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I recently led a lunch & learn, and part of my preparation was seeking out relevant stats to support investing in charging stations. I wanted to share some of the ones that stuck out, which confirm EVs aren't going ANYWHERE: Growing demand for EV charging: Global EV sales surge: in 2023, global EV sales hit a record 10 million, up 55% from 2022. EVs are expected to account for 18% of total car sales by 2024. EV adoption rates: the number of EVs on U.S. roads is projected to reach 26.4 million by 2030, compared to 2.6 million in 2021. Consumer demand for charging: 81% of EV drivers expect access to charging at places where they park for extended periods (such as parking lots, multifamily developments, and workplaces). EV charging as a competitive advantage: Attracting tenants and visitors: 40% of drivers have said they’re more likely to choose a parking facility with EV chargers. Increase in property value: properties with EV charging stations have seen rent premiums increase by 3-5%, and property values can increase by 7% in markets where EV adoption is strong. Parking facilities with charging stations: facilities with EV charging tend to experience higher occupancy rates, especially in urban areas where EV drivers actively seek charging options. Courtney Henry-Irwin is the Director of Partner Development for EVPassport. She can be reached at cirwin@evpassport.com.

The service industry is made up of multiple areas that all should have a common goal in common. Providing the best service possible to consumers that will leave them with a memorable experience and will leave them thinking how and when they can return to relive that experience. When we think of hospitality the first thought that comes to mind is hotels, entertainment venues and restaurants. All these also share one major factor that affects almost every single City in the world. Parking. We as parking professionals serve as the first and last experience a consumer has when they visit these types of locations. Providing a hospitable and welcoming experience is key to ensuring a guest experience gets off on the right foot. I was once asked if an individual with a hospitality degree and years of experience in the hotel industry can successfully transition into the parking industry? My answer to that question was an emphatic yes. It’s experiences that tailors an individual to offer a warm welcome with the ability to lead with yes. All the attributes that every parking professional should have in my opinion. Forbes training standards are an excellent resource for our industry leaders to promote with front line staff and operations teams on this topic. Elvis Reyes, CAPP, is the General Manager for The Car Park. Elvis can be reached at ereyes@thecarpark.com. With electric vehicles come batteries - lots and lots of batteries. Research and development have been able to extend the life of these batteries, but ultimately these storage devices will continue to have a limited useful life for the foreseeable future. How many batteries are we talking about? An article in Pocket predicts "12M tons of lithium-ion batteries are expected to retire between now and 2030." What can be done with this tsunami of batteries that are past their initial useful life? The most predictable answer is recycling. However, there is another school of thought proposing that a second life as storage cells may actually be the better answer for society and for the environment. It would be interesting to see some of these batteries resurrected to store solar energy in meters or charging stations at the curb, in lots, or in parking decks. From an initial life in mobility to a second life in parking, it is an innovative idea worth considering. Leslie L. Stone, CAPP is the Director of Customer Success for WeDriveU. Leslie can be reached at leslie.stone@wedriveu.com.

Although the internal combustion engine is not yet on life support, the lockstep march towards "zero emissions" is certainly well underway. The supply of petroleum-based fuels is finite and no one is arguing against cleaner air. California is leading the way with an executive order that mandates that all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state be zero emissions by 2035. It stands to reason that other progressive states, and ultimately an order at the federal level, are not too far behind. Major vehicle producers are announcing additions to their EV line-up, including a 1000HP Hummer by GMC. With electric vehicles come batteries - lots and lots of batteries. Research and development have been able to extend the life of these batteries, but ultimately these storage devices will continue to have a limited useful life for the foreseeable future. How many batteries are we talking about? An article in Pocket predicts "12M tons of lithium-ion batteries are expected to retire between now and 2030." What can be done with this tsunami of batteries that are past their initial useful life? The most predictable answer is recycling. However, there is another school of thought proposing that a second life as storage cells may actually be the better answer for society and for the environment. It would be interesting to see some of these batteries resurrected to store solar energy in meters or charging stations at the curb, in lots, or in parking decks. From an initial life in mobility to a second life in parking, it is an innovative idea worth considering. Leslie L. Stone, CAPP is the Director of Customer Success for WeDriveU. Leslie can be reached at leslie.stone@wedriveu.com.

