Urban Mobility

In today’s parking and mobility world, nothing is standing still. Things are changing not only day by day but sometimes minute by minute. It can be overwhelming at times, especially for those that have not yet fully embraced the need to integrate technology into their operations.

Typically, we see cities and municipalities falling behind the technology curve when compared with private industry. I would venture to say, though, that when it comes to implementation of smart parking and mobility technology, that may not be the case. More and more urban centers are embracing the “smart city” concept, and applying technology, data, and design to provide their residents with a safer and more convenient, beautiful, and sustainable environment.

But what defines “smart transportation”? Some of the top thinkers in this space – members of the IPMI Smart Transportation Task Force – define it as “people-centered and problem-driven technology-enabled solutions in mobility management to make the movement of people and goods across all modes more convenient, resource efficient, safe, and secure, and equitable.” This group discusses the current state of smart transportation and what the future may hold in one of this month’s feature articles.

In addition to that great content, this issue of Parking & Mobility magazine delves into rethinking urban mobility: what is the future of parking and mobility in our cities and towns? We look at the offerings of a modern urban parking authority, the roll-out of digital self-service parking resources, and a future that includes urban air mobility, among other topics. There is a ton of actionable content in this issue, so be sure to catch it all!

The future of parking and mobility is exciting, daunting, and perhaps most importantly, it is here. The good news is that we are taking it on together, as a community. IPMI will continue to be your partner as you navigate the opportunities and challenges to come. We’ve got your back. Let’s take on the future—together.