ABSTRACT
As in most aspects of our lives, technology has become an important part of managing parking and transportation operations. Effectively integrating technology into a parking and transportation operation allows a manager or owner to enhance customer service and communication to customers, offer new services and customer conveniences, and reduce operating costs and improve efficiency. Many new and innovative technology solutions are developed every year. However, to effectively select and use a technology solution, a parking operation should understand its service goals, customer needs, and operating procedures and constraints. Parking technologies include a wide range of specialties, including field technology – meters, gates, space sensors, ticket dispensers, intercoms, apps, etc.; infrastructure technology – Wifi, cable, T1 lines, etc.; operating software technology –third-party mobile payment, prepaid parking, and reservation systems; and analytics and reporting technology – graphical reporting tools, demand prediction engines, pricing analytics, etc. Parking professionals should have a detailed understanding of each of these technologies, and continue to stay up to date on the many changes and advancements that they bring.
