February 1, 2011

The International Parking Institute recently partnered with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its Lighting Research and Development Program to study lighting consumption and opportunities for energy-savings in the parking industry.

The survey was conducted as a collaboration between DOE and IPI to benchmark lighting usage in off-street parking and the data was divided into stand-alone parking garage lighting and parking lot lighting. A long term goal of the research is to better understand where businesses and organizations can determine performance characteristics, reduce energy consumption and potentially save money.

The International Parking Institute is proud to assist the Department of Energy and grateful for the time and effort so many member companies put into completing this important survey. The survey results can be downloaded from the IPI Library or by clicking here. (note the parking specific section begins on page 6).

One of the foremost benefits of attending the IPI Conference & Expo is the conference educational programming. The IPI Education Committee has created a program that brings you intriguing, timely, useful information by hand-picking the most engaging, knowledgeable and inspirational speakers. IPI is pleased to present an education schedule in track format that offers presenters who will share their expertise and real world experiences that are sure to increase the professional levels of the attendees. Tracks include Best Practices 1 & 2, Technology, Sustainability/Transportation and Metrics.

Sessions include:

Ask the Consultants
A Panel Discussion Moderated by Ronald W. Stehman, Gannett Fleming, Inc.

ExpressPark - An Intelligent Parking Management System for Downtown Los Angeles
Daniel Mitchell, City of Los Angeles DOT

Parking Inventory Management: Maximize Turn-over and Minimize Transaction Time
Stephanie Barnes, Cleveland Clinic

Suicide and the Parking Garage
Isaiah Mouw, Republic Parking System
Andy Troth, CAPP, Baylor University Medical Center
Lanny Berman, Ph.D., ABPP, American Association of Suicidology

View the full schedule in grid format, see the full descriptions of the education sessions or download the conference brochure.

Visit the IPI Conference & Expo Web site to register and for complete information on the 2011 IPI Conference & Expo and see why it is the largest conference & expo in the parking industry with 2,500 attendees, 200 exhibitors and 60 educational opportunities.

IPI's January webinar, A Paradigm Shift in Parking Enforcement, attracted more than 250 participants and was IPI's largest to date. Instructor Roamy R. Valera, CAPP, Vice President, Municipal Services, Standard Parking Corporation, discussed the challenges that are presented to Parking Enforcement Officers (PEO) and the expectation to deliver the highest level of customer service.  He gave an overview of the parking industry today, describing how the need for a shift in paradigm for parking enforcement programs has changed the way parking professionals look at the impact of public relations and the services provided.

Question: When empowering enforcement to waive a citation in the field, what steps need or should be taken to avoid being abused by the select few habitual illegal parkers once the goodwill is figured out?
Roamy Valera: Keep track of the number of events that the PEO is faced with making such decision. Keep track of the route/zone, time of day, etc. Also, compare others and how those standards compare with the individuals that may be perceived to be abusing the system. Your meter revenues in the route/zone, is also a good indication when enforcement is consistent.

IPI members can read the entire Q&A from the webinar, or anyone can access the archived webinar.

Denotes video news story

· New Westminster, BC, Looks at Bike Racks - On the Streets
· Heftier Fines For Parking Meter Tickets? Spokane Set To Consider It
· San Francisco Weighs Issuing Nanny Parking Permits
· MBTA Offers New Way to Pay for Parking
· Parking in 'Handicapped' Spot? You Could Get Criminal Record in Austin
· Downtown St. Cloud Area Businesses Want Alternatives to Meters
· Melbourne Eyes Extra $20m in Parking Fines
· Goodbye Chalking Tires in Santa Rosa
· Increased Nebraska Parking Fines Bill Gets Hearing
· Johnstown's Biggest Garage Making Least Money
· Norman Parking Enforcement to Begin Taking Proactive Approach
· Chattanooga Airport Weighs Major Upgrade
· Winter Haven Parking Garage Project in Builder Talks Stage
· Austin Seeks to Change Parking Meter Hours
· City of Seattle Gives in on Some Parking Rates, But Not in Downtown
· UMass Buys Land for New Parking Site
· Stephen Nemes Resigns as Bethlehem Parking Authority Executive Director
· New Meters Aim to Cure Parking Headaches in SF
· Ashville City Council Supports New Downtown Parking Garage
· Meters Covered by Snow, it's Not Just a Commute, it's an Adventure
· Illegal Parking Will Cost More in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
· Washtenaw Community College Board Hires Contractor to Build New Parking Garage on Campus
· Jacksonville International Adjusts Parking Rates in Push for More Customers
· New Plans Announced for the O'Donnell Parking Structure
· Belmont Selectmen Support Smart Parking Meter Pilot Program
· Santa Monica Mall Cams Raise Privacy Concerns
· Portsmouth Eyes Shift of Parking Fees From Commercial to Residential
· Davenport - To Meter, or Not to Meter?
· Business Owners Have Mixed Opinions of New Parking Garage
· Downtown Raleigh Parking Deck Opens
· New Bill Would Grant Pregnant Women Free Parking Throughout NYC
· Car Sharing = Parking Space Wars
· Time's Expired on Unpaid Parking Fines in Columbia, SC
· Parking System Raises Concerns About Privacy - Servant or Snoop in the Parking Garage?
· Parking at UWF is Ride and Seek
· iPhone App Helps Avoid Parking Tickets

For these stories plus more, visit the Parking in the News section of IPI's website.

