IPI Launches New Accreditation Program for Parking Organizations
The Accredited Parking Organization (APO) establishes national and international standards for professionalism, accountability, innovation, responsibility, and performance
(ALEXANDRIA, VA – June 30, 2015) The International Parking Institute (IPI) launched the Accredited Parking Organization (APO), a new certification for parking organizations that have achieved a comprehensive standard of excellence. APO recognizes best practices in responsible parking management and operations, customer service, professional development, safety, and security.
“Until now, there has been no accreditation or industry-wide standard for parking organizations,” says IPI Executive Director Shawn Conrad, CAE. “IPI’s new APO program gives parking organizations a standard by which they can measure their progress in achieving industry best practices. We believe the accreditation process will inspire organizations to improve their programs, facilities, services, and results, and promote an organization-wide focus on efficiency and excellence. Both the parking industry and the public will benefit from this program.”
The new standard was developed by IPI’s APO Committee, chaired by
David Hill, Clayton-Hill, and including: L. Dennis Burns, CAPP, Kimley-Horn; Lee Bourque, Carl Walker, Barbara Chance, CHANCE Management Advisors, R. Max Clark, CAPP, Capital City Development, Corp., Michael Drow, CAPP, SP+; David Feehan, Civitas Consultants; Vanessa Solesbee, Kimley-Horn; with Technical Assistance from Casey Jones, CAPP, SP+; and Christine Stewart, Clayton-Hill.
To become an APO, an organization must demonstrate its commitment to ongoing evaluation and improvement of program outcomes through the implementation of industry best practices. Applicant organizations work with a third-party reviewer to organize and present evidence of accomplishment of 250 criteria in 13 categories related to industry best practices. In 2016, parking organizations exceeding the standard, may earn Accreditation with Distinction. The APO was developed to be applicable to institutional, municipal, medical, university, airport, private, and other parking programs.
The industry’s first five parking organizations to become Accredited Parking Organizations are:
• Miami Parking Authority, Miami
• Cornell University Commuter and Parking Services, Ithaca, N.Y.
• University of Washington Transportation Services, Seattle
• City of Houston Parking Services Department, Houston
• Missoula Parking Commission, Missoula, Mont.
Organizations interested in becoming APOs can download information, including the 35-page APO Manual for Applicants at parking.org/apo. For more information, contact Rachel Yoka at yoka@parking.org, or 571.699.3011.
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Media Contact: Helen Sullivan 703.606.7622 mobile sullivan@parking.org