Tag Archives: parking

As RV Popularity Surges, More Walmarts Ban Overnight Parking

August 3, 2020 Kim Fernandez Leave a comment

RVs parked in a Walmart parking lot It was a not-very-well kept secret among RV owners for a very long time: If they couldn’t find or couldn’t afford a campground while visiting a city, they could almost always camp in a Walmart parking lot overnight. But a lot of Walmarts are banning overnight RV parking–sometimes because of city ordinances–even as RVs skyrocket in popularity.

CNN Business reports that only 58 percent of Walmarts allow overnight RV parking now, down from 78 percent 10 years ago. That’s for a number of reasons, including municipal ordinances that ban camping in commercial parking lots, campers abusing Walmart’s traditional 24-hour rule and staying for long periods of time, an uptick in homeless people living in campers, and campers who don’t dispose of trash or grey water properly.

Users say parking at a Walmart overnight used to be a treat, both because they could easily stock up on necessities and because the experience was quieter than a lot of campgrounds. They expect an uptick in campers using casino lots, which are increasingly opening up to overnight RV stays, and private driveways, which are being rented out to RVers online.

Read the whole story here.

IPMI Blog, Resources

Valuable Lessons from Accreditation

July 30, 2020 Kim Fernandez Leave a comment

By David G. Onorato, CAPP

With its 2017 recognition as an IPMI Accredited Parking Organization (APO), the Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh became one of just a few initial municipal providers to achieve APO status. Awarded with distinction, the designation affirmed the effectiveness of the agency’s aggressive adoption of the most recent advances in both technological and operational equipment. We view our success in meeting Accreditation standards for the 2020-23 cycle, received with distinction, as strengthening our position as a leading international supplier of public parking services.

The Authority’s management team credits adherence to IPMI’s principal measurement criteria for much of its organization’s progress, both administratively and in the field. Our increased attention to mobility, for example, coincides with IPMI’s inclusion of that function in its name. With former curbside spaces being converted solely for bicycle use and new installations of EV charging stations, we’ve demonstrated our commitment to adapt to changing market needs. Concurrently, activities involving Authority patrons, once awash in cash, are now increasingly cashless and paperless.

No current description of parking operations, in Pittsburgh or virtually anywhere, can ignore the persistent threat of COVID-19. Among its negative effects, the pandemic has triggered revenue declines, assignment reconfigurations, and even reductions in staff. In each instance, we feel the actions required were accomplished with less difficulty because of our employee team’s greater awareness of data points targeted by the Accreditation process. Going through its sequenced steps–for most, their second time–enabled our people to become more familiar with their organization’s function, its sources of income, and, perhaps most importantly, its financial obligations. Their collective response to management’s necessary actions regarding the pandemic’s presence was, to some degree, shaped by their Accreditation experience.

David G. Onorato, CAPP, is executive director of the Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh.

IPMI Blog, Resources

Beach Towns Try Controlling Crowding with Parking

July 27, 2020 Kim Fernandez Leave a comment

parking lot at the beach Finding themselves too crowded for comfort during COVID-19 on weekends and, in some cases, too desolate for business during the week, beach towns through the U.S. are enacting–and sometimes removing–restrictions on parking to effect traffic one way or another. A few examples:

Parking in parts of Charleston, S.C., was restricted to cars with permits in an effort to reduce the number of people on the bach.
Rehoboth Beach, Del., began offering free street parking on Mondays to encourage visits to businesses.
Beaches in Newport, R.I., saw their parking restricted to season passholder vehicles.
Plum Island, outside of Boston, had its parking restricted to residents on weekends through Labor Day.

The parking restrictions have been met with cheers and complaints from residents of beach towns, with some saying they’re grateful to have something controlling social distancing, and others crying unfair. Is your town restricting parking as part of COVID-19 efforts? Let us know on Forum.

Free IPMI Members-Only Webinar: A Fireside Chat on Industry Inclusion

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August 20, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET

Join IPMI Chair-Elect Gary Means, CAPP and our distinguished panel of speakers for a candid and authentic conversation about inclusion in the parking, transportation, and mobility industry.

The panel will share their expertise and personal experiences as professionals and leaders in our community. They will tackle topics such as equity and systemic racism and how we can foster improvement in our industry. Feel free to share your questions and comments in advance with us – send us an email at fernandez@parking-mobility.org.

