The Parking Professional February 2017

28

An Unknown Autonomous Future

THE INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

34

Los Angeles and Vision Zero

38

A Very Different Future

44

Customer Service or Marketing

FEBRUARY 2017

PHOTORRIFIC! 2016 Photo Contest Winners

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2017 IPI Conference & Expo M a y 21 - 2 4 | N e w O r l e a n s , L a .

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DAILY GENERAL SESSIONS Experts and thought leaders shaping the industry deliver exciting and actionalble solutions during IPI’s daily general sessions.

IN DEPTH PRE-CONFERENCE PROGRAMS Add an in-depth preConference program to your Conference registration to advance your knowledge and critical skills.

• APO Site Reviewer Training • Media Interview Coaching • Parksmart Advisor Training

TECHTalks – WHERE TECHNOLOGY AND PARKING INTERSECT! If you’re looking for real insight with an emphasis on technology, join a TECHtalk on the Expo floor.

Join us for the opening General Session: The Future of Parking, Transportation, and Mobility – An Expert Panel

Included in this year’s education program – TSA presents the First Observer Plus training program

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IPIconference.parking.org

WAYFINDING FEBRUARY 2017 | Volume 33 | Number 2

20

Photorrific!

38

The winners of the 2016 The Parking Professional photo contest.

28

34

Preparing for an Unknown (Autonomous) Future

An expert panel talks about what parking professionals need to know about autonomous vehicles and what the parking industry needs to do to prepare.

Setting L.A.’s Sights on Vision Zero

A community comes together to make transportation safer for everyone.

2

INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

A Very Different Future

Preferences, transportation systems, and technology are all changing. Parking will have to change with them.

42

Five Rules for Revenue Control Success

Looking for the best ways to ensure revenue stays where it belongs?

A seasoned parking pro offers his top five rules to make it happen.

44

Service or Marketing?

Why implementing true customer service can be more valuable than giveaways or other campaigns.

Editor’s Note

DEPARTMENTS

4 Entrance 6 Five Things 8 Consultants Corner 1 0 The Green Standard 1 2 The Business of Parking 1 4 Financial Matters 1 6 Parking Spotlight 1 8 IPI Ask the Experts 4 8 IPI in Action 50 State & Regional Spotlight 5 4 Community Digest 5 9 New and Renewing IPI Members 6 0 Parking Consultants 6 2 Advertisers Index 6 2 Parking Break

GREAT SHOTS

W

hen’s the last time you saw reserved parking for a Sherman tank? Most people would focus on the tank, but here at The Parking Professional, it’s all about the parking space—and it’s a space we love having on our cover this month thanks to our annual photo contest.

I really enjoy seeing entries come in every year and then hearing comments, gasps, and giggles from our panel of judges as they flip through every photo.

This year was a tougher-than-normal process thanks to a record number of entries and great quality across the board. Thanks to all who entered, congratulations to our winners, and I hope you’ll all check out our favorite submissions starting on p. 22. Keep your eyes peeled for the kickoff of this year’s contest in a few months.

Photography has come a long way thanks to the incredible capacity of smartphone cameras, and we’re seeing more and more great shots thanks to the growth of social media. Here at IPI, we enjoy sharing with and getting to know our members on several platforms. Are you following us yet? We’re easy to find—we’re @IPIParking on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and easy to find on LinkedIn, too. Join our conversations and our community on one or all of those platforms. It’s easy and one of the best ways to keep up with the industry, which changes minute by minute.

This issue is all about the future—sort of a crystal ball for your organizational and professional planning. We hope you enjoy and learn from it. As always, I love hearing from you and hope you’ll get in touch. My email address is below.

Until next month…

6 3 Calendar of Events fernandez@parking.org

parking.org/tpp

FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

3

ENTRANCE

Editor Kim Fernandez fernandez@parking.org Contributing Editor Bill Smith, APR bsmith@smith-phillips.com Technical Editor Rachel Yoka, CAPP, LEED AP BD+C yoka@parking.org Advertising Sales Bonnie Watts, CEM watts@parking.org Subscriptions Tina Altman taltman@parking.org.

Graphic Design BonoTom Studio info@bonotom.com Proofreader Melanie Padgett Powers For advertising information, contact Bonnie Watts at watts@parking.org or 571.699.3011.

For subscription changes, contact Tina Altman, taltman@parking.org.

The Parking Professional (ISSN 0896-2324 & USPS 001436) is published monthly by the International Parking Institute.

1330 Braddock Place, Suite 350 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 571.699.3011 Fax: 703.566.2267 Email: ipi@parking.org Website: parking.org Postmaster note: Send address label changes promptly to: The Parking Professional 1330 Braddock Place, Suite 350 Alexandria, VA 22314 Interactive electronic version of The Parking Professional for members and subscribers only at parking.org/tpp.

Periodical postage paid at Alexandria, Va., and additional mailing offices. Copyright © International Parking Institute, 2017. Statements of fact and opinion expressed in articles contained in The Parking Professional are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent an official expression of policy or opinion on the part of officers or the members of IPI. Manuscripts, correspondence, articles, product releases, and all contributed materials are welcomed

by The Parking Professional; however, publication is subject to editing, if deemed necessary to conform to standards of publication.

The subscription rate is included in IPI annual dues.

Subscription rate for non-members of IPI is $120 per year (U.S. currency) in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

All other countries, $150. Back issues, $10.

The Parking Professional is printed on 10 percent recycled paper and on paper from trees grown specifically for that purpose.

WHY IT MATTERS

By Mark Lyons, CAPP

C

omplete this sentence: It’s not what I say; it’s what I ______________ that matters.

Last week I was working through lunch and found myself receiving a shipment from the UPS driver, who noticed my Parking Matters® polo shirt. He stopped in his tracks to read it aloud to himself, repeating “Parking Matters, Parking Matters.” Then, with a perplexed look on his face, he said, “Parking Matters. That’s funny.”

Before I could get two words out in proud response, he quickly wrapped up the signature and headed out of the office.

I’ve had the same reaction from colleagues. Parkers from every facet of life think little about the logistical challenges and amount of work it takes to look out and prepare for the public’s parking needs.

I’ve said it many times: Parking is like water. Everyone expects it to be there and when it’s not available, it becomes an emergency. We need strategies that can be used to reach beyond the obvious and ensure programs are effective and consistent with sound principles.

We need to establish credible rapport with our extended team members and the community. Getting our message across requires translating parking management methodologies that benefit users and help create a transformation of cognizance.

Ask yourself: What strategies are you using to influence others in your organization to gain more appreciation and integrate long-term parking strategies? How seriously do you take your responsibility for pushing our profession forward? If you are overlooking opportunities to talk about how Parking Matters, what strategy could you take to begin injecting and sharing knowledge?

Each of us can play a key role in a societal transformation by reflecting on what our parents used to teach us—it’s not what you say but what you do that matters. This year, I am committed to being more inclusive in my expectations and requirements from vendors, design engineers, consultants, staff planners, and procurement teams. If they are affecting parking resources, I need to know they comprehend our industry’s privations so we prevent recurring mistakes in design and urban planning. One way I accomplish this is by requiring firms doing business with the city to maintain industry relationships, vis-a-vis, parking association memberships.

Another way to integrate our experiences with those who have an impact on our business is to take advantage of the plethora of studies and articles produced by IPI and its partners. Multiple times a week I receive information not just about parking statistics and revenue enhancements, but more far reaching real-world subjects that address how parking and transportation management can work together and make a difference in our communities. By sharing these updates with our extended team and reaching out on a personal level, we encourage others to engage successful parking principles, further lending credibility and professionalism to our humble roots.

@IPIParking

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INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

MARK LYONS, CAPP, is general manager of parking for the City of Sarasota, Fla., and a member of IPI’s Board of Directors. He can be reached at mark. lyons@sarasotafl.gov.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Publisher Shawn Conrad, CAE conrad@parking.org

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FIVE THINGS

FIVE TED TALKS FOR PARKING PROFESSIONALS

1 2 3 5 4

Ah, the wonderful TED Talk. Short, informative, and frequently hilarious, they are hugely popular, streaming wisdom and entertainment in 15-minute chunks. But how does a parking professional find the best ones specific to his or her interests? Fear not—we’ve done the research for you. Here are five we particularly love.

NYC’s Highest-Grossing Fire Hydrant

Data analyst Ben Wellington delivers an entertaining and fascinating talk on how he found the worst parking in New York City, why a specific fire hydrant brings in the most parking violation revenue in the city, and why some folks gathering big data are doing it all wrong. Check it out at bit.ly/parkinghydrant.

A Car for Blind Drivers Dennis Hong, founder and director of the RoMeLa robotics lab at Virginia Tech, has faced many challenges head-on. But a car that a blind driver could operate (not a car to drive the blind, but one that could actually be driven by a blind person)? That was a tall order. Learn about how he solved the problem and invented the vehicle at bit.ly/carsfortheblind.

Diagonal Parking

When someone wanted to build a high-rise apartment building with a street-level garage across from his own apartment, Danish architect Bjarke Ingels took them to task: Why not build an entire building of penthouses on a diagonal to maximize the view? That meant building underground parking on a diagonal as well. Visit bit.ly/diagonalparking to see his TED talk on this and other projects (diagonal parking starts at 11:22 in the video).

Bill Ford, great-grandson of Henry Ford, is a car guy. But he’s a car guy with some pretty progressive ideas about cars and their effect on the environment.

Check out his ideas about the future of mobility and a smarter transportation system at bit.ly/beyondgridlock.

6

INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

OK, this one’s not about parking at all, but it is the all-time favorite TED talk of a parking editor we know pretty well, and she thinks it’s worth a listen no matter what profession you’re in.

Malcolm Gladwell learned a lot about life and happiness from researching the history of spaghetti sauce. Maybe you will too. Watch it at bit.ly/choiceandsauce.

TED TALKS

Beyond Gridlock

Choice, Happiness, and Spaghetti Sauce

CONSULTANTS CORNER

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES = REDUCED PARKING DEMAND?

By Joseph Balskus, PE, PTOE

A

famous cliché says, “We don’t know what we don’t know.” The same can be said for the transportation transforlution (yes I made that up because there is a transformation and a revolution happening) now underway that involves the technological advancements in self-driving vehicles, autonomous vehicles, or as I have recently read, highly autonomous vehicles (HAV), and their potential effects on the parking industry. There are also vehicle-to-vehicle (V2) and vehicle-to-infrastructure technologies involving cars talking to each other and roadway systems.

As a transportation engineer and parking consultant, I have been following the infinite information available minute-by-minute online. Processing the loads of information from an ever-increasing number of sources is an extreme challenge.

What We Know

JOSEPH BALSKUS, PE, PTOE, is principal of CDM Smith and a member of IPI’s Consultants Committee. He can be reached at balskusj@ cdmsmith.com.

8

While we don’t know all the effects of autonomous technology, I think I can offer these tidbits of what we do know as of February 2017: ●● The technology will continue to develop and progress to a point of maturity in the near future (this is similar to personal computer advancements, which have matured). ●● General acceptance of the technology will grow in time. ●● The technology offers significant benefits for retiring baby boomers to remain independent through on-­ demand access to personal transportation (Uber/Lyft). ●● The technology offers the potential for babies born today to never drive a car. Sixteen years from now, driving may be considered something we used to do. ●● Most importantly to our health, the technology will provide the safest transportation of humans with the potential to virtually eliminate human-caused vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities. ●● The technology will become mainstream, and manufacturers who do not incorporate it will be left behind. ●● Standardization will have trickle-down effects to tolls, parking, and revenue control systems. ●● The automobile manufacturers will become technology companies (think Tesla). ●● The smartphone will be fully integrated with the automobile.

And Parking So what does all this mean for parking? It depends on how the general public accepts it. We can see the ben-

INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

efits of Uber and Lyft and other providers in reducing reliance on taxis and our own parking. Many millennials rely upon those ride-sharing companies to avoid driving their own vehicles.

A recent Massachusetts Institute of Technology study tested the use of a coordinated ride-sharing algorithm using 3,000 vehicles verses 14,000 taxis. It found better service could be provided with far fewer miles traveled and therefore less congestion and parking demand. The study made several assumptions, including sharing of rides, which I think millennials are more likely to do than boomers, and use of single-rider taxis.

One scenario I have pondered (for my own selfish need) is that the busy worker with a half hour or more commute can use an autonomous vehicle to continue working during the commute. That vehicle will not necessarily need a parking spot at the office. If the technology continues to advance, as Uber is planning, that vehicle can provide rides to numerous similar workers within a geographic area. In this example, one autonomous vehicle can either be used by the worker as a taxi to the office, yet still park in the parking spot, or it can be shared and reduce the parking demand, depending on how many others it serves on the daily commute.

The impacts to parking in the growing metropolitan areas will be dependent on how many mass transit users convert to the personalization of the autonomous vehicle, as they will not need to worry about parking.

One thing is for sure: the transforlution is coming. Just announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last month, one automotive manufacturer with a joint venture with a software company using artificial intelligence as the backbone has promised the first true autonomous vehicle to the mass market in 2020. While that is a scant three years from now, it is a light year in the technology timeframe.

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THE GREEN STANDARD

WHAT IF?

By Ron Steedly, CAPP

A

s you read through this issue of The Parking Professional, you may have done a double take and closed it to be sure you were not actually reading a new parking journal called The Parking Progressional. All this progressive thinking surrounding transportation modes and infrastructure sure does spark a lot of “what if”s regarding the effects of what we are doing today and what we need to do to plan for tomorrow.

We have all at some time or another been exposed to things that, at the time, were concept or futuristic and seemed really cool, but we thought they would never happen. The fact is some of them eventually did happen. And it seems with the exponential capabilities of technology, the eventually happening has a better chance of actually happening—and more quickly than we thought, for that matter. We need to embrace this concept, adapt, and work on becoming change agents for our organizations and industry, guiding the change rather than reacting to it.