 

President Barack Obama used his State of the Union address to lay down a series of clean energy goals, including a proposal to get consumers to drive electric vehicles:  "We can break our dependence on oil with biofuels, and become the first country to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015."

Achieving this goal will require that communities have in place the infrastructure for the next generation of clean cars, including adaptations in existing parking garages and electric charging stations in both public and private on- and off-street parking. 

"The parking industry will be ready to answer the charge," assured Shawn Conrad, executive director of the International Parking Institute (IPI), the largest trade association of the parking industry. "Readily available charging locations will be critical, especially in the early years as consumers begin to drive electric vehicles. The parking industry is ready to step up and take on a major facilitating role in electric vehicle roll-out." 

"Developing accommodations for electric vehicles is just part of the innovative thinking and advanced technology that parking professionals are bringing to the sustainability movement," explained Conrad. "When parking expertise is part of the early planning process, a great deal can be accomplished. Proper placement and shared-use of parking can be designed to support density, mass transit, walkability, and ultimately, a reduction in vehicle miles traveled and the accompanying carbon emissions."

For more information, read the full IPI News Release.

The 2011 Parking Buyers Guide & Consultants Directory encompasses a wealth of service & solution providers in an easy-to-use format including a geographical index and services grid.  You'll be able to access providers that your organization needs to stay ahead with technology, customer service, design, maintenance and security within your facilities - year round!  This invaluable resource tool is on its way to members with the February issue of The Parking Professional magazine.  To request additional copies, please contact Jean Miller. Coming soon... a downloadable app!

City of Phoenix - Aviation Department
For: Parking Revenue Control System (PRCS) Technology Consulting Services

City of Chicago - Department of Aviation
For: Management of Public Parking and Ground Transportation Facilities for Chicago Midway International Airport

Los Angeles World Airports/City of Los Angeles Department of Airports
RFI For: Parking Access and Revenue Control System

Tampa Port Authority
For: Parking Garage LED Lighting Improvements

The City of Phoenix, Arizona
RFQ For: On-Street Parking Study

Village of Libertyville, Illinois
For: Commuter Train Station "Pay by Space" Paystations and Services

Myrtle Beach International Airport, South Carolina
For: Public Parking Facility Concession

Parking Coordinator - City of Lethbridge - Lethbridge, Ontario Canada

Director of Hotel & Valet Operations - LAZ Parking Chicago, LLC - Chicago, Ill.

Chief Operations Officer - Miami Parking Authority - Miami, Fla.

IPI's February webinar, Building Community in the Digital Age: Leveraging Online Tools for Better Public Engagement, will discuss the current digital landscape, provide a general introduction to social media and online networks, discuss digital strategy best practices and profile relevant case studies. Online properties such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Blog Talk Radio among others enable organizations, media, bloggers, public officials and others to publish and share content within their social circles, thus credibly extending messages.  You will find out how social networks also assist in building online community by providing an opportunity for the parking industry to host and engage in relevant conversations with core audiences, key stakeholders and other interested participants.
 

Community in the Digital Age: Leveraging Online Tools for Better Public Engagement
February 23, 2011
2:00 PM EST
Members: $35.00
Non-Members: $50.00

Visit www.parking.org/webinars  for more information and to register.

Mid-South Transportation & Parking Association
The 2011 MSTPA Conference is just around the corner in the Bluegrass State! On March 14-16, the University of Kentucky and the Lexington Parking Authority will team up to host us at the Crowne Plaza - The Campbell House in Lexington, KY. Exhibitors from across the U.S. and attendees from many universities and municipalities will meet for three days of meetings, leadership discussions, networking, special events and behind the scenes tours of the area. Dr. Barbara Chance of Chance Management will be the Keynote Speaker and is one example of the excellent line-up of speakers... more information.

New England Parking Council
The New England Parking Council is holding its First Annual Hospital Educational Forum Thursday, February 3rd, hosted by Mass General Hospital at the Charlestown Navy Yard! If you're involved with hospital parking this is the place to be! Click on the link for details, and please register ASAP - space is limited. This one day educational forum is free to NEPC members, including parking and lunch!

Coming soon: The New England Parking Council's Annual Parking & Transportation Conference March 23rd & 24th at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge... more information