë Chatfield: Parking is often one of the first and last points of interaction people have with a city. At the Hartford Parking Authority (HPA), we shared a commitment to doing our part to make that impression positive, even as we worked toward larger strategic goals. Together, we focused on something we could accomplish quickly and affordably while creating the greatest possible value for the community. Like many other city entities, our organization sits at the intersection of access and turnover, revenue and affordability, development and interim use, and enforcement and customer service. When managed thoughtfully, parking ...

Learning from Past Mistakes: Applying Lessons from Parking Structure Deterioration to the Design of Innovative, Resilient, and Durable Facilities for the Future By John Nolan, PTMP, and Blake Clamp

By IPMI Blog posted 09-01-2026
By John Nolan, PTMP, and Blake Clamp: On October 13, IPMI’s Planning, Design, & Construction (PDC) Committee will host an interactive roundtable examining lessons learned from the deterioration of existing parking structures—not simply to understand what went wrong, but to consider how those lessons can improve the way parking facilities are designed, constructed, monitored, maintained, repaired, and adapted for the future. The discussion will explore the factors that contribute to premature deterioration and reduced service life, including original design and detailing, construction quality, materials and construction methods, exposure to environmental ...

When Parking Becomes Personal By Zach Pearce, PTMP

By IPMI Blog posted 08-24-2026
By Zach Pearce, PTMP: If you work in university parking and transportation, you quickly learn that parking is rarely just about parking. Our departments serve a remarkably diverse group of people—students, faculty, staff, medical professionals, visitors, contractors, administrators, and other university departments. Each group has different needs, expectations, and priorities. Trying to balance those needs can make parking operations one of the more challenging areas of a university to manage. And then there’s the money. Parking is often viewed as a simple question: Why does this cost so much? or Why can’t we just provide more parking? ...

My Year in the Rearview: Lessons in Collaboration, Technology, and the Politics of Parking By Meredith Garrett, PTMP

By IPMI Blog posted 08-19-2026
By Meredith Garrett, PTMP: I am relatively new to my role directing parking and transit services at Kent State University, and, as you can expect, I’ve had some challenges and lessons along the way. I’ve found it both cathartic and beneficial to reflect on the challenges and lessons learned since stepping into leadership in this industry. I’ve learned how much of a collaborator I truly am and how this has helped me to be a better leader. I’ve dealt with the strain of not being fully staffed and struggling to remain operational while also trying to manage burnout for myself and my staff. Finally, dealing with the politics of parking has challenged me and spurred ...

Pennsylvania House Bill 1862: What Private Parking Operators Need to Know About this New Legislation By Mark Vergenes

By IPMI Blog posted 08-17-2026
By Mark Vergenes: A major change is coming to private parking operations in Pennsylvania. On July 17, 2026, Pennsylvania enacted House Bill 1862, a wide-ranging transportation bill that establishes a new framework for how private parking operators can issue charges and contact vehicle owners. The new requirements take effect July 1, 2027, giving operators time to prepare. One of the most significant changes is a clear legal pathway for private parking operators to obtain limited PennDOT registration information, specifically a vehicle registrant’s name and mailing address, for the purpose of issuing invoices for unpaid parking charges or violations of posted ...

Construction Methods for Parking Structures By Jeremiah Vanderlaan

By IPMI Blog posted 08-11-2026
By Jeremiah Vanderlaan: A parking structure is not just a place to store cars. It is a long-term infrastructure asset exposed to water, chlorides, freeze-thaw cycles, vehicle loads, and daily traffic. The construction method chosen affects: capital cost; construction schedule; maintenance cost; repair downtime; user safety; lighting and sightlines; future expansion; long-term asset value. There are three main construction methods for parking structures: Cast-in-place Concrete UHPC Panel-and-Beam Precast Double-tee. Cast-in-place concrete is the traditional approach. It can handle complex shapes, ramps, transfers, and ...

Beyond the Citation: Redesigning Parking Enforcement for Trust and Compliance By Colin Heffron, Jr.