Decisions

RON STEEDLY, CAPP, is alternative transportation manager at Texas A&M University and a member of IPI’s Sustainability Committee. He can be reached at rsteedly@ tamu.edu.

10

A lot of this progressive thinking is culturally based and resource driven. Decisions in the past created the culture we experience today regarding the transportation system.

The resources are people, planet, and profit (the three Ps of sustainability, commonly referred to as the triple bottom line). So why all this progressive thinking today?

Well, the answer is simple: We need to create a culture change that facilitates wise stewardship of our resources.

Where do we fit in? Your personal answer can be found somewhere in the Rogers Adoption Curve. It essentially describes how new innovations/ideas are accepted/adopted by groups and cultures. As new ideas are introduced into society, they are accepted through five stages of adopters: ●● Innovators. ●● Early adopters. ●● Early majority. ●● Late majority. ●● Laggards.

The stages work from left to right. As we move across the x-axis from innovators to laggards, the acceptance of the innovation/idea works its way to being 100 percent.

People do not need to be at the same stage every time.

INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

We ebb and flow within the stages depending on the innovation/idea being presented.

The Stages

Innovators (2.5 percent). Innovators seem obsessed with new innovations or ideas and are willing to invest time and money regardless of the possibility of failure.

Early adopters (13.5 percent). Early adopters jump on the innovation/idea early on in the lifecycle and give it initial traction. They typically have influence and push the innovation/idea to the next stage.

Early majority (34 percent). Early majority adopters like to collect more information about an innovation/ idea, evaluate the pros and cons, and listen to the early adopters and group consensus before making a decision.

Late majority (34 percent). Late majority adopters are the skeptics. They typically adopt the new innovation/ idea after and because their friends all have and they feel the need to conform. Word of mouth is typically more influential than mass media.

Laggards (16 percent). Laggards are the ones who finally adopt something when there is no other choice.

They are the ones who are stuck in their ways.

It is important not to forget all of these stages are present in all of us. I am sure more than one of you reading this has participated in someone’s innovative crowdfunding campaigns but still has a flip phone or tube television.

I will suggest when looking at innovation/ideas moving the transportation industry forward that we do our best to get our heads and hearts behind the initiatives no later than the beginning of the early majority stage. In my opinion, not doing so will put you into a reactionary position from which you may not recover.

Together we can support each other in smart parking planning and take action to lead the way in shaping transportation for the people, planet, and profit.

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THE BUSINESS OF PARKING HUMAN RESOURCES LEGAL

LEADING BY REMEMBERING THE PAST

By Julius E. Rhodes, SPHR

W

elcome to 2017. For many, myself included, 2016 was a year that presented a number of difficulties on fronts too numerous to mention. As a result, many of us have resolved to make 2017 the best year ever.

Where do we begin to focus to make this record-setting year a reality? My answer is that we should start with leadership.

There is no shortage of literature on the subject. However, I want to go back to something many of us learned a long time ago that’s become almost unconscious when we do it today. We recall and act consistently, which is the essence of being a leader.

Many of us can vividly recall getting our first bikes and the anticipation and trepidation we felt about learning how to ride that amazing machine. Once we mastered the basics of riding, we never really thought again about what it takes to ride a bicycle. The very things we need to ride a bicycle are the same qualities required for leadership.

Learning to ride a bicycle requires balance, consistency, core stability, resiliency, vision, strength, endurance, speed, and confidence. Let’s take a look at some of these.

Balance I’m guessing many of you, like me, had training wheels that were never quite even. As a result, you went from riding on your left side to riding on your right side. Eventually, you learned how to even out the process so that you weren’t riding on three or four wheels but on two.

Balance is essential to life—everything is harder without it.

the riding surface felt, and your connection to your bike.

As a leader, there will come a time when you will be tested to your core regarding your values and beliefs. When this happens, know that people are watching, as they always are, and how you respond will speak volumes.

Resiliency No doubt, you fell off that bike more than once, and you probably scraped your knees, hands, and other parts of your body. You had a choice: Stop riding or get back on.

I was riding my bike recently and took a fall unlike any I’ve had since I was a child. As I laid sprawled out on the ground—all 6 feet 6 inches and 230 pounds—I wondered if I had this in me. I was bruised and bloody, but I knew if I got back on, I would be better off than if I walked back.

Resiliency and being able to bounce back from setbacks is paramount to displaying leadership.

Endurance The more you rode your bike, the more you wanted to ride and the longer you were able to go without thinking about how far you actually went. You got stronger and your ability to control your bike improved. Endurance is essential, and we have to be mentally and physically strong.

Consistency

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Core Stability You went from riding on three or four wheels to riding on two by learning to properly position your body. This involved processing information from your vision, how

INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

Confidence Remember when your parents held the back end of the bike? It was a reassuring feeling. But they eventually let go, and you realized you could ride without someone holding on. As your skills increased, others saw your expertise, and you began to feel better about your ability.

People want to be associated with confident people as it inspires them to act confidently as well.

As we embark upon 2017, let’s not reinvent the wheel.

Each of us should endeavor to recall and act upon the fundamental skills we learned long ago. Go ride a bike, and experience the joy you felt all those years ago.

SHUTTERSTOCK

JULIUS E. RHODES, SPHR, is founder and principal of the mpr group and author of BRAND: YOU Personal Branding for Success in Life and Business.

He can be reached at jrhodes@mprgroup. info or 773.548.8037.

When you first learned to ride a bike, you needed to maintain a consistent speed as you weren’t able to go from a stop to a full-on sprint. As you became better at riding, you learned how to vary your speed but also how to continue to put forth a consistent amount of effort that would move you forward. In life you don’t always need to go 100 miles per hour but you always need to display a consistent effort.

The Perfect Way to Kick Off Your Day

Brighten up your inbox!

IPI’s Parking Matters® Blog offers the latest parking news, trends, analysis, and stories—all in the span of a coffee break.

And best of all, you can have it delivered right to your email for free.

Visit parking.org/blog to catch up on everything you need to know to stay ahead, and click on “Subscribe to Posts” to sign up. We’ll see you in the morning.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

THE POWER OF DIVIDENDS IN A PORTFOLIO

By Mark A. Vergenes

N

ot that long ago, many investors regarded dividends as roughly the financial equivalent of a record turntable at a gathering of MP3 users—a throwback to an earlier era, irrelevant to the real action.

Fast-forward a few years and things look a little different. Since 2003, when the top federal income tax rate on qualified dividends was reduced from a maximum of 38.6 percent, dividends have acquired renewed respect. Favorable tax treatment isn’t the only reason either—the ability of dividends to provide income and potentially help mitigate market volatility is also attractive to investors. As baby boomers approach retirement and begin to focus on income-producing investments, the long-term demand for high-quality, reliable dividends is likely to increase.

Why Dividends?

MARK A. VERGENES is president of MIRUS Financial Partners and chair of the Lancaster (Pa.) Parking Authority.

He can be reached at mark@mirusfinancial partners.com.

14

Dividend income has represented roughly one-third of the total return on the S&P 500 since 1926. According to S&P, the portion of total return attributable to dividends has ranged from a high of 53 percent during the 1940s to a low of 14 percent during the 1990s, when investors tended to focus on growth.

If dividends are reinvested, their effect over time becomes even more dramatic. S&P calculates that $1 invested in the S&P 500 on Jan. 1, 1929, would have grown to $66.48 by 2012. When coupled with reinvested dividends, that same $1 investment would have resulted in $1,832.45. (Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and taxes were not factored into the calculations.)

If a stock’s price rises 8 percent a year, even a 2.5 percent dividend yield can push its total return into double digits. Dividends can be especially attractive during times of relatively low or mediocre returns; in some cases, dividends could help turn a negative return positive and also can mitigate the impact of a volatile market by helping to even out a portfolio’s return.

Another argument has been made for paying attention to dividends as a reliable indicator of a company’s financial health. Investors have become more conscious in recent years of the value of dependable data as a basis for investment decisions, and dividend payments aren’t easily restated or massaged.

Finally, many dividend-paying stocks represent large, established companies that may have significant

INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

resources to weather an economic downturn, which could be helpful if you’re relying on those dividends to help pay living expenses.

Corporate Incentive Financial and utility companies have been traditional mainstays for investors interested in dividends, but other sectors of the market also have begun to offer them. For example, investors have been stepping up pressure on cash-rich technology companies to distribute at least some of their profits as dividends rather than reinvesting all of that money to fuel growth.

According to S&P, corporations are beginning to favor stock buybacks rather than dividend increases as a way to reward shareholders. If it continues, that trend could make ever-increasing dividends more elusive.

Dividends paid on common stock are by no means guaranteed; a company’s board of directors can decide to reduce or eliminate them. The amount of a company’s dividend can fluctuate with earnings, which are influenced by economic, market, and political events.

Look Before You Leap Investing in dividend-paying stocks isn’t as simple as just picking the highest yield. If you’re investing for income, consider whether the company’s cash flow can sustain its dividend. Also, some companies choose to use corporate profits to buy back company shares. That may increase the value of existing shares, but it sometimes takes the place of instituting or raising dividends.

MIRUS Financial Partners, nor Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, give tax or legal advice. Opinions expressed are not intended as investment advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of determining your social security benefits, eligibility, or avoiding any federal tax penalties. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representations as to its completeness or accuracy. All economic and performance information is historical and indicative of future results.

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Management

Programs

i Shared Parking

i Wayfinding Systems

Technology/ Structure Design

i Transportation Management Association/Organization

i Carshare Program

i Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

i Rideshare Program

i Ventilation Systems

i Recycling Program

i Lighting Controls

i Proactive Operational Maintenance

i Low-emitting and Fuelefficient Vehicles

i Cleaning Procedures

i Alternative Fuel Vehicles

i Roofing Systems

i Building Systems Commissioning

i Bicycle Sharing/Rental

i Renewable Energy Generation

i Construction Waste Management i Reused, Repurposed, or Recycled Materials

i Energy Efficient Lighting Systems

PARKING SPOTLIGHT PROGRAM

STAYING SAFE: THE FIRST OBSERVER PLUS TRAINING PROGRAM

By Kathleen Federici, MEd

I

PI is excited to announce the launch of the redesigned First Observer Plus™ program, which trains parking professionals to help spot and combat terrorism before it happens.

First Observer Plus is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security program that’s administered by the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to train transportation professionals to observe, assess, and report potential terrorist activity. With the guidance of its Safety and Security and Education Development committees, IPI has advised and provided feedback to the TSA on the new content.

The program’s mission is to provide transportation professionals with the knowledge they need to recognize suspicious activity that could be related to terrorism, guidance in assessing what they see, and a method for reporting those observations. The program provides modally-specific anti-terrorism and security awareness training to surface transportation professionals using individualized training modules for several modes: ●● Highway and Motor Carrier. Includes general parking, vehicle rental, highway infrastructure, over-the-road bus, school transportation, and general trucking. ●● Freight Rail. ●● Mass Transit. Includes passenger rail, subways, and transit buses. ●● Pipelines.

The Program The basics of the First Observer Plus program include: ●● Observe any suspicious behavior. Watch for persons showing unusual interest; asking questions; and/ or taking notes, pictures, or video of facilities, infrastructure, personnel, or surrounding areas. The TSA teaches to not make assumptions or stereotype based on personal appearance. ●● Assess the situation. Ask yourself: Does it look right?

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INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

Is it out of the ordinary? Is it out of place? What isn’t “normal” about it? Are there signs of tampering and/ or manipulation? Use all of your senses when assessing the situation; for example, are there unusual odors or sounds? ●● Report anything that doesn’t look right by calling 9-1-1 immediately if police or medical help is needed. Report: Who? What? When? Where? Describe persons, vehicles, equipment, and objects. Even the smallest details can make all the difference.

The TSA website (tsa. gov/firstobserver ) is now offering the newly revised First Observer Plus online video training modules.

The website provides stakeholders with a link to view any of the new First Observer Plus training videos that have been produced to date. It also provides a link that takes users to a brief registration page (no logon or password required) and then offers the ability to print out an individual, modally specific certificate of completion, which recognizes an individual’s participation in the First Observer Plus training program.

Additionally, the TSA is working on creating the infrastructure to support the registration of parking professionals who may attend any First Observer Plus onsite classroom training sessions, and also will provide classroom trainees with access to completion certificates. Through the website, industry members will soon be able to request onsite training provided

by TSA. However, the infrastructure and personnel to fully support onsite training are not currently in place to accommodate requests.

The TSA’s long-range plans to accommodate face-

to-face training requests involve a contractor-supported system that adds stakeholder trainers, private sector trainers, and (to a lesser degree) some TSA engagement to accommodate stakeholder requests for First Observer Plus onsite training.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Face-to-Face at IPI IPI is proud to announce that a pilot face-to-face First Observer Plus training will be offered at the 2017 IPI Conference and Expo in May 2017 in New Orleans, La. The First Observer Plus program will be held on Tuesday May 23, 2017 from 11 a.m to 12:30 p.m. There is no additional cost for this training and anyone who has any interest is encouraged to attend this parking-focused training session.

Join the First Observer Plus education session at the IPI conference to learn how the program works and why parking is an important sector for this program.

Examples of how to observe, assess, and report unusual activities during the normal course of your work will be highlighted. Attendees will learn to: ●● Explain the criticality of the transportation sector and why it may be at risk. ●● Gain an awareness of terroristic ideologies and emerging threats. ●● Recognize behaviors, tactics and weapons that have been and may be employed by terrorists. parking.org/tpp

Identify challenges of cyber security vulnerabilities.

Understand how to assess potential threats by recognizing normal and suspicious behaviors in your work environment and describe what actions you can take with the resources available.

The presenter is Kenneth Ward, transportation security specialist, Transportation Security Administration, Surface Division, Industry Engagement Branch. ●● ●●

To Come First Observer Plus is a constantly evolving program that will continuously be revised and updated. Additional training modules for hazmat trucking, food and ag trucking, stadium and arena parking, and law enforcement are currently under development and due out later this year.