Here is the first question that needs to be answered: Who is your audience?  Are they visitors, commuters, students, downtown business owners and shoppers, or large companies. The more ways you provide for a parker to pay for your services the better customer service experience they will have?  Is the service I want to offer going to lead to confusion for my audience? If you add a feature or application to your current parking services will it be adopted and used frequently by your audience? Make sure that whatever service(s) you choose to adopt it will be received well by the audience you are providing these services for.  This would include pay on foot stations, parking meters, pay by phone application, and garage parking just to name a few. You need to know is your department’s financial goals. Is it to break even or to make money?  Make sure you understand your role, responsibility, and authority level when managing large revenues or changing the way you receive more revenue for your department.  Do your parking research. If you are signing a contract or buying equipment, you will need have involvement from purchasing and legal at the very beginning. There are a lot of items that get left out or over looked in a contract if you are not sure what to look for.   Research, research, research here are few guiding tools Ask as many questions with other parking professionals Demo the product for your others within your organization that will be effected if you add the service Visit a another parking operation that uses the product you are interested in Have the sales representative walk you through the customer’s experience, asked about maintenance, asked about any fees that are expected outside the contract. If you don’t ask the questions the right way (because you are not educated on the services enough) you won’t get the right answers you were seeking to make a good financial decision.  To be a good steward of the tax payer’s dollars, university dollars, airport dollars, you need to do your research!  Be prepared, be honest about what you don’t know and seek to understand all facts to make sure that you are improving the customer’s experience and meeting your financial goals! Michelle L. Wahl, CAPP, is the Parking Services Director for the City of Bloomington, IN. Michelle can be reached at michelle.wahl@bloomington.in.gov.

“Hey Siri, can you give me directions to dynamic pricing?” Pricing parking appropriately in cities has long been a puzzle for transportation planners. As urban congestion grows and the demand for curb space increases, cities are challenged to find efficient ways to manage their parking resources. While some cities are just beginning to implement static parking pricing models, the conversation is evolving quickly toward more sophisticated, demand-based approaches. But how do cities move along this road—from static pricing all the way to dynamic pricing? “To begin, head west toward static pricing” For cities just beginning to charge for on-street parking, static pricing is often the first step. Parking rates are consistent across time and location and set for an entire service area. This approach is easy to implement and helps cities introduce the concept of paid parking to their residents. However, static pricing often fails to address varying levels of demand throughout the city, leading to inefficient space utilization. The challenge with static pricing is that it treats every space the same, regardless of location or time. In high-demand areas, spaces may fill quickly, while less busy neighborhoods might see spaces go unused. Cities may begin to see that this simple system can be improved by targeting pricing to match local conditions. “In 1,000 feet, turn right toward pricing by zone” The next step in the evolution of parking pricing is implementing variably pricing by location. Cities begin to adjust rates based on zone, charging more in areas with higher demand. For example, parking downtown during business hours might cost more than parking in a less congested neighborhood. This zone-based pricing helps ensure that high-demand areas experience turnover, and it pushes drivers to park in underutilized spaces. However, this system is still somewhat static because the pricing for each zone is typically set for at least a year, and the city might not be able to adjust rates on a short-term basis. “Just ahead, keep left toward variable pricing by time” After pricing by zone, cities can adopt variable pricing by time, adding a new lever to the pricing strategy. In this model, parking rates are set higher during peak hours and lower during off-peak times. For instance, a city might charge higher rates in the evenings near restaurants and entertainment areas or during business hours in commercial districts. By using time-based adjustments, cities can better manage their parking supply based on known patterns of demand. However, similar to pricing by zone, these rates are still fixed for a defined period, and adjustments typically happen annually or less frequently. “In half a mile, use the second lane from the left to turn to demand-responsive pricing” As cities move further along the pricing road, they can begin to implement demand-responsive pricing. This system allows cities to periodically adjust rates based on parking demand data, usually shifting rates seasonally or quarterly to better reflect usage trends. For instance, a city might raise parking prices in a popular shopping district during the holiday season or lower rates in underutilized zones after observing sustained low demand. Demand-responsive pricing encourages drivers to park in less congested areas, freeing up space in high-demand zones. Cities often rely on pre-approved rate ranges they can switch between throughout the year based on the data they collect on parking patterns. This model brings cities closer to a dynamic pricing system but still lacks real-time flexibility. “Your destination is approaching, dynamic pricing is just ahead on the right” Finally, the future frontier of parking pricing is dynamic pricing, where rates adjust in real time based on current demand — imagine “surge pricing” for curbs. With dynamic pricing, cities require real-time data on parking occupancy, allowing them to shift rates immediately by time of day, location, or demand level. This creates a responsive system where parking spaces are always priced to reflect their true value at any given moment. Dynamic pricing is an incredibly advanced approach and requires sophisticated technology, including sensors, smart meters, and powerful data analytics. While most cities are not yet ready to implement this system, dynamic pricing offers a vision of the future—one where cities can seamlessly manage parking supply, reduce congestion, and create a better experience for residents and visitors. “What you’ll need on your trip” Each stage in the evolution of parking pricing requires cities to gather and analyze increasing amounts of data. As cities progress from static pricing to more sophisticated models like demand-responsive and dynamic pricing, having access to comprehensive parking data becomes critical. Parking Insights provides cities with the tools they need to gather, analyze, and act on parking occupancy data. Whether a city is ready to implement demand-responsive pricing or is looking to make the larger leap to dynamic pricing, they can be provided with the insights and infrastructure required for success. With the right platform, cities can track parking occupancy, identify patterns, and adjust pricing models to optimize space utilization and revenue. The Road Ahead The path from fixed pricing to dynamic pricing may seem daunting, but cities don’t need to travel it alone. By leveraging data and digital tools, cities can evolve their pricing strategies step by step, moving toward smarter, more efficient parking systems. Are you ready to explore the future of parking pricing? Ali Barsamian is the Vice President of Growth with Populus. Ali can be reached at ali.barsamian@populus.ai.

