Technology

Unlocking Opportunities by Connecting Fragmented Journeys

Because of Parking Lots

Make the Leap from Managing Parking to a Curbside Management Program

Future Trends in Urban Transportation Systems

Virginia Beach’s Technology Evolution

As a proud Gen Xer, card carrying member of the MTV generation and certified latchkey kid, I grew up on bowls of sugary cereal watching Saturday morning cartoons.  Hands up.  Who thought at this point in history we’d all be flying around in our Jetson cars?  Come on.  You aren’t kidding anyone.  We all did. Fast forward and we are hearing about autonomous vehicles and AI driven technologies shaping our lives.  More and more cities are nixing the urban sprawl in favor of bringing people back into the cities.  We are bombarded with green initiatives, bike to work, public transportation instead of driving, carpooling, scooters on the go and even remote work so you don’t have to drive anywhere.  We’ve gotten so accustomed to being able to work from home, ordering groceries for delivery, everything you need to buy can be there in a matter of hours right from your phone, you can Uber where you want.  All that and we still find ourselves sitting in traffic.  Despite what would be the most logical conclusion, shockingly car ownership has increased.  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration “Highway Statistics 2022”, car ownership increased from 90.7% in 2015 to 91.7% in 2022.  Who’s to say that this trend doesn’t start reversing.  Empty land is scarce, and parking is even more so.  We’ve always been told “what goes up must come down”. It begs to question…. what next? With what seems to be all that stacked against us, how does parking remain relevant?  Admittedly, I’m kind of a Syfy buff.  Especially Twilight Zone.  One of my all-time favorites was an episode called the “Obsolete Man”.  The whole premise is that The State finds a librarian to be obsolete and he was to be sentenced to death.  It sounds crazy and farfetched, but in all reality how does parking not become obsolete?  What can we do to make sure that doesn’t happen?  That weighs on me every day.  EVERY.  DAY.  How will parking look in 5 years?  10?  30?  How has parking changed since 1995 until now?  I’m certain most of you will say quite a bit.  So, what would make us think that in another 30 years it isn’t going to be completely unrecognizable?   As the CFO of the Parking Authority, I am constantly focused on the future of this organization and industry.  I worry about how decisions will affect viability.  We have retirees to think about. Who am I kidding.  I have my own retirement to think about.  Do we invest in an up-and-coming area?  Do we opt to downsize?  Do we double down on EV charging infrastructure?  Should we investigate converting lots into multiuse facilities?  Ditch the card readers and go to apps only?  It can be truly exhausting.  But also, one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had.  Who knew there was so much to parking?  Certainly not me.  That said, I’m going to petition to have Chief Financial Officer title changed to Chief Future Officer.  Jodi Hart, CPA, CFE, CAPP, is the Chief Financial Officer for Pittsburgh Parking Authority. Jodi can be reached at jhart@pittsburghparking.com.

Miami, FL – Premium Parking, a leading provider of innovative free flow parking solutions, is excited to announce the launch of its cutting-edge, on-demand payment system at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins. This weekend's highly anticipated Savannah Bananas events will mark the official debut of this enhanced parking experience. Premium Parking’s technology will allow fans will simply drive into designated parking areas, park, and use their mobile devices to pay for parking using their license plate as their credential. This system offers convenience and efficiency, allowing fans to focus on enjoying the event from the moment they arrive. “We are thrilled to partner with loanDepot park to bring our innovative parking solutions to Miami on a large-scale,” said Mike McKeon, Vice President of Venues & Events at Premium Parking. “Our on-demand payment system is designed to enhance the fan experience by eliminating unnecessary delays and providing a hassle-free parking process. Starting with the Savannah Bananas events, we are confident that fans will appreciate the convenience and efficiency of our technology.” The transition to Premium Parking's system is a testament to loanDepot park’s commitment to providing a best-in-class experience for its patrons. By leveraging Premium Parking’s technology, loanDepot park will optimize parking operations, improve traffic flow, and enhance overall customer satisfaction. “We are always looking for ways to improve the fan experience at loanDepot park,” said Anthony Favata, Vice President of Operations & Events at loanDepot park. “Premium Parking’s on-demand payment system aligns with our goal of providing convenient and efficient services for our guests. We are excited to introduce this technology and believe it will significantly enhance the parking experience for all events, starting with the Savannah Bananas this weekend and throughout the Marlins season.” Premium Parking’s system also provides real-time data and analytics, enabling loanDepot park to monitor parking occupancy and make informed decisions to optimize parking operations. This data-driven approach ensures efficient parking management and improved revenue generation. Attendees of the Savannah Bananas events this weekend will be the first to experience the convenience of Premium Parking’s on-demand payment system. Clear and concise signage will be provided throughout the parking areas to guide fans through the simple payment process. About Premium Parking  Premium has rethought the entire value-creation chain for properties, from the way parking is designed and managed (without gates), how offices and campuses manage permits, to how residents and visitors integrate with businesses and venues, and how new value is distributed among stakeholders and clients. This paradigm shift uses modern cloud infrastructure, AI camera technology, mobile payments; clear, friendly policies, combined with service excellence, to make cities and places everywhere more discoverable and accessible. Headquartered in New Orleans, Premium Parking operates in over 40 cities across the U.S. and focuses on transforming parking through gateless, mobile-first technologies. The company can be found online at www.premiumparking.com. About loanDepot park loanDepot park is the home of the Miami Marlins and world-class special events. loanDepot, the Official Mortgage Provider of Major League Baseball and the Presenting Sponsor of the MLB American and National League Championship Series, secured the exclusive naming rights for the venue. This multi-year relationship brings together two rising and celebrated organizations with a common vision for providing exceptional, impactful experiences for customers and fans. Media Contacts: For Premium Parking: Bill Smith Smith Phillips Strategic Communications (for Premium Parking) bsmith@smith-phillips.com For loanDepot park: Jon Erik Alvarez Miami Marlins jalvarez@marlins.com