The TSA has established a First Observer Plus hotline to report transportation-related suspicious activities that may not rise to the level of an emergency. Staff area available 24/7 to handle incoming, non-emergency calls at 1.844.TSA.FRST (844.872.3778).

IPI and its Safety and Security and Education Development committees are very excited to have had the opportunity to work on such an important training program for the safety of transportation infrastructure for our country. For more information on the First Observer Plus program, please contact me directly.

KATHLEEN FEDERICI, MEd, is IPI’s director of professional development. She can be reached at federici@parking.org.

FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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IPI’S ASK THE EXPERTS

Deborah Hoffmann Associate Director, Transportation Services Texas A&M University Options! Having options available for customers is my No. 1 rule for giving the best service possible—options for parking available at varying levels of convenience and rates or ways to get where they are going, to a variety of services from which to choose. Always having options available puts the customer in the driver’s seat, where they get choice and rarely have to be told “no.”

L. Dennis Burns, CAPP Regional Vice President Kimley-Horn One of the more interesting parking and customer service innovations in the municipal environment I have seen lately is a program to have all frontline parking division staff became certified tourism ambassadors. This is a national certification used by convention and visitors’ bureaus and other customer-service industries.

Irma Henderson, CAPP

Director, Transportation Services University of California, Riverside Smile! The value of this simple act is immeasurable and most people will return your smile with one of their own. It’s a great way to start a conversation, brighten up someone’s day, or even approach a potentially difficult conversation.

Stephen J. Rebora President DESMAN Outstanding customer service is achieved when you simply act like a decent human being and treat customers with respect. I believe the old adage “treat people how you would like to be treated” is still the No.1 rule.

Joseph Sciulli, CAPP Vice President

CHANCE Management Advisors It’s up to the manager to be in the field (or at the call center or the processing department, etc.), showing appreciation and imparting knowledge to line employees and their supervisors. Make sure they know what they’re really contributing by their work and create the opportunities for employees to contribute ideas to improve their work processes.

Have a question for IPI’s experts? Send it to fernandez@parking.org and watch this space for answers.

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The opinions, beliefs, and thoughts expressed by the contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the International Parking Institute or official policies of IPI.

What’s your No. 1 tip for offering stellar customer service in parking?

APO has raised the bar.

How do you measure up?

F

ind out today. This new program recognizes a comprehensive

standard of excellence based on best practices and industry benchmarks across 14 major categories and more than 150 criteria.

Designed for institutional, municipal, medical, university, airport, commercial, private, and other parking programs, both Accredited and Accredited with Distinction criteria will guide you and your organization to greater success and recognition.

Relevant and practical as well as goal-oriented and visionary, APO will advance the parking industry and your organization.

Required reading: Download the Second Edition of the APO Matrix and Manual for Applicants at parking.org/apo.

PHOTO Announcing the winners of the 2016 The Parking Professional Photo Contest They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we beholders at The Parking Professional saw lots of it while judging this year’s photo contest. A record number of entries made this year’s judging tougher than ever for IPI staff, but we soldiered through, gnashing our teeth and flipping through entries lots of times before choosing this year’s winners.

Category winners each receive a free online course from IPI. Our best-in-show photographer won a free registration to the 2017 IPI Conference & Expo, May 21–24 in New Orleans, La. (ipiconference.parking.org). Thanks to all of our participants. We hope everyone enjoys this year’s winners and a few bonus photos we had to show off.

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INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

BEST IN SHOW David Onorato, CAPP, executive director of the Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh, took this shot of a Sherman tank in its own reserved parking space (artillery has its privileges?) at the Senator John Heintz History Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. The 1944 M4 Sherman fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II and was moved to the history center in June 2015; it weighs a massive 38 tons.

RRIFIC!

parking.org/tpp

FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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EQUIPMENT Renee Rounds, creative manager at IPS Group, took this great shot of a parking meter in front of the historic Fox Oakland Theater while on a trip there. The theater opened in 1928, closed in 1965, underwent a complete refurbishment beginning in 1999, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT

LOT Larry Cohen, CAPP, executive director of the Lancaster Parking Authority, captured an unusual parking lot mural in Philadelphia.

STRUCTURE Few things are as gorgeous as trees in the autumn, and they’re even better when they live in front of a beautiful parking garage. Dennis Burns, CAPP, shot this photo at the Mayo Clinic in autumn.

OFFBEAT We love this shot from Eric Haggett, associate at DESMAN. He found this sign painted on the back of a truck chassis in the parking lot of a brewery outside Ithaca, N.Y., where it directs patrons to overflow parking.

PEOPLE Sharon Zuk, operations assistant in the parking and transportation department at the Denver International Airport, went along for the ride when her office colleagues took it to the roof, dancing up a storm to show their appreciation for their customers. Dance on, guys—we love it!

parking.org/tpp

FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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PHOTORRIFIC! RUNNERS-UP There were so many beautiful photos submitted to this year’s contest, we had to share a few runners-up. Many thanks to everyone for participating.

Keep your eyes peeled this fall for the next competition!

Photo by Richard Tebinka

Photo by Ryan Branco

Photo by Ryan D. Willis

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Photo by William Wasser

Photo by Renee Rounds parking.org/tpp

FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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2 0 1 7 PA R K I N G S O L U T I O N S C O M P E T I T I O N :

DO YOU HAVE THE NEXT BIG IDEA?

What is this competition?

The International Parking Institute (IPI) Parking Solutions Competition is a design and development parking challenge for college students actively enrolled in an undergraduate institution or actively pursuing a graduate degree.

The Challenge:

Find an innovative new way to reduce single-occupant vehicles to maximize land use; increase mobility options; and decrease congestion, emissions, and pollution through parking solutions.

The Prize: $500 prize, a feature in The Parking Professional magazine, plus more.

parking.org/parkingsolutions

T h i n k B i g – B e C r e a t i v e – T h e F u t u r e o f P a r k i n g i s Yo u !

P AER’ R K IEN L G OSOO KL IUNT G I O FN O S RC T OH ME P EN TE I OXNT |B IWGI NI D$E5A0 0 W Who:

3

What is this competition?

Prizes:

University students actively enrolled in an undergraduate institution or actively pursuing a graduate degree that are 18 years of age or older as of May 18, 2017.

The International Parking Institute (IPI) Parking Solutions Competition is a design and development challenge for college students. This inaugural competition is a chance for students to express their rendition of The Next Big Idea in parking. IPI seeks to engage students in a challenging parking solutions exercise based on real-world scenarios. Students can submit independently or form multi-disciplinary teams. Finalists will be selected on the basis of creativity, innovation, realism, applicability, scalability, overall presentation, and the ability to benchmark success and demonstrate return on investment.

Why this challenge:

At first glance, the question posed may not seem to be a parking challenge. However, parking is an essential element of the mobility equation. Parking and transportation go hand-in-hand – one cannot be planned, implemented, and managed effectively without the other.

Too often and for far too long, planning and operating parking was an afterthought in the planning and design process for our cities, towns, and campuses. The urban landscape in particular has changed rapidly due to demographics, demand for more livable places and communities, and transformative (and disruptive) technologies. In the face of all this change, parking will play a vital role in the mobility equation – but it, too, will evolve. How can parking adapt, and be resilient and effective while taking advantage of financial, societal, and technological trends? That’s our challenge: to reduce the frequency and reliance on the single-occupant vehicle as the primary mode of transportation and craft more viable mobility solutions for the places we live, work, and play.

The challenge:

Find an innovative new way to reduce the use of single-occupant vehicles and: • Maximize land use.

• Increase mobility options.

• Decrease congestion, emissions, and pollution through parking solutions.

What’s required: 1 Provide a brief narrative of your big idea – a short description of 2

1,000 to 1,500 words.

One of the following applications is required: • Mobile application.

• Website or online service.

• Plans/drawings/graphics.

• 3/D Models/animation.

• Video.

Formats include, but are not limited to the list above, and multiple formats may also be combined to illustrate the proposed parking solution. Additional formats may be proposed – contact Stephanie Santoro at santoro@parking.org.

In May 2017, the competition will sponsor one member of each finalist team to travel to the 2017 IPI Conference & Expo in New Orleans, La., to meet international experts and present their innovative idea at the Parking Solutions Competition ceremony, which will be recorded and shared widely on social media.

Finalists Receive: • Roundtrip airfare and a two-night hotel stay in New Orleans for one person/team member (arrangements to be made by IPI). Additional participants may attend at their own expense.

• Free Conference registration valued at $1,299 for one person/team member.

• One complimentary year of student membership in IPI, the world’s leading and largest association for parking professionals.

Grand Prize Winner: • $500 prize.

• Feature in The Parking Professional, IPI’s award-winning monthly magazine, showcasing your parking solution.

• Feature on parking.org.

• Press Release and blog posts.

• Bragging rights and social media recognition.

Where:

Finalists will be notified by March 2017, and travel to IPI’s 2017 Conference & Expo to present on May 23, 2017.

#IPI2017

When:

Opening day of competition: December 1, 2016 Submissions due: February 15, 2016

Why:

The Parking Solutions competition is part of IPI’s ongoing effort to raise interest and awareness among the professionals of the future about the parking and transportation industries. The competition will address parking development patterns and the need for multidisciplinary solutions to design and development challenges for urban spaces, campuses, and parking and transportation challenges.

Questions:

Contact Stephanie Santoro at santoro@parking.org.

Electonic entry form (actual): surveymonkey.com/r/PBN7MYL.

Our Sponsor:

parking.org/parkingsolutions Finalists will demonstrate the following: n Creativity/Innovation n Realism/Applicability/Scalability n Ability to Benchmark Success n ROI n Presentation

W

hat was once an interesting concept is quickly transforming into a hot topic of conversation around water coolers throughout the parking industry. Much of the discussion centers on “What will happen to my

parking operation?” and “When should we start worrying?” However, not much is known in detail. Claims of widespread autonomous rollouts have the target date as soon as five to 10 years from now and as far away as 20 to 30 years out. And ownership and use models have variations and permutations that stretch the imagination.

As an exercise to better examine the potential effects on our industry, The International Parking Institute’s (IPI) Parking Research Committee set out to interview some of parking and transportation’s brightest thought leaders to better understand how and where the impacts might be felt. The answers that follow are intended to help offer a little clarity in a future that gets closer every day.

STER CK/ PO ERSTO SHUTT

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KI2WIN

INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

Preparing for an Unknown (Autonomous) Future An expert panel talks about what parking professionals need to know about autonomous vehicles, what they might do to the industry, and when they need to start taking action for what’s coming next.

B y B r e t t W o o d , P E , C A P P,

parking.org/tpp

and

Daniel DeMott

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What is the single most significant effect of autonomous vehicles (AV) on the parking industry from your perspective?

The autonomous need for a “go park my vehicle” and “go get my vehicle” scenario and garage focus on leveraging partners for aggregating demand and yield optimization.

—Todd Tucker, ParkWhiz If I have to pick just one, I would say in the long term, likely more than 10 years from now, as level 4 driverless vehicles (taxis, whether or not they are shared-rides) become more capable to negotiate the majority of roadway facilities, the vast seas of parking lots we currently have around malls and shops (at least in the suburban parts of most Midwest and Western U.S. cities) will not be as necessary. We currently seem to build parking lots for the 99th-percentile demand day, generating so much land area that goes unused most of the time. The level 4 driverless fleets may be more efficiently parked in different configurations, perhaps more like how rental car facilities are currently operated (nose-to-tail) because availability of individual vehicles in the middle of the lot is not necessary. SUVs, small vehicles, trucks, etc. could be parked in separate lanes, and the next vehicle of a certain type could be dispatched to a user from the front of the queue. Self-driving level 3 vehicles (privately owned) will still need some traditional parking facilities as the individual owners will need access to their own vehicles at any time. Perhaps the AV parking can be hidden behind the business or shopping center or located somewhere else (perhaps far away) with only a small number of AVs staged at a particular origin or destination at any time, requiring just a fraction of the parking footprint we generate today.

—Doug Gettman, Kimley-Horn I think AV could go in one of two directions (with a potential mix). In one scenario, we all continue to own cars, but because of the convenience we stop using transit. While it is expected that AVs will be more efficient users of freeways, I have not seen any data regarding city streets. I fear that our downtowns could become super congested. In my worst-case scenario, people like me who live close to a dense downtown would go to work in our AV, send it home, and have it come back at the end of the day to avoid paying for parking. Right now, the cost of parking encourages me to take the bus or bike to work. If I could send my car home, I wouldn’t have to worry about the cost of parking, and the extra vehicle operation cost would be minimal.

In another, better vision, AVs will be primarily shared.

People commuting to dense urban areas could use them to access high-quality transit, and others may use them to

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carpool in vehicles that could have three or more people in them. In this scenario, congestion would drop, pedestrians and bicyclists would feel safer, and some right of way could be given over to bicyclists and pedestrians. By making walking and biking more comfortable, we could create a virtuous circle in which more people walk and bike. People would have lots of good travel options, and the use of cars would drop. AVs could also reduce the cost of operating a transit system, which would allow more frequent service, further decreasing the need to ride in a private vehicle.

—Matthew Kaufman, UrbanTrans It will change the paradigm of parking, which is currently something expected or desired at the termination of travel.

That includes a coveted space near a commuter’s workplace or home or a temporary spot at a retail, business, or commercial destination—none of which may any longer be necessary.

The shift will happen regardless of how full autonomy is realized, either as a shared-ride model or as what some have termed the environmental “nightmare scenario”— a swarm of privately owned, fully autonomous vehicles that serve a single owner. In either case, the cars would drop people off and head off to pick up other people or perform other errands for their owner staying in motion with no need to park in crowded city centers.

The vehicles would eventually park, if only for downtime, recharging, or scheduled maintenance, but in areas determined by the vehicles’ use (a locale most conducive to a predictive route during the day) or at a central base for a shared-vehicle fleet.

The paradigm shift for parking operators is fewer spaces, perhaps none, needed in city centers. Likewise, real estate brokers may find home garages repurposed at best or superfluous at worst.