Do you ever feel a constant war between the demands of work and home? If you do, you are not alone. Part of the problem is that technology has separated the boundaries between work and home. Employers expect their employees to be reachable outside of the office. With work happening more and more outside of the office, it is not easy to separate the two. The effects of burnout are real and impacts organizations, reducing employee productivity, and retention. There is no right way to address work-life balance for yourself. Each person is different and requires different ways to build a healthy balance. For me I try to prioritize wellness both mentally and physically. Each day I take a few moments to check in with myself and become aware of how I am feeling; improving my mental wellness. I make exercising, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep a priority. When you take care of your body, it takes care of you. One of the most important things, for me, is to take my PTO. There have been many years that I lost my PTO time due to me not taking it, and I felt the burnout. Taking time away from work is very important. Take the vacation! When your job takes more and more of your time and energy it can lead to burnout, and it is hard to find a way out. Finding a work-life balance might take some trial and error, but the reward will be incredible once you figure out what works for you. Varena Harding, CAPP, is a Project Manager for Central Parking Systems. Varena can be reached at vharding@municipalparking.com.

Like most of the world today, we are challenged to do our best to stay healthy and safe. Many people take special precautions through medicinal interventions, while supplementing their health with vitamins, a good healthy diet, and good old fashion exercise. These are great ways to stay and maintain your health, but I have recently discovered the fascinating world of Arts and Medicine. I never really thought about how positive and influential the arts could be on one’s health. After diving further into the topic, I learned that the world of the arts, whether that is dance, music, or painting, can have very therapeutic benefits. In fact, a number of different studies in the Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care and Frontiers in Psychology have shown the benefits of simply looking at art. This has inspired some hospitals to add art to their rooms and doctors to prescribe non-medicinal artistic therapies. These unconventional therapies have proven to be very helpful for those with anxiety, stress, and mental health conditions. So as a friendly reminder be sure to wash your hands frequently, take your supplements, eat a healthy diet, take a daily walk, and take a trip to your local art museum or have a solo dance party to release those endorphins. Shontel Zamora, MPA, is a Budget Analyst for California State University at San Bernardino. Shontel can be reached at szamora@csusb.edu.