Horseheads, NY – Duncan Solutions, LLC today announces its acquisition by Gallant Capital Partners (“Gallant”), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm. The acquisition is effective immediately. Duncan Solutions provides technology-enabled outsourced business processing solutions for tolling and parking authorities nationwide. “We are excited to join the Gallant family,” said James Kennedy, CEO, Duncan Solutions. “Our new ownership structure will enable us to expand on our core capabilities and enhance the experiences we deliver to our clients and the millions of motorists they serve. It also will allow us to accelerate our rate of CX innovation while continuing to attract and develop our industry’s top talent.” “Duncan Solutions has a proven track record of providing innovative customer service for mobility authorities,” said Anthony Guagliano, Partner at Gallant. “We look forward to supporting them along their high-growth trajectory through investments in their people, technologies, and products.” About Duncan Solutions Duncan Solutions provides technology-enabled processing, collections, and record lookups for tolling and parking authorities. For more information, visit www.duncansolutions.com. About Gallant Gallant Capital Partners is a private equity firm that invests in technology, business services, and industrial companies. Gallant executes an operationally focused investment strategy with a priority on partnering closely with companies that can benefit from its extensive industry relationships and operating expertise. The firm partners with owners, founders, and management teams to maximize value and drive long-term, sustainable growth for its portfolio companies. Gallant was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.gallantcapital.com. Media contact: Brian Grimm brian.grimm@duncansolutions.com (617) 552-5683

Carlsbad, CA – With Shell Recharge shutting down its EV charger software, leaving hundreds of EV charging stations across the U.S. inoperable, Zevtron, ParkMobile, and Athena Partners Strategy Group have formed a strategic alliance to provide an immediate and seamless solution for affected site owners and EV drivers. This collaboration will deploy Zevtron’s cutting-edge white-label EV charging software across the former Shell Recharge network, restoring full operational capacity to these chargers. Additionally, ParkMobile’s industry-leading payment platform will be integrated, allowing drivers to conveniently pay for charging through the ParkMobile app they already use. Meanwhile, Athena Partners Strategy Group will provide strategic consulting and project management, ensuring a smooth transition and long-term sustainability for EV site hosts. “Shell’s exit has left hundreds of chargers effectively stranded,” said Chris Mckenty, SVP Sales & Marketing at Zevtron. “Our goal is to rapidly restore these stations to full functionality while enhancing their capabilities with flexible branding, seamless payment options, and improved management tools.” ParkMobile, a trusted provider of parking payments nationwide, will extend its capabilities to process EV charging sessions, making the transition seamless for users to park and charge. “Integrating EV charging parking sessions into ParkMobile simplifies access for millions of drivers who already rely on our platform,” said Andy Harman, Vice President of Sales at ParkMobile. Athena Partners Strategy Group will lead the initiative’s strategic execution, working closely with cities, businesses, and property owners to deploy the new solution efficiently. “We see this as a major opportunity to not only restore EV charging infrastructure but also improve it for the long term,” said Nick Stanton, Managing Partner, Athena Partners Strategy Group, Inc With the April 30th shutdown of Shell Recharge fast approaching, EV site owners must act now to keep their chargers operational. This partnership offers a turnkey solution to ensure uninterrupted service, enhanced user experience, and improved revenue potential. For more information on transitioning your EV chargers to the Zevtron-powered network, contact: Chris Mckenty, cmckenty@zevtron.com