Panelists:

Kim E. Jackson, CAPP, Director, Transportation & Parking Services, Princeton University

Kim Jackson, CAPP, provides leadership, expertise and management for university transportation and parking operations, services, facilities, and programs. In 2008 she was hired as the first Director, Transportation & Parking Services for Princeton University. Kim previously worked at IPMI as the Executive Director. Prior to IPI, Kim was Director of Parking & Transportation at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she was responsible for the university’s parking and transportation programs, and management of daily operations of a multi-faceted program for five New Brunswick campuses and contracted bus services. Kim is a class of 2000 CAPP graduate.

Tiffany Smith, Director of Parking Authority of River City, Louisville Metro Government

Tiffany Smith, MBA, is Director of the Parking Authority of River City (PARC) in Louisville, Ky. She has worked for PARC for 24 years. She attributes her success as a leader to her exceptional staff, her focus on employee engagement, and her commitment to superior customer service. Her department was recently awarded IPMI’s APO designation. She is a member of various boards and organizations and she loves parking, people, and living with a purpose.

Richard B. Easley, CAPP, President, E-Squared Engineering

Richard B. Easley is the President of E-Squared Engineering. A 22-year-old small minority business transportation consulting firm conducting work in 34 US states and 22 countries worldwide. This includes work in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Commercial Vehicle Operations, Electronic Payment Systems, Transit Systems, Parking, Toll Systems, Traveler Info, Intermodal Freight and Training arenas. Mr. Easley is the past Co-Chair of the International Parking Mobility Institute’s “Intelligent Transportation Systems – Parking Task Force”, the past Chair of the IPMI Technology Committee, served on the IPMI Advisory Council and currently serves on the IPMI Mobility Task Force. Richard accepted the National Society of Professional Engineers Board appointed Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Advisory Committee position. Richard has over 32 years of experience in the

Keith Hutchings, Director, City of Detroit

Keith is a municipal leader focused on solving the challenges of Smart City parking, transportation and data management. His approach focuses on long-term solutions that create mutual benefits for all parties.

Using data and private market forces, his efforts ensure effective shared solutions serving all community segments. Through a series of progressive assignments within the City of Detroit, he understands the fundamentals of operations and the strategies of implementing change at a governmental level.

Moderator:

Gary Means, CAPP Executive Director, Lexington & Fayette County Parking Authority

Gary is a Certified Administrator of Public Parking (CAPP) with a BA in Broadcasting from Eastern Kentucky University. Gary is a member of the International Parking & Mobility Institute Board of Directors and Chair-Elect on their Executive Committee. Locally, Gary serves on several boards/committees including Lexington Area MPO Bike Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Town Branch Park Partners, and Downtown Lexington Partnership. In 2000, he received Downtown Lexington Corporation’s “Outstanding Individual” Award. Gary has worked in the parking industry for over 25 years in both the public and private sectors. Gary and his wife Melissa have two children and three grandchildren.

Free Online Shoptalk: Looking Back, Planning Ahead: Leaving 2020 in the Dust and Building a Better 2021, Moderated by Casey Jones, CAPP

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Looking Back, Planning Ahead: Leaving 2020 in the Dust and Building a Better 2021, Moderated by Casey Jones, CAPP

December 16, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET

To register, click here.

Free to all industry professionals. Registration coming soon.

Join IPMI for our next online Shoptalk addressing the parking, transportation, and mobility industry’s response and recovery planning. Open to all, join us for discussions centered on best practices, next steps, and the challenges ahead.

Shoptalk Summary

How can we hit the ground running to make 2021 a year of recovery and rebounding for parking and mobility? We have provided a deep dive into data and takeaways from the IPMI Industry Response & Recovery Benchmarking Survey; now it’s time to shift our mindset.

Let us know how decisions are being made, what you and your team need now, and how the industry is responding in every sector. Share your plans and hear what other organizations are doing to plan for the year ahead.

This conversation will be solutions-based. Bring your progressive, innovative, and inspired ideas and concepts to share with the IPMI community to create a more vibrant and adaptable transportation and mobility ecosystem.

Submit your questions and thoughts for the discussion on the registration page.