The opportunity for parking operators is that their structures also could be repurposed or demolished and redeveloped as property or green space. The challenge for operators is to retain parking as a franchise if large, private fleets become the dominant model of car ownership.

—Robin Washington The single most significant impact will be to untether the driver from the parked car. This removes the need for dedicated parking at the destination. The result is game-changing, enabling flexibility in the location of parking, increasing the efficiency of parking facilities (through design efficiencies and shared parking), and ultimately vastly reducing the amount of parking spaces required (with shared vehicles).

—Will Baungardner, ARUP Ability to accelerate the rollout and adoption of mobility as a service (MaaS) by the public. AVs are not going to change

Our Panelists William Baumgardner, PE Principal, Integrated Planning; Transport & Mobility Business ARUP william.baumgardner@arup.com

Michael Drow

SHUTTERSTOCK/ VIKI2WIN

Consultant mjdrow@gmail.com

Doug Gettman, PhD Director of CV/AV Consulting Services Kimley-Horn doug.gettman@kimley-horn.com

Irena Goloshokin Elevate Ventures Advisor igoloschokin@gmail.com

Matthew Kaufman Planning Director UrbanTrans kaufmanm@urbantrans.com

Aaron Lowe Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs Auto Care Association aaron.lowe@autocare.org

the world overnight, but their introduction will let people see how AVs can be used to enhance and support their transportation needs. This in turn will begin to change how people view and use parking facilities—beginning parking.org/tpp

Lauren Nelson Senior Operations Manager Winpark lauren.nelson@winpark.com

Todd Tucker National VP of Sales ParkWhiz ttucker@parkwhiz.com

Christina Onesirosan Martinez, MBA, MCIM Head of Marketing and Operations Parkopedia christina@parkopedia.com

Robin Washington Contributor to the Boston Globe, WGBH, WIRED, and American City Business Journals robin@robinwashington.com

Mitch Skyer President Solstice Transportation Group mitch@solsticetrg.com

the evolution to transportation hubs where people can park and/or change modes of transportation (i.e. get a bike share, car share, ride share, or mass transit). —Mike Drow FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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The move to car-sharing/Uber and away from vehicle ownership, particularly for younger people living in the cities, has already started. More than 50 percent of Uber’s cost today is the driver. Once the cars are automated and that cost is removed from the equation (at the detriment to millions of people employed as truck and taxi drivers today), taking an Uber would cost the same as the public transport costs today. In addition, proliferation of cheap autonomous taxi fleets will accelerate the move away from personal car ownership, which will dampen the parking demand.

—Christina Onesirosan Martinez, MBA, MCIM Parkopedia Given the long expected useful life of parking facilities and systems, parking professionals should begin considering and incorporating future AV into their plans now and never worry.

—Irena Goloshokin We’re asked these kind of questions from our public agency clients now, so I guess I’d say I’m worrying about it now, but the industry as a whole doesn’t need to start redesigning parking lots for at least another five years or so. Most of the release dates we see from AV developers for AV revenue service is not until at least 2021. But it isn’t clear what capabilities those AVs will actually have initially. Being able to drive on any street from any origin to any destination (and park in any lot) completely driverless is a pretty big challenge. Businesses and parking lot/garage owners who want to be early adopters or trailblazers could start partnering today with AV developers and parking facility designers to start piloting new concepts and doing demonstration projects. There is certainly appetite out there from AV developers to find solutions together.

—Doug Gettman

What should parking professionals be doing to prepare for the impending rollout?

Technology will continue playing an increasingly important role in the parking industry. Whereas drivers park their cars today, in the future, those vehicles will be parking themselves; digital parking payments/access control and accurate information, along with real-time space availability information will be critical. The operators who are not able to provide such services will not be able to attract autonomous cars to their facilities, and as the percentage of such cars on the road increases, this will lead to a significant reduction in parking demand.

—Christina Onesirosan Martinez

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Like the movement toward live, work, play, understanding the demographics of who will use AV and how these groups will use the solution is paramount to preparation. Just like any other form of transportation, AV use will not be one size fits all. Some people will focus on last mile; some will focus on commercial usage; some will use it mainly for family or entertainment. Within each group, the usage will change on a regular basis. Understanding these changing dynamics will help providers maximize the benefits and maximize profits.

—Mitch Skyer Partner with aggregators and those that are aligned with AV players. Don’t ignore the channels that exist today that can be leveraged now to create the environment to succeed.

—Todd Tucker Don’t panic—and do be creative. Although AV technology is happening quickly, the overall societal change won’t happen overnight or at least not for 10 years in the most ambitious scenario. During that time, parking operators could embrace technology in ways that are already here, such as offering discount parking for Smart cars and other half-size vehicles or similarly allowing discounts for self-parking vehicles that could be stacked without space needed to open the doors. The latter, which is estimated at a 30 percent space savings, also would encourage semi-autonomous vehicle ownership, giving the parking industry a voice and perhaps a vote in the coming technological revolution.

As for actual facilities, best practices for repurposing, such as the 1111 Lincoln Road facility in Miami Beach, should be explored and shared, and any new constructions should be built with alternative uses clearly in mind.

These models could recast the parking industry as forward-thinking and accepting of change as opposed to resisting it.

—Robin Washington

What are your best go-to resources on the topic? Are there any social media resources to follow?

Alain Kornhauser from Princeton/Soterea has an excellent curated newsletter of AV-related news items that he distributes about once a month, including his seasoned commentary. ITS America’s SmartBrief newsletter typically picks up AV announcements as they happen within one to two days. Traffic Technology Today has an excellent email newsletter. I’m not much for Twitter or Facebook.

—Doug Gettman

SHUTTERSTOCK/ POSTERIORI

When are you going to start worrying about this?

The Auto Care Association, along with other auto care groups, is developing a website that will have a significant amount of information on vehicle data ownership. We expect the site to be available early next year. Another great source of information on the connected vehicle is the Department of Transportation website: its.dot. gov/about.htm, and from the ITS America website: itsamerica.org.

—Aaron Lowe, Auto Care Association The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is always a first stop for information. The annual TRB meeting and the annual Automated Vehicle Symposium (organized

by TRB and the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International) are both fantastic. Online, I rely on the MIT Technology Review and other technology journals, such as WIRED and Ars Technica. Publications with more of an urban planning focus, such as CityLab, publish in-depth articles of parking and land use implications of automated vehicles. There are a handful of high quality Twitter feeds that consistently share links to investigate, including Susan Shaheen, Tim Papandreou, Shared-Use Mobility Center, Driverless Transportation, and moovel North America.

—Will Baungardner

What’s the biggest opportunity for the parking industry as we move through this immediate phase (the next two to five years) of innovation?

based on increased safety and mobility. Even before fully autonomous vehicles are on the road, data will be available that will provide the potential for the availability of a wide range of services for car owners. For our industry, we will be able to provide more efficient and affordable repairs because data from vehicles will be available in real time, while the car is on the road.

Further, the availability of geolocation information will provide the ability for motorists to communicate with entities nearby to arrange services from emergency response to parking without use of a smartphone. The key will be developing an open system that permits vehicles to communicate in a secure fashion with entities outside of the vehicle manufacturers.

—Aaron Lowe If by “biggest,” the implication is most lucrative, the most expedient opportunity for parking operators fortunate enough to own coveted parcels in business districts is to get out of the business and sell to a developer! That’s blasphemy for the industry, of course, and only good advice to those who plan on retiring and forfeiting a steady income stream. More sustainable is to exercise the transitional semi-autonomous techniques stated above to assist and encourage AV technology and to partner with developers skilled at creating repurposed or multiple use space. I, for one, can’t wait to see what you create.

—Robin Washington In the near-term, we should look to maximize the efficiency of parking facilities: Do more with less. Leveraging emerging transportation alternatives (e.g., ride-sharing, car-sharing, bicycling, and e-bikes) can help reduce the demand for parking overall. Use technology to increase shared parking, and reduce the amount of space required per vehicle.

And of course there is a huge need to plan in the near term for major disruptions in the long term.

—Will Baumgardner

To my comment above, I think we have an amazing opportunity to change how people think about transportation. We don’t want them to keep thinking about driving as the only option for getting around. Let’s push people to think about travel from a multimodal standpoint now. Even though we don’t have AVs now, people are rethinking how they travel, and the Ubers and Lyfts are helping set a precedent.

Participating in the discussion with other parties, learnUltimately, I think parking demand is going to decrease ing and watching how the marketspace develops and significantly regardless of what ultimately how customers’ needs are met (especially happens with individual behavior. The as the customers learn about AVs). More Continue this reduced demand creates lots of opportuspecifically, many parking facilities are in key conversation nities for new uses. There are a lot of great geographic urban and campus areas. We will things that can be done in our communities need to evaluate our operating structures, on The Parking with parking lots, on-street parking spaces, practices and prepare plans to support AVs ® Matters Blog and some parking garages. Although my and ride-sharing operations—our goal will (parking.org/blog). impression with parking garages is that evolve to help people move from point A to opportunities are pretty limited. point B. Some of our facilities will have the We want to hear —Matthew Kaufman opportunity to play key roles in supporting your answers to the first or final 1,000 feet of a person’s these questions!

We believe that autonomous vehicles will journey because of AVs. provide significant benefits for motorists —Mike Drow parking.org/tpp

BRETT WOOD, PE, CAPP, is a parking planner with KimleyHorn and chair of IPI’s Parking Research Committee. He can be reached at brett. wood@kimley-horn.

DANIEL DEMOTT is senior software development manager with Xerox Services.

He can be reached at daniel.demott@xerox. com.

FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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Setting L.A.’s Sights on

VISION

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A community comes together to make transportation safer for everyone.

B y N at G a l e

and

J e s s J awo r s k i

A

ccording to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2015 ended a five-decade trend of declining traffic fatalities by showing a 7.2 percent increase over the year 2014. This trend was also seen in the city of Los Angeles, which exhibited one of the highest collision death rates of its peer cities in the country.

In Los Angeles, one person is killed in a traffic collision every two days. Of even greater concern is the fact that 30 percent of these collisions involve people walking or bicycling, young people, and/or the elderly. In fact, traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of five and 14 and the second greatest cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 25 within the city. Enter Mayor Eric Garcetti—in August 2015, he issued Executive Directive Number 10, which formally launched Vision Zero in Los Angeles (visionzero.lacity.org).

Vision Zero is Los Angeles’ commitment to end all traffic deaths by the year 2025. It is a commitment to reversing this alarming trend and making the city a great place in which people can travel safely and securely no matter what mode of transportation they choose. It makes human life the top priority in the design of city streets and identifies strategies for ways the government and members of the public can work to reduce traffic deaths to zero, with a specific focus on the most vulnerable of road users.

The original concept behind Vision Zero comes from Sweden, where it was adopted as a national strategy back in 1997. Since then, Sweden has seen its transportation deaths drop by 30 percent despite a rise in traffic volume.

According to the Vision Zero Network, other cities that have gotten on board with Vision Zero include New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Chicago, San Jose, and San Diego.

Implementation At its core, Vision Zero is a data-driven initiative. Upon formalizing its commitment to zero traffic deaths, Los Angeles went through a rigorous data analysis to identify the places where focused traffic safety efforts will produce the most significant decrease in deaths and serious injuries.

In our collision data, we found there was an over-­ representation of people walking and biking. They account parking.org/tpp

BEFORE

for 15 percent of all collisions but approximately 50 percent of all deaths on the road. Therefore, the city decided to focus on areas that have a higher concentration of deaths and serious injuries for these most vulnerable parts of the population. These identified areas form the High Injury Network (HIN), which is comprised of 386 corridors that represent 6 percent of Los Angeles’ street miles. Sixty-five percent of all deaths and severe injuries involving people walking and biking occur in this part of the city.

While all collisions cannot be prevented, the city is taking steps to implement strategic safety programs and improve infrastructure so mistakes on the road do not lead to loss of life. For example, the installation of a pedestrian scramble at the intersection of Hollywood & Highland (see page 37) has significantly reduced the number of injuries at that intersection. These are the types of projects that will be prioritized going forward.

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The data-driven approach identifies proven methods and solutions to decrease traffic deaths by designing and operating a road system that accounts for human error.

Up Next The next phases of Vision Zero will include what the city likes to call the Es: engineering, enforcement, education, and evaluation. It all starts with engineering to create safe streets for all. This involves rethinking the ways Los Angeles’ streets and sidewalks are designed.

Engineers are working on ways to anticipate human error and minimize the consequences of mistakes on the road. One way is by designing traffic-calming systems that reduce the chances of a death when a collision occurs. Other engineering plans include the installation of lifesaving improvements on the priority corridors and intersections along the HIN, such as optimizing 400 traffic signals and redesigning at least 12 miles of city streets every year to accommodate safe transportation for all.

In addition, the city is also focusing on education.

A large focus of Vision Zero is on raising awareness about street safety for all users of our roads, which is being accomplished through safety campaigns that reinforce safe driving, biking, and walking habits. The city is also partnering with Safe Routes to Schools and the community, especially at the neighborhood level, for both input and outreach. Educational plans include investing $2 million in a comprehensive education campaign that addresses top collision factors such as speeding and insobriety.

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Vision Zero also needs enforcement. Laws against dangerous driving behavior need to be enforced in the areas that have high collision rates to ensure the most vulnerable road users are protected. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) is partnering with the Los Angeles Police Department on this effort, which will target high-crash locations, driving under the influence of alcohol, distracted driving, not yielding to persons in a crosswalk, and other dangerous driving behaviors. These enforcement plans also include an update of 100 percent of the expired speed surveys on the priority corridors by the end of 2017 and an update of all street-design standards to reflect a safe, multimodal city. To further develop a culture of safety, the city also plans to strengthen its relationships with key partners such as the Vision Zero Alliance, local trauma hospitals, the County of Los Angeles, and the American Automobile Association (AAA).