I’m often asked "How quickly can this charge an EV?" However, when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), you need to shift your mindset from the traditional way of fueling gas cars. Unlike gas cars that require frequent trips to the pump, EVs make the most of the time your car is parked, often charging overnight at home or during the day at work. Instead of viewing “fueling up” as another time consuming errand, think of EV charging as something that happens effortlessly in the background, just like doing laundry at home. Home Charging = In-unit Washer/Dryer - Just like tossing clothes in the washer and going about your day, home charging happens while you're busy. Plug in when you get home, and wake up to a fully charged car. It’s convenient and costs little—similar to a load of laundry. On-site Charging = Shared Laundry Facilities - If you don’t have in-unit laundry, you likely use shared facilities in your building. Similarly, shared EV chargers in apartment complexes require a bit more effort but are still cost-effective and easy to use. Road Trips = Laundromat - For long trips, think of charging at a DC fast charger like using a laundromat. You’ll spend about 20-30 minutes getting a charge, enough time to grab snacks or take a break. Prices and times vary depending on location and vehicle, but just like doing laundry, it's manageable and part of the routine. EV charging - it’s all about shifting your mindset. If you can relate EV charging to doing laundry, you’ll discover that refueling your EV is easier than you think, because it usually happens while you’re doing something else. So instead of asking the question, how long does it take, consider the time you’re saving. Imagine never needing to wake up early for a gas station stop before work because your EV charges overnight. Plus, the financial perks are significant. EV drivers save about 60% on fuel costs, roughly $1,440 per year. And you'll skip those extra convenience store purchases, saving you even more. Yes, as easy as doing laundry - but with the bonus of not having to fold or put clothes away. Kamala Vanderkolk leads VA Business Development for National Car Charging. You can reach Kamala at kvanderkolk@nationalcarcharging.com.

As a tech enthusiast, I embraced electric vehicles (EVs) in 2016. Fast forward to 2024, my daughter now has her learner’s permit, and we knew her first car had to be electric. Here’s why: Upfront Affordability. Believe it or not, electric cars—especially used models—are affordable. We found a low-mileage, 8-year-old EV for under $6,000. Thanks to federal incentives, EVs have become a smart investment, especially compared to old gas vehicles with high mileage and higher repair costs. Low Maintenance. Teenagers often end up with an old, unreliable car with endless maintenance issues. But EVs are different—their powertrains have fewer than 30 moving parts, compared to the thousands in gas-powered cars. That means fewer repairs, less worries, and overall lower maintenance costs. Range anxiety is a common EV concern. My daughter's used EV has a range of ~120 miles—perfect for a new driver. It’s enough to get her to school, work, and the mall, but not enough for road trips. It’s like having a cordless leash—keeping her close to home. Safety is the top priority, and EVs offer incredible peace of mind. EVs are statistically safer than gas vehicles, with fewer injury claims, lower rollover risks, and a significantly reduced likelihood of catching fire. Their low center of gravity, due to battery placement, makes rollovers nearly impossible. Plus, EVs consistently earn top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. Forward-Thinking. Choosing an EV isn’t just a smart financial move—it’s a way to teach my daughter the importance of sustainability. EVs can save nearly 5 tons of CO2 for every 10,000 miles driven, reducing her carbon footprint and combating climate change. It contributes to a healthier planet and sets a positive example for her peers. No More Gas Money. Remember scrounging for gas money? With an EV, that’s one less thing for teens to worry about. Charging at home means she'll always have a full “tank” each morning, as long as she plugs it in overnight—just like her phone. Plus, EV drivers save about $2,200 on fuel each year, making it easier for her to focus on other expenses like car insurance. Insurance Costs. Speaking of insurance, while EV insurance costs are dropping thanks to lower sticker prices, high safety ratings, and fewer moving parts, insuring teens remain expensive—no matter what powers their car. The best way to reduce your teen's insurance bill is by taking advantage of good grade discounts and investing in professional driving lessons. While EVs are a smart choice, they can’t work miracles! That said, EVs offer excellent benefits making them an ideal option for long-term savings and safety. The Clear Choice. For us, choosing an EV for our daughter’s first car was a no-brainer. Between the affordability, low maintenance, safety features, and environmental benefits, it’s the perfect fit for a new driver. If you’re considering a car for your teen, take a look at electric vehicles—you might be surprised by how much they have to offer! Kamala Vanderkolk leads VA Business Development for National Car Charging. You can reach Kamala at kvanderkolk@nationalcarcharging.com.

Campus Events -The Basics   By Mike Harris, MBA, CAPP Campuses around the country are a vibrant and exciting place to operate. As parking professionals, there are many different hats we all must wear in order to fulfill all the demands placed on our departments. One of these is managing Read More »

Hybrid Residential Parking Districts   By Steven Bergin, CAPP The City of Richmond has six restricted residential parking districts (RRPD), each with their own unique program that allows residents to purchase permits to park freely in their district. Most of our parking districts were established due to parking pressures from Read More »

When we contacted the Ask the Experts volunteers with our question for October, we received a landslide of thoughtful responses and did not have enough room to include them all in the magazine. But knowledge should never be wasted! So, here are even more great answers to the October question, Read More »