Casey Jones, CAPP, DESMAN

Casey Jones, CAPP, is a recognized transportation and parking industry leader with more than 24 years of industry experience overseeing parking and transportation programs in the Pacific Northwest and at the University of Colorado and Boise State University. He’s spent the past 10 years providing consulting and project management services to universities, cities, and hospitals, focusing on improving customer satisfaction, operational effectiveness, and financial performance. His public and private sector operational experience complement his strong project management skills and experience. He joined DESMAN in August 2019. He is a past chairman of the Board for the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI). He serves on the Accredited Parking Organization (APO) Board of Directors and is a Board Director for the California Public Parking Association and Pacific Intermountain Parking and Transportation Association.

Free Online Shoptalk: From Disruption to Adaptation: Legal and Policy Implications for Cities and Transit in the Wake of COVID-19

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From Disruption to Adaptation: Legal and Policy Implications for Cities and Transit in the Wake of COVID-19

Download the Shoptalk here.

Dive into relevant data and takeaways from the IPMI Industry Response & Recovery Benchmarking Survey. Discuss observations and recent trends, and examine how mobility system shifts are creating challenges to existing municipal legal and policy structures. Explore how decisions are being made, what’s needed now, and how cities are responding. This Shoptalk will focus primarily on municipalities and public agencies, and all are welcome to attend.

Our Moderator

Kathryn Hebert, Director Transportation, Mobility, and Parking, City of Norwalk, CT

Kathryn is a strategic visionary leader bringing together the best ideas and people from public and private sectors to innovate and transform communities. For over 30 years, she has been instrumental in the resurgence of Norwalk, Connecticut, with changes made possible by reimagining transportation, parking, mobility, and all supporting components. Equally adept at managing the business of government, enlisting resources, and partnering with private sector organizations to achieve goals. Kathryn is currently the Director of Transportation, Mobility, and Parking for the City of Norwalk, Conn. As a critical part of the City of Norwalk Economic Development Team, she directs the City’s Transportation, Mobility and Parking Department providing oversight, leadership and management to create and implement convenient and safe mobile connectivity between neighborhoods, business districts and major transportation hubs through coordinated planning, engineering, operations and community collaborations. She is an elected member of the IPMI Board of Directors and is the Immediate Past President of the New England Parking Council.

October 21: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Webinar (Free to Members Only)

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Webinar

Free to Members, Pre-registration required.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are three distinct ingredients that some feel are missing from the American Pie. They are equally imperative to changing the trajectory of today’s workplace. Systemic racism has not only found its place on our streets, social media, and politics, but in our business.

Failure to properly address DEI in the workforce will inevitably affect employee morale, efficiency, and productivity. How do we create an environment that is receptive to DEI? Verna Myers, vice president of inclusion strategy at Netflix, once said “Diversity is being asked to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.” Only through a comprehensive understanding of DEI and new ways of doing business and viewing employees, especially those within minority groups, will companies begin to create change.

This session is intended to show how open dialogue can be productive and break down barriers and myths to educate some on the why behind the movement; and t look at the root of the issues and learn to better and more openly listen to our fellow employees.

Tiffany Smith is the Director of the Parking Authority of River City in Louisville, Ky. She has worked for PARC for 25 years. She leads a diverse staff of 32 employees with a focus on employee engagement and a commitment to superior customer service. Her operations include 15 garages, three surface lots and 4,800 on-street spaces. Her department recently earned IPMI’s Accreditation Parking Organization with Distinction certification. She is a member of various boards and organizations and in her free time, enjoys playing tennis. She loves parking, people, and living with a purpose.

Mike Tudor, CAPP, is the Assistant Director of the Parking Authority of River City (PARC), Inc. in Louisville, Ky.,where he has worked since 1997 within key off-street and on-street operational, management, and leadership roles. He currently serves as President of the Midsouth Transportation and Parking Association (MSTPA) with a previous role of Secretary since 2015. He serves on the IPMI State and Regional Association Committee. He holds an undergraduate degree from Cincinnati Christian University (CCU). He spent the early part of his career in all aspects of parking with the private sector to include management of private lots, garages, and valet services. He earned his CAPP certification in 2019. Mike has a passion for God, family, outdoor activities, and supporting inclusion in the parking industry.

Submit your questions and thoughts for the discussion to Kim Fernandez at fernandez@parking-mobility.org.

IPMI Blog, Resources

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

July 22, 2020 Kim Fernandez Leave a comment

By Matt Penney, CAPP

I checked off an item on my to-do list this morning: After four years in my “new” office, I finally got around to a little decorating. The parking signs that had been stacked on the floor now make a border around my office. The wide assortment intrigues guests and starts conversations. Each sign has a story.