The last step in Los Angeles’ Vision Zero plan is evaluation, which is when the city takes a look at what has been done, what has worked, and what hasn’t and assesses how to improve upon the results. The LADOT is continuously evaluating its efforts to make sure that targets are being reached. It is through this evaluation that Vision Zero will continue to grow, change, and innovate in the years to come.

And throughout all of this, the city strives to ensure that equity and engagement are key parts of every one of its discussions and strategies. Currently, 49 percent of the HIN falls within the most vulnerable communities in the city. Vision Zero has prioritized those interventions that will improve health conditions and outcomes in these

areas of greatest need. The city has also engaged with a diverse group of organizations and individuals. AAA has been a key member of the Vision Zero Task Force and Education Subcommittee. The city also hears from parents, teachers, and principals about safety near schools through the Safe Routes to School program. Several other community-based organizations have also united to form the Los Angeles Vision Zero Alliance, a coalition of diverse organizations and individuals working in partnership with the city of Los Angeles to realize Vision Zero.

Vision Zero at Work While the year 2025 is a long way off, Vision Zero is already changing the face of Los Angeles right now: A pedestrian scramble at Hollywood and Highland. The intersection of Hollywood and Highland is famous for being home to both the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with its concrete handprints and footprints, and the site of the Dolby Theatre, which hosts the Academy Awards every year. It is also extremely congested with both vehicle and foot traffic. This was identified by the city as the perfect place to install a pedestrian scramble. ●●

make pedestrians more visible to drivers and reduce the chances of pedestrian-vehicle conflicts. These signals have been shown to reduce pedestrian-car crashes by 60 percent. As of the end of 2016, Los Angeles had installed 22 of these new signals in the downtown area with plans for more to follow.

Intersection tightening on Cesar Chavez Avenue.

In the initial research phase of Vision Zero, Cesar Chavez Avenue was identified as part of the HIN. Wanting to make safety improvements right away, Los Angeles installed curb extensions. These reduce the distance for pedestrians crossing the streets and also make the crossing with its pedestrians much more visible to motorists. The curb extensions also tighten the intersection, which has been shown to reduce the speed of passing vehicles. ●●

Pedestrian safety project on Yale Street. Yale Street in Chinatown received a makeover from the Bureau of Street Services as a part of the Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan. Street improvements included a raised landscape median, curb extensions, yellow continental crosswalks, ADA-compliant access ramps, roadway striping, and new signage. Raised medians have been credited with up to a 46 percent reduction in vehicle collisions with pedestrians.

Curb extensions are proven to increase perceptions of safety and comfort for people crossing the street. Today, Yale Street provides safer pedestrian access to nearby schools and the Gold Line Light Rail Station. ●●

A pedestrian scramble stops traffic in all four directions when pedestrians are walking in the intersection. When the signal changes, vehicles can make their movements without waiting for people to cross the street. In a broader study, scramble crosswalks have been shown to lead to a 35 percent reduction in vehicular collisions with people walking. In November 2015, a scramble crosswalk was installed at the intersection. In the first 11 months of 2015 before the scramble was installed, the intersection had 19 collisions, 13 of which resulted in injuries. In the first six months after the scramble was installed, there was only one non-injury collision.

Leading pedestrian intervals. Leading pedestrian intervals give people who walk a head start against turning cars when they are crossing a street. They also ●●

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Virgil Avenue safety project. The intersection of Virgil Avenue and Monroe Avenue was also identified as a priority intersection due to a high number of collisions.

In 2014, the traffic lanes were reconfigured to create safe space for all modes of travel. In the two years since the project was installed, there were zero fatal or serious injuries involving a person walking or biking. Roadway reconfigurations such as this can produce up to a 41 percent reduction in pedestrian collisions in problem corridors. ●●

While progress has been made, Los Angeles still has a long way to go to reach its Vision Zero goal. But the city can take hope from its early successes and continue to create safe streets for all, develop culture of safety, and plan for a safer future for all of its residents.

NAT GALE is principal project coordinator with the active transportation division of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. He can be reached at nat. gale@lacity.org.

JESS JAWORSKI works in the active transportation division of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

She can be reached at jessica.jaworsk@ lacity.org.

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A VERY DIFFERENT

By Ziad Tayyem, CAPP

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Preferences, transportation systems, and technology are all changing.

Parking will have to change with them.

OPINION

FUTURE T

he U.S. has close to 1 billion parking spaces, according to some sources. As there are about 257 million passenger cars and light trucks in the U.S., it stands to reason we have about four times more parking spaces than vehicles.

In the 1960s, use of vehicles grew by 42 percent; in the 1980s, use of vehicles grew by only 23 percent. In some cities today, including Atlanta (10 percent) and Houston (15 percent) vehicle use has actually declined.

Millennials are not eager to drive and get their driver’s licenses. Seventy-seven percent are getting their driver’s licenses compared to 79.7 percent of eligible drivers in 2011, 82 percent in 2008, and 91.8 percent in 1983, according to a USA Today report by Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle. Members of this generation are much more likely than their parents to try actively minimize their driving to

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avoid causing environmental damage. They are buying a lot fewer cars than their parents did. Toyota USA President Jim Lentz recently said in a speech, “We have to face the growing reality that today, young people don’t seem to be as interested in cars as previous generations.”

A Shift in Thinking This shift is being driven by social, behavioral, and technological changes. On the social side, people are increasingly opting to live in urban centers where they do not need or want to own a car. They are ride-sharing or using public

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The ability to instantly and in real-time navigate nearly anywhere allows people to track what they can expect from walk, bike, transit, and shared ride trips.

New tools are emerging that focus on managing demand and a renewed interest in alternative travel choices for the work commute. With continued changes in technology that affect both supply and demand for transportation, an entire new set of demand management tools is emerging. As the population grows, its characteristics and preferences are also changing. Factors such as age, culture, income, and place of residence influence travel demand and travel behavior.

Information and communication technology tools have opened up many opportunities to improve transportation by providing navigation, traffic updates, r­ eal-time transit schedules, and access to information on transportation options to and from any location.

Intelligent transportation systems and vehicle-to-­ vehicle communications are developing frameworks

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that use the power of wireless technologies to link and manage transportation networks. The effect of telecommunications on transportation demand is an increased value put on non-commute trips—consider how online banking has reduced or replaced our trips to the bank. When was the last time you went to the bank to deposit a check or placed a stamp on a bill and drove to the post office?

Sharing Information Most TDM programs provide access to their information and services online and, in some cases, on a mobile application for smartphones and other wireless devices.

Smartphones offer new opportunities for real-time demand management by providing easy and instant access to navigation, weather and traffic updates, real-time transit schedules, ride-matching services, and access to information about transportation options at and from any location. Using these tools, people can easily identify the best route to schedule their travel even if they’ve never owned a vehicle.

In addition to leveraging technology to update traditional TDM programs, private companies and startups are exploring new transportation tools and services that are enabled by new technology and by the proliferation of internet and mobile devices.

GPS technology allows for comprehensive tracking and sharing of location and route information. This information is used to adjust routes, departure times, and destinations, leading to shorter trip times. The ability to instantly and in real time navigate nearly anywhere allows people to track what they can expect from walk, bike, transit, and shared ride trips.

Advanced TDM apps such as Metropia are designed to give incentives to travelers and change their travel behavior in real time. Using an algorithm to analyze historical and real-time travel data, Metropia predicts future travel conditions to determine where additional capacity exists.

New Tools New tools are also being used to address real concerns about transit convenience, reliability, and safety. One of the most important strategies to improve public transit service is the provision of real-time wait time information at transit stops and stations across the country. This information is also offered via the internet, cellphones, and trip planners that help people find and choose the best routes.

Privately held companies are combining new technologies with traditional bus services to serve people who may not be able to easily take advantage of existing public transit service and routes. Consider Bridj, a new transportation service and data-driven express shuttle

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transit and using other transportation demand management (TDM) programs that have reduced their use of single-occupancy private vehicles.

TDM has expanded and continues to expand to include teleworking or telecommuting via the use of home computers, smartphones, and mobile devices to enable people to work from home while maintaining contact with family, colleagues, and customers. Teleworking or telecommuting and other creative work scheduling options are becoming essential for companies to attract and retain talented employees. Companies and employees alike find benefits in teleworking from a productivity aspect to employee retention aspect, and for keeping overhead costs low.

network in Boston; Washington, D.C., and Kansas City, Mo., that provides dynamic, flexible travel. The company designs routes based on user information to determine the location of fixed stops and come up with schedules that best serve the users. The shuttles are intended to fill gaps in traditional transit service with competitive rates in an efficient manner.

Furthermore, private employers have led efforts to provide transportation service to their employees. Companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, and Genentech offer shuttles equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to facilitate productive work environment while in transit to the offices. The high-tech employers provide the service as amenities along with storage for bicycles, rides home, car- and bike-share programs, intercampus shuttles, and transit subsidies.

Millennials enjoy all these transportation option services, which are expected to have a large effect on transportation trends in the U.S. Part of this influence stems from the fact that this group will be the dominant group in the working age of the U.S. population.

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Going Driverless Technological changes are occurring faster than we can adapt to them; consider autonomous vehicles. These computers-on-wheels will soon hit a state highway near you.

Google’s models have traveled more than 1 million miles, and experts expect that fully autonomous vehicles will hit the consumer market as soon as five years from now.

Car technology is advancing so rapidly that it’s causing an economic shift. Already, companies such as Uber and Lyft are developing cars that can drive themselves. After all, fleets of those could bustle around, picking people up and dropping them off, working with utmost efficiency.

With perfect computerized knowledge of where potential riders are, they could pick up several people heading the same way, optimizing ride-sharing on the fly.

Partial autonomy is already here and has arrived much sooner than anyone has expected. By the end of this year, GM is expected to launch the semiautonomous Super Cruiser feature that allows for hands-free driving in its Cadillac CT6. Ford vehicles feature more than 30 options for semiautonomous features, including brakes, and the company is aggressively working on vehicles that fully drive themselves. This year, Ford expects to have the largest fleet of autonomous test vehicles of any automaker.

Cheap sensors, powerful machine-learning technology, and aggressive competition are pushing these developments to become reality sooner than we think.

Automakers, technology companies, and ambitious startups agree that this transformation is inevitable.

There are fears out there, though, that include privacy issues, ethical questions, infrastructure challenges, and concerns about lost jobs. Those issues will be worked parking.org/tpp

Cheap sensors, powerful machine-learning technology, and aggressive competition are pushing these developments to become reality sooner than we think.

Automakers, technology companies, and ambitious startups agree that this transformation is inevitable.

out as people realize how many lives can be saved with the new technology; vehicle accidents have caused more than 1 million deaths and 15 million injuries each year globally, and more than 90 percent of those accidents were caused by human errors.

Besides saving lives, there is money to be saved from traffic accidents and benefits to be gained, such as turning parking garages into green spaces and community centers, increasing productivity by allowing commuters to work in transit, and offering truckers the ability to sleep without pulling over.

Driverless vehicles are in a position to pressure the $570 billion spent on vehicles in the U.S. Auto companies now must compete with Silicon Valley in the business of ride-hailing apps, 3-D maps, and fully computerized vehicles. They are no longer only automotive companies but have been forced to grow into mobility companies.

Self-driving vehicles will be a little scary to the average driver, but their fear will dissipate once the technology is experienced in person—just like past resistance to seatbelts, airbags, antilock brakes, cruise control, and even automatic transmission.

Other institutions and governing agencies will adapt to this new era to include interstate cooperation, regulatory approvals, parking institutions, insurance providers, and dealerships.

Ten years ago, self-driving car prototypes could barely drive 10 miles across a relatively uncluttered space. Now they are weaving through traffic in Silicon Valley, Calif.; Austin, Texas; and Pittsburgh, Pa. At the University of Texas-Austin, Dr. Kara Kockelman, a professor of transportation engineering, modeled the impact of autonomous ride-sharing vehicles and found that each one could replace up to a dozen regular vehicles. The autonomous vehicles could drive all day, stopping only to refuel or for maintenance.

It’s all coming. Are you ready?

ZIAD TAYYEM, CAPP, is assistant manager of the parking business unit at Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport.

He can be reached at ztayyem@dfwairport. com.

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OPINION

FIVE forRULES Revenue Control Success

By Pierre Koudelka

Looking for the best ways to ensure revenue stays where it belongs?

A seasoned parking pro offers his top five rules to make it happen.

T

Great improvements have been made in revenue control during the past decades, especially because of credit card acceptance, but parking in many cases is still very much a cash business. Therein lies a temptation for some employees, quite frankly, to skim, which does unfortunately occur in businesses that deal with cash.

Avoiding Issues Not uncommonly it seems, we hear about some scandal hitting a large parking operation—airports get most of the scrutiny as they collect the most revenue. Reporters love a good story that relates to a visible community enterprise the readership can identify with (and it’s not always parking by any means—dishonesty doesn’t discriminate by business line). The headlines always read “Millions Lost,” and someone always get fired and maybe sent to jail. After a few weeks, the scandal dies down. You would think that airports would have the best systems in place,

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and they often do, but it’s a people-driven business so things happen.

Going forward, such organizations sometimes decide to hire a new firm to run the operation, and new parking and revenue control equipment is purchased as a sign of a bold, decisive action. This strategy always seems to satisfy the onlookers as revenues go up again, and within a short span, it is business as usual.

What most don’t realize is that despite the fact that the letterhead of the new firm running garage operations may have changed, they often hire the same workers and cashiers who worked there before. They just now wear new T-shirts and logos. It’s not always the best move. If any follow-up is ever done by the local paper, usually they’ll see some revenue improvements that are credited to new management and equipment.

Everyone is happy until the same thing happens again years down the road.

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here are five cardinal rules to good parking revenue control that have always worked for me. As with many endeavors, there are many rules to running a good parking enterprise. At first blush, my top five seem simple enough, but they need to be kept top of mind as garage owners and directors face important decisions—those that are not easily made but can dictate success or failure when it comes to money staying where it belongs.