Urbiotica expands its range of parking space detection sensors with the launch of U-Spot IoT for surface installation, a new version of the successful U-Spot M2M and 3.0 parking sensor. This innovation maintains the same reliability and accuracy while offering a faster and simpler installation process. With this new product, Urbiotica addresses market needs and opens new opportunities for integrators and municipalities, enabling parking space detection systems in projects where in-ground sensors were previously unfeasible or uncompetitive. What’s New? U-Spot Surface offers the same technology and reliability as our in-ground sensor but comes with an optimized casing for surface installation. This solution provides: Lower installation costs: Quick deployment without major technical requirements, optimizing time and resources.  Greater flexibility: Can be installed in a variety of environments without drilling. More project opportunities: Access to tenders and sectors where in-ground sensor installation was a limiting factor. Quick Installation Tailored to Each Need The U-Spot Surface has been designed to adapt to different environments and installation requirements: With screws: Urbiotica’s standard method, ensuring maximum stability and vandalism resistance. With adhesive: An ideal option for environments where drilling is not permitted, allowing installation without altering the existing surface. When to Choose U-Spot Surface? The surface version is the best option for environments that require a more agile and cost-effective installation without compromising accuracy: Indoor and off-street parking, where in-ground installation can be more expensive or unnecessary, or when replacing wired systems to eliminate electrical dependencies and reduce maintenance costs. Rooftops and modular structures, where drilling or ground modifications are not allowed. Projects with installation cost constraints, making space detection viable in more locations. Meanwhile, the in-ground version remains the best choice for: Areas with high vandalism risk.  Public spaces with regulations regarding surface elements.  Snow-prone regions, where the sensor is protected from damage by snowplows. Advancing Parking Digitalization The launch of the U-Spot IoT Surface reinforces Urbiotica’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in parking management and mobility. With this new version, we expand implementation possibilities and facilitate the deployment of parking guidance systems in more environments. Want more information or to explore its application in your project? Contact our team to discover how the U-Spot Surface can benefit you: info@urbiotica.com About Urbiotica Urbiotica specializes in smart mobility solutions, offering advanced IoT technology for parking management. With a presence in over 50 countries, its mission is to enhance urban efficiency through innovative digital solutions.

Houston, TX – Automotus, a leader in curb management technology, is excited to announce its partnership with ParkHouston to introduce Smart Loading Zones across the City. This innovative collaboration aims to make curbside parking more efficient for commercial vehicles by eliminating the need for an app, encouraging quicker turnaround times, reducing congestion, and promoting local business vitality in the largest and busiest city in Texas. Smart Loading Zones utilize Automotus's AI-powered solutions to address the growing challenges of urban parking management, specifically for business vehicles utilizing loading zones. The new system will offer seamless, automated payment and invoicing for drivers based on license plates, plus provide real-time data collection and analytics so ParkHouston officials can monitor curb usage and ensure optimal traffic flow. “Houston is a dynamic city with increasing demands on its curb space,” said Automotus Vice President of City Partnerships Matt Brooker. “We’re thrilled to partner with ParkHouston to deliver a solution that improves access and safety for businesses and residents while reducing congestion and simplifies loading zone parking.” Key benefits of the Smart Loading Zones include: Improved Efficiency: Drivers can easily locate and use designated loading zones, reducing delays and conflicts at the curb. Dynamic Pricing: Automated pricing systems encourage shorter stays and higher turnover, ensuring equitable curb access. Data-Driven Insights: Real-time analytics provide ParkHouston with valuable insights to optimize curbside policies and operations. “ParkHouston is committed to innovative solutions that address the needs of our growing city,” said ParkHouston Deputy Director Maria Irshad. “Partnering with Automotus enables us to get our commercial drivers in and out of parking spots quicker creating a more efficient and vibrant environment for everyday commuters.” The pilot program is set to launch in the Downtown and Midtown neighborhoods in March of this year, with plans to expand based on the success of the initial rollout. Automotus and ParkHouston will work closely with local businesses, delivery services, and other stakeholders to ensure the zones meet the needs of the community. For more information about the Smart Loading Zones initiative, visit Automotus at https://www.automotus.co/ or ParkHouston at https://www.houstontx.gov/parking/. About Automotus: Automotus is a pioneer in curb management technology, helping cities and businesses worldwide to optimize curbside operations, reduce congestion, and achieve sustainability goals. Its solutions, including CurbPass and CurbSuite, empower communities to create more accessible, equitable, and environmentally friendly urban environments. More at Automotus. About ParkHouston: ParkHouston oversees on-street parking in Houston, providing innovative solutions to manage parking resources effectively and improve mobility. The organization is dedicated to enhancing the urban experience through technology, collaboration, and sustainable practices.