There is the compact-vehicle sign. Those went up after a debate with a student who argued his Toyota Highlander SUV was compact—he found some internet page to support his claim. The conversation wasn’t worth my time so we added the clarifying phrase, “must fit in space,” with a cute picture of a car inside the yellow lines. That idea was borrowed from the University of North Texas.

There is the dreaded patient-parking sign. That sign has been through too many revisions to count. The political demand was for free parking for patients only near the campus’s largest academic building and recreation center. Sure, no problem.

There is a cool sign from a chain restaurant that used to be on campus. When the restaurant closed, a professor remarked, “It was such a nice, quiet place to go.” Yep, a little too quiet maybe.

The Longview Transit bus stop sign reminds me of where I cut my teeth as a young manager. It was my job prior to Baylor in East Texas. It’s funny how short sideroads of life can have such an impact. I really enjoyed that place and the people.

The newest sign in the collection is for the Baylor University Shuttle. It was used back when I first started to work for Waco Transit, the public transit provider that operates the service for the city and Baylor. I don’t want to brag, but I started there as a parts clerk and was pretty dang good at it. It was my first job in parking and transportation.

The oddest sign on the wall says, “Monitored Colony. Please Do Not Feed the Cats.” It features a picture of a cat staring longingly at you from the left. Stare long enough and you can almost hear Sarah McLachlan singing in the background. The day I took that phone call, I was certain feeding cats wasn’t in my job description. Come to find out, my job entails some literal herding of cats.

Above where I face at my desk, I placed a “Timed Area – 20 Minute” sign. It has a nice icon of a clock on the right side. It seemed appropriate. After all, I don’t get to occupy this desk at Baylor indefinitely.

One thing in common for all these signs is that they served a purpose. Their goal was to provide clear and concise direction. Each was imperfect, as you can never put enough words on a sign. We may hope to aspire to a similar goal. In this very confusing intersection of life, may we all provide the best consistent guidance to those around us.

May health, peace, and flexibility be with you and your teams this fall.

Matt Penney, CAPP, is director of parking and transportation services at Baylor University.

IPMI Blog, Resources

IPMI’s Roadmap to Recovery Needs Your Help

July 21, 2020 Kim Fernandez Leave a comment

By Brett Wood, CAPP, PE

During the last few months, several of IPMI’s volunteer committee members have been working to assemble information about the industry’s response to COVID-19 and the overall path for recovery for parking and mobility organizations. Several pieces of information have been shared and can be found in IPMI’s Roadmap to Recovery publication. There is still much work left to accomplish and we need your help!

If you are in municipal, academic, airport, campus, or private parking operations, we would love to hear from you about the types of challenges you are facing, the impacts to your organization, and any unique opportunities you are leveraging to help serve the community around you. You can help in either (or both) of two ways:

IPMI currently has a survey open that is collecting information to benchmark and share information about the industry’s response to COVID-19. The survey will be open through July 29 and should take less than 10 minutes to complete. You can find the survey here.
In the next few weeks, IPMI and the volunteer committee members will begin to request information about specific case studies related to industry responses through the IPMI Forum. For example, if you’ve implemented curbside access changes to support businesses, we want to hear how, why, and the outcomes.

This information will be used to help our members better understand the opportunities and challenges they could face as we continue the path to recovery. Please feel free to reach out to me at brett@woodsolutionsgroup.com or Rachel Yoka at yoka@parking-mobility.org if you would like to share any additional information to help this critical project.

Brett Wood, CAPP, PE, is president of Wood Solutions Group.

IPMI Blog, Resources

Cultivating the Next Generation of Industry Professionals

July 20, 2020 Kim Fernandez Leave a comment

“I fell into parking.”

“I never thought I’d work in this industry.”

We hear it all the time–longtime parking and mobility professionals say they never saw themselves in this industry but loved it once they fell or backed into it. But what if there was a concerted effort to make people pick parking–to make working in parking a career goal?

Kevin White, AICP, talked to some top experts about that very question for this month’s issue of Parking & Mobility magazine and came up with some great answers and strategies for recruiting top professionals into parking. It’s eye-opening and offers terrific takeaways, and might just land you your next great staff member. Read it here.