What folks don’t always appreciate is that whenever you change management firms or revenue control equipment—at least in virtually all the cases I have studied— you almost always see an automatic boost in incoming revenue. After a few years, revenue again begins to drop off little by little. There could be a good many reasons for that, but I’ll simplify it for the sake of this article. After a big skimming incident in any industry, employees lie low, and it takes time for them to understand the new systems, its safeguards, and the new firm’s procedures.

Despite everyone’s best efforts, the cycle seems to repeat itself over and over, until someone gets caught once again and the reporters come in once again with their headlines. Honestly, I have seen this scenario play out over and over these past 45 years in parking and many other businesses.

To the industry’s credit, parking managers dedicate themselves to keeping financial hanky-panky to a minimum, but someone somewhere will always try to bolster his or her retirement fund under the table.

How can parking do a better job in this area? Here are my five simple cardinal rules for keeping your revenue where it belongs.

Rule 1: Hire an Expert

My first rule is to always employ the help of an outside expert with a solid track record to design the building and make revenue and security control recommendations. Have him or her write the specifications after they have studied your needs. Make absolutely sure he or she has exceptional parking credentials—a run-of-the-mill engineering or architect group will not do. That’s not to say that your existing parking employees or firm can’t make some suggestions in the process. But never allow the entity that will run the garage to make all the system recommendations.

This rule is followed in all security-type agencies no matter what industry they’re in: Always hire an outside entity with no vested interests in any future running of your facility to design the security systems. That certainly applies to parking revenue control.

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Rule 2: Invest in the Best

The second rule is to buy the best parking and revenue control system you can possibly afford. Apply that principle to people, too. Buying cheap is always a big mistake, although it may not seem that way at first. The simple fact is it will cost you far more in the long run in so many ways if you buy merely on price. Quality in all areas is so important. Vendors today are all very different, so take the time to choose wisely.

Look particularly carefully at software. Always compare to be sure you’re not going to be stuck with a closed-in system. You want to easily merge new applications when they come out. Also make sure that the software is simple parking.org/tpp

to use and can be well maintained locally. If it takes too many steps or too much manipulating and merging of reports to accomplish something, your staff will be inclined not to use it even if you paid a lot for that option. A single keystroke is always favored if not always possible.

Rule 3: Switch it Up

The third rule: Try and hire a different firm to run your parking operation every three years. I know this is difficult.

Friendships develop, contracts have to be renegotiated, and making a change based on the calendar seems like a big unnecessary pain. But the facts support that whenever you change major factors, be it management firm or control equipment, there is always a substantial spike in revenue—always. Also, with a new firm comes new ideas and approaches that can stimulate one’s business model. Call it complacency or whatever, but long-term contacts are not always to your favor in my experience.

Rule 4: Never Settle

Never settle down and get comfortable, no matter how good you think your operation is. Improvements are always possible. For that matter, never think you’re running a flawless operation.

Never completely turn over your parking operation to someone else. You always need to maintain an eye or finger on the operation. This is not easy for large-scale owners or developers, but checks and balances need to be enforced. Always challenge your staff for ideas all the way through the operation. Never let someone talk you into the status quo—that’s when trouble starts.

Rule 5: Audit

Rule five is to employ the services of a well-known outside auditing firm that specializes in parking to periodically examine your operation in all its facets, even if it takes guys decked out in black commando outfits taking videos at night. In my experience, they always find something useful and are worth every penny you’ll invest. Such firms can improve efficiencies.

They always find and plug holes that improve margins.

They will consistently give you ideas on improving things.

An Extra Rule: Common Sense

This rule is less a rule and more an observation so I don’t count it as a cardinal rule. Still, if you see an employee drive up to work in a Rolls Royce, it should tip you off that you might have a problem that requires immediate attention. Don’t think this doesn’t happen. These folks, after awhile, can become quite brazen.

I hope you’ll keep these five rules in mind throughout your career in parking. They will help. I extend the very best of luck on your next project.

PIERRE KOUDELKA has 45 years of parking experience globally as a leading manufacturer, parking consultant, and author. He can be reached at jean. pierre.koudelka@ gmail.com.

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Why implementing true customer service can be more valuable than giveaways or other campaigns.

SERVICE OPINION

OR

MARK

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By Joseph A. Ryan, CAPP

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any articles about customer service have been published in parking publications.

Some of these are written from the private operator’s perspective and recommend providing the customer with things such as free newspapers, beverages and snacks, movie passes, and other tangible perks that can be budgeted for and quantified.

In my experience, employing these types of c­ ustomer-service strategies in the municipal parking world is exceptionally challenging because of tight budgets, slim profit margins, and the ever-watchful eye of the public and media seeking to root out (real or perceived) mismanagement of public funds. Is it possible to provide good customer service that results in satisfaction and return business without adding line items to the budget?

ETING? parking.org/tpp

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as a hotel guest and provided her with a pre-paid voucher to exit in satisfaction at some level, how likely is the morning.

The next day, as Jane was leaving it that a customer who has received a the garage, she arrived at the booth around 7:15. The window was open modest freebie but had a generally poor a bit, and she could hear someone holding a heated telephone conparking experience will return? versation. After a minute or so, a seemingly bodiless arm with an open hand popped out the window. Jane gingerly placed her parking voucher in the hand. A loud, exasperated sigh spewed from the window along with “$9.95,” and then the voice went back to the phone conversation.

Jane said, “Excuse me, I’m a hotel guest. They said that voucher would cover daily parking.” “Hang on,” she heard the attendant tell her caller. The window opened a few inches farther, and the attendant said, while taking a bite of breakfast burrito, that the voucher only covered the night before and as it was now after 7 a.m., Customer Service Jane would have to pay for today separately.

The Oxford Dictionary defines Jane asked where that policy was written, and the customer service as “the assistance and attendant pointed to a peeling, partially legible sign advice provided by a company to those peo- that may have indicated parking rates and times. “I ple who buy or use its products or services.” The can’t even read that,” Jane said, to which the attendant business dictionary defines marketing strategy as “an responded, “Well, you’d better learn to read if you are organization’s strategy that combines all of its marketing going to drive.” goals into one comprehensive plan. A good marketing Exasperated, offended, and now almost late for her strategy should be drawn from market research and meeting, Jane paid with a $10 bill. The attendant rolled focus on the right product mix in order to achieve the her eyes and said she had no change and was unable to maximum profit potential and sustain the business.” From provide a receipt per Jane’s request because the machine that standpoint, one might just argue that comping movie was down. Jane headed for her meeting and vowed to tickets and the like is no more than a marketing ploy park on the street the next night. and does not really add to the service offered (providing Jane arrived at her meeting location about 20 safe, efficient, affordable parking). While giveaways may minutes later. The city was already bustling, and improve customer satisfaction at some level, how likely there was no visible on-street parking available at is it that a customer who has received a modest freebie her destination. She spotted a garage across from but had a generally poor parking experience will return? the office and took a deep breath as she pulled in.

The garage was freshly painted and brightly lit, and Good, Bad, and Non-Existent she immediately noticed several signs guiding her to Jane recently went on a business trip. She opted to drive the floors used by her company. She proceeded to the as her meeting was only a few hours away from home. designated floor and found a spot. As she entered the As she was in a strange town, Jane had no prior expe- vestibule to a pedestrian walk to her building and an rience or preconceived notions regarding the parking elevator, she was greeted by a staff member wearing she was about to use. the parking company logo. The staff member made On the evening of her arrival, around 8 p.m., Jane eye contact, smiled, and asked if Jane needed help parked in a garage linked to her hotel and several ad- finding her destination. Jane thanked the attendant joining office buildings. She noted very little in the way and explained her meeting was just across the walkof signage apart from that announcing to take a ticket way in the next building. Waving and smiling, the and that the garage was only staffed between 7 a.m. and parking professional said, “Have a nice day!” Jane 6 p.m. After some wandering, Jane found her way into smiled and proceeded to her meeting in an improved the hotel. The clerk explained her parking rate per day frame of mind.

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While giveaways may improve customer

Upon exiting the garage that afternoon, Jane drove to the exit booth. Jane was perplexed at first as there was no one at the exit. She spotted the clear instructions on the payment machine and slipped her company-issued voucher into the slot; a receipt was automatically produced, and the gate lifted. From the corner of her eye, Jane could see the staffer she met earlier keeping a watchful eye on the exit. She waved as Jane pulled away. Jane headed on her way without a second thought about parking.

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Employee Interaction Clearly, Jane had a mixed experience with parking staff during her busy day. The hotel garage was unmanned, which would have been fine had there been clear instructions and if the hotel staff members were aware of the contract with the garage and able to communicate it clearly. None of this seemed to be true, which set Jane up for a frustrating morning, topped only by being forced to deal with a distracted, somewhat hostile booth worker who was more interested in her phone conversation than her customers. Jane ended up paying for something she likely shouldn’t have and departed already late for her meeting, frustrated and confused.

The second parking attendant, who was not in a booth but actively walking around in the garage, was friendly, made eye contact, smiled, and offered assistance and direction. She was available if help was needed and present in the moment for her customers. One could argue that the first staff member actually did more for the customer, but the second left the customer satisfied with a near flawless experience. Neither garage offered any extras, but they would likely not have changed Jane’s overall impression of each garage and its staff.

The employees’ interaction with the customer was what lingered in her memory.

Today’s is a new world of electronic networking.

Listening skills and polite conversation are quickly becoming a lost art. For many millennials, until this job, must of their interactions with people consisted of staring at a screen and waiting for the device to vibrate or beep indicating a response had been received. Body language is no longer 90 percent of communication. Even if those communicating are in the same room, chances are they are not looking at one another. We use emojis and punctuation instead of facial expression and body language in an attempt to express context.

Employers Take Action Running a successful parking enterprise does not require high-dollar marketing schemes. Good customer service is really not that difficult, nor should it be expensive. parking.org/tpp

The second parking attendant, who was not in a booth but actively walking around in the garage, was friendly, made eye contact, smiled, and offered assistance and direction.

Customers are mostly looking for a clean, safe place to park their cars. Although it’s not free, keeping your property clean and well-maintained is a cost of doing good business and should be a tenet of your practice.

Ensure signage is consistent and correct. Provide adequate lighting and replace failing fixtures and bulbs.

Ensure all gates and equipment are maintained and in working order. As obvious as all this seems, think about it for a second. When you get complaints, what are they about? If it is something simple, fix it!

Finally and most importantly, work with your staff.

Parking staff is the face of your business—the only people with whom 95 percent of your customers come in contact. Hire them with the expectations that they are there to serve. Lead by example. Treat them the way you want them to treat and speak to the customer. Smile.

Use proper grammar. Be patient. Listen. New workers are often great multitaskers; challenge them to do more than just man the booth. Teach them to make eye contact, be friendly, say “good morning” and “thank you.” Give them a clear chain of command and reward them for a job well done. Make an example of those who strive for customer service by keeping them in mind when lead/management positions become available. Give thanks or great-job notes with small treats when you catch them in the act of doing something good. Positive reinforcement is a wonderful motivator.

Our attention to these smaller, intangible moments will set our operations apart from the everyday and mundane. Our focus on the fast, friendly, courteous interactions between employees and customers will manifest in positive feelings and garner additional customers through word of mouth.

JOSEPH A. RYAN, CAPP, is director of off-street parking at the Kiel Center Parking Facility in St. Louis, Mo. He can be reached at ryanj@ stlouis-mo.gov.

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IPI IN ACTION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AN INSTRUCTOR-LED CLASS FROM YOUR DESK

By Kathleen Federici, MEd

O

ur newest journey with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has led IPI into creating a new mode of training. IPI is a USGBC Education Partner.

Having this opportunity has afforded IPI the chance to hear from many people around the world regarding training needs. I have received phone calls and emails regarding different perspectives on training and what various training budgets would accommodate. This has led IPI to create our newest delivery platform for offering training and education.

A New Mix

KATHLEEN FEDERICI, MEd, is IPI’s director of professional development. She can be reached at federici@parking.org.

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IPI’s newest training delivery option is a blend of the two types of classes traditionally offered. This is an online class that can be completed at your desk anywhere you have internet access, but a live instructor presents the class on a specified date and time, just like a face-to-face training. IPI debuted this new format during January’s Parksmart Advisor certificate class.

The online, instructor-led Parksmart Advisor certificate class mimics the content of the traditional face-toface class, but the content is chunked into four required online class days. Once registered for this class, the learner will gain access into IPI’s online platform. Upon logging into the platform, the learner will be greeted with a countdown clock to his or her course start time, a welcome video guiding him or her through the course technology experience, a syllabus, and an opening forum question to introduce himself or herself to their instructor and classmates.

INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

This is a unique blend of the networking and personable interactions a face-to-face training opportunity allows but without any travel. This class format includes a training materials section where the learner can download the in-class exercises. There is a forum that allows for planned course discussions, as well as interaction among the learners.

Each learner can start his or her own forum question and pose it to classmates, as well as build upon and answer other classmates’ questions. Each learner has the option to reply to other questions or comments, start a discussion thread, and indicate the importance of questions. This is also the place where the learner will answer planned class questions from the syllabus.

Showing Face Learners can be visible to one another if a webcam is an option. Many people shy away from this in an online environment so it is not mandatory. The instructor also has the same option to be visible to the students. Having visibility will add to the interactivity and learning elements that this class structure offers. Each class can determine if this type of visibility is comfortable for them.

If the learner would like to upload a document for review or turn in the final assessment, he or she has the ability to communicate and hand in assignments to the instructor. There is an upload section in the course that allows for documents to be passed from learner to instructor and vice versa.

IPI is very excited to debut this new training delivery mode! Be on the lookout for more courses using this blended style of online and face-to-face training.

ISTOCK

IPI has traditionally offered two types of classes: online and face-to-face. IPI offers online learning that allows parking professionals to take courses at their convenience right at their desks. The course software allows you to start and stop the course at your leisure and pick up the course exactly where you left off the next time you log in. There is a six-month time frame allotted to complete each course purchased.