By IPMI Blog posted 08-10-2026
By Colin Heffron, Jr.: Parking enforcement has a perception problem, and according to Passport’s 2025 Parking Compliance Trends Report, 72% of compliance challenges stem from human factors rather than technology. That means the biggest obstacle between parking programs and their goals isn’t the tools — it’s the relationship between enforcement and the public. In the July/August issue of Parking & Mobility, I make the case that most enforcement programs operate with an incomplete escalation ladder. The data tells the story: 92% of agencies issue citations, but only 11% issue a warning first, and only 18% have any meaningful escalation path beyond that. ...

A Sustainable Shift in Event Parking Operations By Jamal Featherstone, M.S.

By IPMI Blog posted 08-05-2026
By Jamal Featherstone, M.S.: At North Carolina A&T State University (N.C. A&T), sustainability is more than a buzzword; it is woven into daily operations. As the nation’s largest historically Black college or university, N.C. A&T hosts a vibrant calendar of events, from legendary homecomings to major athletic matchups. Yet with each event comes the challenge of managing parking logistics efficiently and responsibly. Traditionally, the university relied on printed signs and bulky A-frame holders to notify the campus community about lot closures. This process was time-consuming, labor-intensive, and generated unnecessary paper waste. Recognizing ...

The Ripple Effect of One Unpaid Parking Citation By Olivia Savino

By IPMI Blog posted 07-29-2026
By Olivia Savino: An unpaid parking citation may seem like a small issue. One violation. One driver. One unpaid fee. But parking professionals know unresolved citations rarely exist in isolation. Often, they’re the first sign of a larger challenge that can affect an entire parking operation. When violations go unpaid, repeat offenses often follow. Drivers who face few consequences may keep ignoring regulations, occupying spaces meant for permit holders, visitors, patients, students, or employees. This pattern isn’t hypothetical. In New York City, for example, one analysis of city data found nearly 8 in 10 tickets for a common violation went to repeat offenders, ...

People Don’t Fail Systems – Systems Fail People By George Mclean, PTMP, MPA, DBA

By IPMI Blog posted 07-28-2026
By George Mclean, PTMP, MPA, DBA: Parking professionals operate at the intersection of policy, technology, and public expectations, yet one challenge continues to surface across the industry: when outcomes fall short, the blame often falls on frontline employees, even when the issue lies with the system itself. In my latest article, I explore a disconnect many of us see but rarely articulate. Across municipalities, campuses, and private operations, a consistent pattern is emerging: Employees are being asked to apply policies that no longer reflect how conditions actually unfold in practice, while technology and performance metrics continue to evolve at a ...

When an Employee Leaves Suddenly: What Leaders Can Learn from the Silence By Lisa Copeland, PTMP

By IPMI Blog posted 07-27-2026
By Lisa Copeland, PTMP: Every organization experiences turnover, but there’s a particular kind of departure that leaves leaders with more questions than answers — the sudden resignation. When a long‑tenured employee leaves abruptly, especially after weeks of uncharacteristic quiet, it’s natural to wonder what happened beneath the surface. In leadership, we pay attention to changes in “temperature.” A shift in energy, tone, or engagement often signals that something is out of balance. When this change follows a performance evaluation — even a fair, balanced, and well‑supported one — it can stir emotions an employee may not be prepared to name. Honest feedback, ...

Is Your Parking Garage Costing You More Than You Think? By Scott Israel

By IPMI Blog posted 07-16-2026
By Scott Israel: Many municipal parking garage owners and operators focus on repairs only after problems become visible, by which point the damage is often expensive to fix. A proactive parking garage maintenance plan that includes regular parking garage power washing and parking structure cleaning can help prevent deterioration, improve safety, and significantly reduce long-term maintenance costs. Every day, parking garages are exposed to oil, grease, tire residue, dirt, trash, and corrosive road salts that gradually weaken concrete surfaces and contribute to cracking, spalling, and corrosion of reinforcing steel. Left untreated, these contaminants can shorten ...

July/August’s Ask the Experts – More Great Answers!

By IPMI Blog posted 07-15-2026
The July/August Ask the Experts question generated so many strong responses that not all could be included in one place. Click here to view the responses featured in Parking & Mobility magazine , then continue reading for additional insights. In what ways can parking professionals move beyond operations to become active contributors to the social and economic vitality of the communities they serve? @Scott Petri , President, Mobility & Parking Advisors LLC First, ensure your facility is first-class in looks and professionalism. Second, ask the city council how you can help. Sometimes it’s simple things like making ...