IPI also offers face-to-face training. This is where you register for the course that is held at a certain location at a designated time. Usually, travel is involved to get to the face-to-face location.

VISUALIZE YOUR SUCCESS: NEW WAYS TO EARN

OR MAINTAIN

YOUR CAPP CREDENTIAL New CAPP Resource Guide and sample CAPP exam questions available today at parking.org!

Have you considered earning your CAPP? It’s the world’s leading credential in parking and a pathway to personal accomplishment and career opportunities.

Good news: It’s now more convenient to prepare for the CAPP credential and find an exam testing center near you.

Take the first step. Start here: parking.org/CAPP

CAPP is a rigorous certification program that covers seven topic areas: I. General Knowledge II. General Management III. Operations Management IV. Financial and Operational Auditing V. Federal, State, and Local Laws VI. Marketing and Public Relations VII. Analysis and Application of Technology

STATE & REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT BEST PRACTICES

STATE & REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS’ BEST PRACTICES

S

tate and regional parking associations were once called “the heartbeat of IPI”

by State and Regional Committee Co-Chairs Bridgette Brady, CAPP, and David Onorato, CAPP, so it’s no wonder IPI’s State and Regional Association (SRA) Committee’s best practices are featured in this issue of The Parking Professional.

These best practices showcase effective ways state and regional associations can be successful and productive, sometimes while having fun doing it! IPI is pleased to share these updates and best practices as formulated by some of the most respected professionals in the parking profession.

Carolinas Parking Association The Carolinas Parking Association (CPA) offers many benefits, including cost-effective IPI training sessions throughout the Carolinas for frontline employees. Training sessions are offered frequently throughout the year and focus on tactical communication, conflict resolution, and other development subjects.

Each year, CPA presents an opportunity for membership municipalities, vendors, universities, counties, and other organizations to participate in its Awards in Excellence program. This program consists of four categories modeled after IPI’s program: new facility design; parking structure renovation and rehabilitation; most innovative/efficient operation; and marketing of a parking program system.

Keep an eye out for the launch of CPA’s newsletter, which will highlight members, conference updates and news, and award winners. carolinasparking.org

California Public Parking Association The California Public Parking Association (CPPA) was founded in 1986 when two cities felt a larger group of agencies would have a better collective effect on legislation to better their organizations. CPPA advances the public parking profession in California by providing a forum for its members to interact, exchange ideas and information, and provide technical and legislative support. Offerings include regional workshops and meetings four times a year in various locations, training programs that consist of webinars and an online webinar library, a monthly newsletter that includes legislation updates and consulting insights, RFP and job postings, full-time lobbyist services, and a periodic legislative digest that summarizes active legislation being tracked, supported, or opposed. cppaparking.org

Mid-Atlantic Parking Association

Cindy Campbell presenting an IPI Tactical Communication Training Session at NC State University in Raleigh, N.C.

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INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

To better serve the Mid-­Atlantic Parking Association (MAPA) membership and the many other parking industry entities in the Mid-Atlantic region, MAPA has developed its own unique best practice for its annual conference. MAPA follows a one-day conference format that’s offered at an unusually low price for both members and non-members.

Registration includes a full day of meals, education, networking, and an opportunity to view the exhibits in the tradeshow. Exhibit space is also offered at a low rate and includes admission for two people to attend the full day

Municipal discussions focus on special-event parking, enforcement challenges, use of license plate recognition technology, and many other exciting topics. University discussions focus on topics such as event operations on campus and their coordination, transit on campus and its importance, and communication and marketing to students.

Surveys show these sessions are the most important part of the conference for some MSTPA members. The peer interaction and smaller groups make it easier for many to participate and feel more comfortable than in larger sessions. mstpa.org

The New England Parking Council

MAPA Conference of conference and exhibition. The conference attracts upwards of 125 attendees and 25 exhibitors.

In October, MAPA hosted an FBI special agent from the Baltimore, Md., office to present what to do and what parking professionals need to know in an active shooter situation. This session was so well received that it is being developed into a full day of training to be offered in spring 2017. midatlanticparkingassociation.org

Mid South Transportation & Parking Association During its conference, the Mid South Transportation & Parking Association (MSTPA) facilitates the popular, informative, and engaging Municipal Shop Talk and University Shop Talk. Led by board members, expert insight is at the forefront of the discussions and attracts a good turnout. Attendees gain value through participation in the discussion and are given the chance to ask specific questions. parking.org/tpp

The New England Parking Council (NEPC) board of directors proudly delivers multiple creative options for its membership to network and learn about parking and transportation issues in the region and industry. They also provide ways to be involved with many projects and committees.

NEPC hosts events such as the Charity Golf Tournament in September that collected more than $10,000 for the Flutie Foundation to benefit families of children with autism. Other events include the Mobility, Analytics, and Customer Service Municipal Forum at Union Station, where thinking outside of the box led to the repurpose of the railroad station for a gathering of more than 75 regional parking and transportation professionals.

Captivating presentations reflected industry analytics and policies; topics included connected trips, dynamic pricing/smart city, and the future of parking/maximizing parking real estate and analytics for urban mobility.

This year’s events include The Hospital Forum and NEPC’s Annual Conference in April in Boston, Mass.

Stay tuned for updates and the launch of NEPC’s new interactive and mobile-friendly website. newenglandparkingcouncil.org

New York State Parking Association The New York State Parking Association (NYSPA) puts on three shows each year, the second of which demonstrates a best practice for state and regional associations to consider. It is NSYPA’s least formal of the three events and provides a casual environment that’s geared toward enhanced networking and team building.

This year, NYSPA will host its 10th Summer Retreat at historic Hinerwadel’s in central New York. Ties, FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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NYSPA

slacks, and fancy blouses are traded in for shorts, capris and polo shirts. Plated lunches are replaced with items straight from the grill!

The Meeting of the Minds session provides an education component and consists of short presentations followed by Q&A. Speakers subsequently facilitate picnic table conversations for those interested in expanding on the subject matter. A team building facilitator brings fresh ideas and activities to engage and connect more than 120 attendees.

Attendees include a mix of frontline customer service reps, enforcement officers, and booth attendants, along with seasoned professionals. Some organizations register up to 10 members of their teams, allowing for a dynamic that engages professionals at all levels within the industry and creates opportunity for organizations to meet, learn, and grow. nyspa.net

Recognizing that the preparation and direct involvement in these activities are performed by PPA volunteers, the organization has found success in opportunities to enhance the growth and sustainability of state and regional associations. Board members acting in cooperation with staff member Dawn Marti have capitalized on several of these opportunities by marketing PPA events on parking.org and through blogging, email marketing, and participating in events such as Thirty Minutes of Education.

Member enthusiasm for the opportunity to network was demonstrated by attendance at the recent Howl at the Moon event and the Cheese Steak Challenge in Philadelphia. While tasting and ranking cheese steaks from different vendors, attendees learned the value of properly ordering a Philly cheesesteak as not to cause havoc in the line. paparking.org

Pennsylvania Parking Association The Pennsylvania Parking Association’s (PPA’s) response to the challenges faced in 2016 has placed it on firm ground to continue to progress in the new year. PPA’s reach spans the state as participants from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Erie, Lancaster, Easton, and State College actively represent municipalities, universities, vendors, and operators in these locations.

The year’s expansion was matched by unprecedented levels of member involvement. Led by a rise in membership, 2016 produced increases in conference and spring training attendance, as well as increased participation by vendors.

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INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

Texas Parking & Transportation Association Inspiring, educating, and leading parking professionals is the mission of the Texas Parking & Transportation Association (TPTA), which works to accomplish this through quarterly roundtables held in different cities and surrounding states.

Roundtables are free, day-long education sessions open to anyone. The goal is to be a resource to TPTA members, and the benefit is the introduction of the association to non-members.

Florida Parking Association The Florida Parking Association (FPA) develops a theme for its annual conference and trade show, held the week after Thanksgiving each year. The Association forms a conference volunteer committee that is passionate about the association and has a creative personality. Committee calls begin early in the year to get the creative juices flowing to help develop the theme for the year. Themes are developed by looking at what the area of the venue offers in relation to some aspect of parking. The committee continues its calls every six weeks to work on the theme, along with conference logo materials, ambassador shirts, door prizes, networking, and staffing an FPA fun booth.

Members design an ambassador card that is placed in the conference bags and introduces committee members and what they do during the conference.

This year, the theme was the “Magical World of Parking,” as the conference was held in Orlando. All materials, advertisement, and references to the conference were designed to incorporate magic, complete with nightly magicians and a magical introduction to opening of the vendor hall. flparking.org

Parking Association of the Virginias

Florida Parking Association Roundtable sessions cover hot topics in the industry, including technology, customer service, and sustainability.

There is no shortage of expert speakers in the ranks of the TPTA. Some roundtables include IPI’s well-received customer service training for frontline staff; they also include a network mixer the night before that gives colleagues a chance to catch up with old friends and an opportunity to make new connections.

While the Annual Conference & Tradeshow is a vital event that draws from across the state, the TPTA board recognizes that not all staff members from member organizations can attend every conference. The roundtable is an effort to bring the TPTA to the local teams and provide a benefit for their membership, introduce TPTA to new members, and create a collaborative regional organization in which best practices and lessons learned can be shared. texasparking.org parking.org/tpp

One of the Parking Association of the Virginias’ (PAV’s) favorite practices for its semi-annual conferences includes customer-service training for frontline personnel, who are prone to high rates of employee turnover. The conferences and training are held in various locations across the state, allowing training access at a reasonable cost to all PAV membership organizations. Because travel distances are reduced or eliminated, PAV experiences high turnouts for this training. It is a useful tool for our organizations to build a sustainable, high-functioning customer service program and retain a positive image and overall parking experience with their customer base and communities. bit.ly/PAVparking Visit parking.org to stay informed about SRA Committee members, events, and updates. Refer to the calendar regularly for regional conferences, Thirty Minutes of Education sessions, and other SRA Committee happenings.

Be sure to visit the events calendar at parking.org or at the back of this issue for a snapshot of what’s coming up.

FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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COMMUNITY DIGEST

TOWNE PARK ACQUIRES M.V.P. SERVICES TOWNE PARK recently announced that it has acquired M.V.P.

DaRK CAPITAL’S OMNIPARK HIRES TAMMY HALVORSON

T

AMMY HALVORSON recently joined OmniPark as strategic sales manager for the Western U.S. and Canada.

Previously, she was the regional sales manager at T2 Systems, where she represented the PARCS and VCS product lines.

Prior to working for T2 Systems, she spent 22 years at Diamond Parking. She started as a valet in its Spokane, Wash., locations and progressed over the years to regional vice president, overseeing operations in Utah, Oregon, and southern Idaho.

Halvorson’s past experience will bring great value to ­OmniPark’s customers and strategic partners. With her vast parking operations knowledge, she thoroughly understands operational issues clients deal with on a daily basis and how to optimize parking operations through the use of technology.

She will be able to assist her clients finding solutions to help customers be more productive, maximize their profitability and operational efficiency, and demonstrate the overall ROI of OmniPark Solutions and Services.

TRAFFIC SAFETY STORE INTRODUCES GREEN PARKING BLOCKS THE TRAFFIC SAFETY STORE has launched a line of green parking blocks designed to be used at electric vehicle (EV) parking spaces. Their green color matches the shade of green that symbolizes recycling, and they are made from 100 percent recycled HDPE plastic—the same plastic used in milk jugs and refillable plastic bottles.

The blocks were designed with EV charging in mind and easily differentiate EV spaces from other spaces in a lot or garage simply by their color.

Services, a leading valet service company in Cleveland, Ohio.

M.V.P. is the valet of choice for many of Cleveland’s entertainment districts and leading hotels.

The deal combines M.V.P.’s strong local market and customer experience expertise with Towne Park’s scale, resources, and diverse service offerings.

“We are very pleased to join with M.V.P. and bring to their clients our broader offering of leading services,” says Towne Park President and Chief Executive Officer Chuck Heskett. “We look forward to continuing to drive success—on a much larger scale.”

“Towne Park is the industry gold standard; I couldn’t be prouder as we join them to help businesses build better customer experiences and enhance their brands,” says M.V.P. President and Chief Executive Officer Tyler Lombardo. “And I couldn’t be more excited about the tremendous career opportunities our associates now have with Towne Park as it continues expanding rapidly nationwide.”

“Through M.V.P., we strengthen our No. 1 position in the region, which we have built in just two years,” adds Heskett.

Towne Park provides health care and hospitality services to a number of state-of-the art hospitals and global luxury hotel brands in Cleveland, including the Cleveland Clinic, the Westin Cleveland Downtown, the Intercontinental Cleveland, and the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.

ZIPPARK CHOSEN FOR JACKSON HOLE

Z

IPPARK, INC., has successfully installed its event parking management hardware and software in the Jackson Hole mountain range for the Teton Village Association.

ZipPark’s latest event parking hardware and software, which

is currently being used by the Kentucky Fairgrounds, focuses its strength by being quick and reliable. Reliability is especially important to the Teton Village Association during peak season. On average, Jackson Hole’s mountain range experiences temperatures between 33 and 6 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Teton Village Association will use ZipPark’s newest ­Android-based handheld, the Zebra TC55, which has a built-in 2-D barcode scanner. The handheld, paired with the Zebra ZQ510 printer, runs ZipPark’s Android-based software, which works quickly and effectively to allow tenants to enjoy the slopes for as long as possible.

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INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

LAZ PARKING PARTNERS WITH ADVANCE REALTY IN NEW JERSEY LAZ PARKING RECENTLY PARTNERED with Advance Realty to bring a best-in-class public parking facility to Harlow Hoboken, a new 140-unit luxury rental residence located on the corner of 14th Street and Willow Avenue in Hoboken, N.J. The 363-space garage is open 24/7 and features elevator access to the street level, where a new Trader Joe’s is slated to open in early 2017. It also comes complete with the latest in parking technology, including automated entry and exit, electric car charging stations and the Park Eyes customer guidance system, which allows guests to find their spaces easily and efficiently.

By adding much-needed parking to the rapidly transforming neighborhood, LAZ and the Harlow Hoboken residences are helping to bring added style, amenities, and convenience to the heart of Hoboken.

“In a city teeming with first-class restaurants, nightlife, and other attractions, more parking is always a welcome sight,” says Cristian DeLeon Jr., LAZ Parking regional director. “We are excited to bring this new technology to the Harlow Hoboken, where our customers can see just how convenient and secure the parking experience can be.”

“Harlow offers our residents the finest in luxury apartment living, and safe, secure, and convenient parking is an integral part of what makes our building a one-of-a-kind experience,” says Peter J. Cocoziello, president and CEO of Advance Realty. “We are proud to team with LAZ to bring this dynamic asset to not just our renters, but all residents and visitors to the city of Hoboken.”

FULHAM INTRODUCES ENERGYEFFICIENT LED HIGH BAY RETROFIT KIT

F

ULHAM CO., INC. RELEASED its new LED High Bay Retrofit Kit designed specifically for use in any building where 400W HID high bay lighting is traditionally used. The new LED High Bay Retrofit Kit includes an LED driver, lens, and the newly released 300W ­Surface-Mount LED DC Module to deliver energy-savings illumination in a programmable design.

This kit is DLC listed and UL classified for field installations and can qualify for many utility rebate programs.

The LED High Bay Retrofit kit is suitable for both high bay and low bay installations and can fit any acrylic refractor with a diameter of 10 to 10.75 inches. The surface-mount LED driver is rated for 120V to 277V applications and consumes substantially less power, even 20 percent less than conventional

parking.org/tpp

LEDs while delivering the same brightness. There also is a built-in heat sink for integrated thermal management.

Field installation can be made in five to 10 minutes with four-point installation.

“Low power requirements and long operating life make LEDs ideal for high bay applications,” says Edwin Reyes, product director of LED light sources for Fulham.

“Our new LED High Bay Retrofit Kit also features the latest surface-mount LED chip package and driver for programmable power efficiency. This Retrofit Kit is perfect for any industrial setting, and the LEDs can be tuned for optimal illumination, as well as low-power performance. The thermal feedback feature between driver and module allows for best reliability in the industry.”

• Proven performance (since 1958) • Collect unpaid fines • Models for all applications • Parking enforcement • Anti-theft applications Prevent wheel damage!

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FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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COMMUNITY DIGEST

PORSCHE PANAMERA DEBUTS WITH INRIX OFF-STREET PARKING AND FUEL SERVICES INRIX, INC. announced that its off-street parking and fuel services will soon be available in the all-new Porsche Panamera vehicles in Europe and North America. Drivers will be able to easily find, compare, and navigate to available off-street parking spaces, as well as search for and drive to the lowest fuel prices nearby.

“Dynamic services are no longer just a selling point but a requirement. As a matter of fact, 81 percent of drivers currently use or are considering using in-car connectivity for information,” says Andreas Hecht, executive vice president and general manager of automotive at INRIX. “Real-time information like traffic, parking, and fuel plays a critical role in the entire driving experience.”

Joining other luxury automakers that have recently incorporated INRIX’s parking services, Porsche will now allow drivers to access dynamic off-street parking information, including routes to the closest garage locations, detailed rates, amenities, restrictions, and real-time occupancy. INRIX Parking offers access to the world’s most comprehensive and accurate parking database that includes more than 29 million spaces in more than 90,000 locations spanning 4,000 cities in 65 countries.

INRIX Fuel allows drivers to search for nearby stations and view dynamic pricing to find their preferred fuel at the lowest price. The service provides location, brand, and real-time pricing information for more than 277,000 fuel stations in Europe and North America. INRIX Fuel is continually monitored and regularly updated as new fueling locations come online.

THE HARMAN GROUP CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF DALIAN ON THE SQUARE

T

HE HARMAN GROUP (THG) celebrated the grand opening of its Dalian on the Square, a 520,000-square-foot, mixed-use development.

THG is the structural engineer and parking consultant on the project, which was developed jointly by Philadelphia’s IFC International and Washington­based Dalian Development. The $160 million mixed-use project combines high-end residential with amenities; 85,000 square feet of office space and retail anchored by Whole Foods; and below-and-above grade parking.

“Dalian on the Square has transformed nearly a full square block of underutilized space into

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an extension of Center City’s core,” says Jan Vacca, principal with The Harman Group, “We were able to draw on our experience engineering complex, but cost-efficient, downtown mixed-use projects to create a

INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

new landmark along the Parkway that seamlessly integrates housing, amenities, retail, and parking elements.”

The 10-story residential portion, Dalian on the Park, features 293 luxury residen-

tial apartments in addition to a 35,000-square-foot rooftop Sky Park featuring an infinity pool. The ground floor features a 55,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market and a CVS. To ensure that the market wasn’t affected by the residential uses, green roof, and pool above it, THG designed an internal mezzanine that allows for the collection of any leaking water. THG utilized a steel frame for the building with precast plank floors and cold form steel bearing walls for the residential above.

Residents and shoppers can also enjoy five tiers of below-and above-grade structured parking that accommodates up to 490 cars.

NEW NONPROFIT FOUNDATION ADVOCATES FOR EXCELLENCE IN MOBILITY MANAGEMENT RAMON L. MOTA-VELASCO P. OF MEXICO CITY,

Mexico, and Cristóbal Chao-Qing C. of Panama City, Republic of Panama and Macau, Republic of China, are pleased to announce the formation of the H2H2H Foundation, a nonprofit, international foundation championing the delivery of quality commercial mobility management (MM) services by governmental entities, institutions, for-profit businesses, and other stakeholders.

MM is an innovative, worldwide trend in the public transportation sector that features a strategic approach to coordinating service and enhancing the customer experience. MM accomplishes this by promoting communication and collaboration between managers of different elements of the transportation infrastructure within a particular

community. These elements might include public transit networks, parking facilities, tollways, car ferries, and intelligent transportation systems.

One goal of MM is to encourage thoughtful transportation demand management strategies to better utilize existing transportation grids.

Another objective is expanding the range of

sustainable transportation options for consumers by leveraging the emerging shared economy.

Strategically located in Panama City, Republic of Panama, the foundation will be active across Latin America. “Our primary mission is to bridge the cultural, linguistic, and commercial divides

of North, Central, and South American MM professionals,” says Mota-Velasco, chairman of the entity’s board of governors. “However, we will also perform outreach across the globe, with affiliate offices initially located in six additional countries.

“The foundation will advocate for transportation managers and consumers, facilitating the flow of innovation and information from the point of experience to the point of need,” Mota-Velasco adds. “We hope to enhance the professionalism of mobility managers and increase respect for MM as a profession. In addition, H2H2H aspires to inform and educate transportation planners and upper-echelon decision-makers about best practices in MM.”

Be a Parking Super Hero Permits. Distribution. Software.

www.rydin.com

e. sales@rydin.com | p. 800.448.1991

parking.org/tpp

FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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Education

Take advantage of online, on-site, and professional development opportunities to improve your knowledge and advance your career.

Professional Development Access training and certifications for individuals, organizations, and buildings.

Events

Get the most up-to-date information on parking events around the world.

Resource Center

new site. more info. parking.org

Explore the comprehensive database for parking pros searchable by keyword, source, and category.

Publications

Search, read, and submit articles, blog posts, and more.

Networking

Tap into the largest, most active, vibrant, and dedicated community of parking professionals in the world.

Introducing IPI’s new website – a new look, easier navigation, robust resource center, more features, more fun.

Advancing the parking profession

TM

NEW AND RENEWING IPI MEMBERS

ACADEMIC

ASSOCIATION

University of Calgary Susan Austen

Georgia Building Authority Janet Hale

Montclair State University Benedicto Omuya

CONSULTANT

Carnegie Mellon University Michelle Porter

Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP Judith Dodge

University of Arizona David Heineking

City of Santa Rosa Kim Nadeau City of Asheville Harry Brown City of Clearwater Sue Tellier City of Colorado Springs Gregory Warnke

Marlyn Group, LLC Victoria Pero

City of Orlando Scott Zollars

Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Charles Reedstrom

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge Jeffrey Campbell

City of Pasadena Jon Hamblen

Federal Realty Investment Trust Deirdre Johnson

City of Sacramento Mike King

Eastern Virginia Medical School Justin Nelson

HPC, LLC Neill Hurley

University of Vermont James Barr

DIOGENES CAPITAL David Teed

University of Minnesota, Duluth Patrick Keenan

Indiana University Amanda Turnipseed Northern Virginia Community College Mike Blackwell

AIRPORT Huntsville International Airport James Bradford Dane County Regional Airport Mike Maromaty

parking.org/tpp

SUPPLIER

HOSPITAL/MEDICAL CENTER Memorial Hermann Health System Daniel Boone

PUBLIC

Saveto Nabil Al-Kilany Sentry Protection Products James Ryan Lemonde Partners Inc Sung-Hee Park Parking BOXX Inc. Renee Cleary Nagle Energy Solutions LLC Francis Nagle

City of La Crosse James Flottmeyer Pittsburgh Parking Authority David Onorato

Rollpark Basil Polivka

FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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PARKING CONSULTANTS

DESMAN

Design Management National Parking Specialists Architects Structural Engineers Parking Consultants Planners Transportation Restoration Engineers

▪ Parking Structure Planning & Design ▪ Studies & Operations Consulting ▪ Restoration Engineering ▪ Structural Engineering

800-FYI-PARK carlwalker.com

Rich & Associates, Inc. Parking Consultants - Planners Architects - Engineers Southfield, Michigan 248-353-5080

Lutz, Florida Chicago, Illinois 813-949-9860 312-421-7593

www.richassoc.com

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INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

Boston Chicago Cleveland Denver Ft Lauderdale Hartford New York Pittsburgh Washington, D.C.

Green Parking Consulting

Providing Parking Solutions for Over 40 Years

w w w. D ES M A N . co m

Leverage Data | Metrics Guidance | Optimize Resources Safeguard Assets | Analysis Consensus | Reduce Risk Plan Effectively | Decisions Policies | Improve Service Innovate Smartly | Alternatives

Creating Parking for People and Places

Providers of objective advice for more than 30 Years

Brian Lozano, PMP 800.364.7300 WA LT E R P M O O R E .C O M

Project Management Design Parking Consulting Structural Engineering Diagnostics

Traffic Engineering Transportation Planning Civil Engineering ITS Systems Integration

Philadelphia, PA n 215-564-6464 n www.chancemanagement.com Parking

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Access Management

Architecture | Engineering | Consulting The leading expert in developing structured parking solutions.

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FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE 12/12/2016 4:21:29 PM

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ADVERTISERS INDEX

Carl Walker, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 carlwalker.com | 800.FYI.PARK

IPS Group Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C3 ipsgroupinc.com | 858.404.0607

Rich & Associates, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 richassoc.com | 248.353.5080

CHANCE Management Advisors. . . . . . . . . . .61 chancemanagement.com | 215.564.6464

Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.. . . . . . . .7, 61 kimley-horn.com/parking | 919.653.6646

Rydin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 rydin.com | 800.448.1991

DESMAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 desman.com | 877.337.6260

Magnetic AutoControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 ac-magnetic.com/usa | 321.635.8585

Timothy Haahs & Associates, Inc. . . . . . . . . .60 timhaahs.com | 484.342.0200

EDC Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C2 aimsparking.com | 800.886.6316

MITI Manufacturing Co., Inc... . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 mitico.com | 866.545.6484

Toledo Ticket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C4 toledoticket.com | 800.533.6620

Hormann. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 hormann-flexon.com | 800.365.3667

ParkingSoft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 parkingsoft.com | 877.884.PARK

WALTER P MOORE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 walterpmoore.com | 800.364.7300

International Parking Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 ipd-global.com | 877.437.7275

PARKING BREAK

JIM BASS is landside operations manager at the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, Little Rock, Ark. He can be reached at jbass@fly-lit.com or 501.537.7354.

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INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE | FEBRUARY 2017

Highlighted are IPI and IPI Allied State and Regional Association Events

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2017 March 13–15

July 12 -14

October 10–13

Mid-South Transportation & Parking Association Annual Conference and Tradeshow Knoxville, Tenn. mstpa.org

Pacific Intermountain Parking and Transportation Association Tacoma, Wash. pipta.org

New York State Parking Association Silver Anniversary Albany, N.Y. nyspa.net

April 3–4

September 11–13

October 17–20

New England Parking Council Spring Conference & Tradeshow Boston, Mass. newenglandparkingcouncil.org

Southwest Parking and Transportation Association Annual Fall Conference Las Vegas, Nev. southwestparking.org

Canadian Parking Association Annual Conference Banff, Alberta, Canada canadianparking.ca

April 3–6

September 20–22

Texas Parking and Transportation Association Conference and Tradeshow Fort Worth, Texas texasparking.org

GPALs Summit at the Eurpoean Parking Association Rotterdam, Netherlands parking.org/gpals

California Public Parking Association Annual Conference Monterey, Calif. cppaparking.org

April 5-6 Cleveland Clinic CARES about Parking 2017 Symposium Cleveland, Ohio

Pennsylvania Parking Association 2017 Annual Conference & Expo Erie, Pa. paparking.org

April 26–28

September 27–29

Parking Association of Georgia Conference Buford, Ga. parkingassociationofgeorgia.com

Carolinas Parking Association Annual Conference & Tradeshow Asheville, N.C. carolinasparking.org

September 27–29

November 15-17

December 5–7 Florida Parking Association Conference & Tradeshow Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. flparking.org

April 28 Parking Association of the Virginias Spring Workshop Fredericksburg, Va. pavonline.org

May 21–24 2017 IPI Conference & Expo New Orleans, La. ipiconference.parking.org

June 14–15 Southwest Parking and Transportation Association Reno, Nev. www.southwestparking.org

parking.org/tpp

FEBRUARY 2017 | INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE

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