FLASH: 3 Factors Influencing Modern Municipal Parking Operations

The mobility needs of modern municipalities are diverse and ever-evolving. In-person experiences are more digital than ever before, users are turning to their mobile phones to book services, and technology for the smart city of the future is in the spotlight today.

At FLASH, we work closely with our partners in municipal leadership to develop the most intuitive and technology-forward solutions for parking assets. From updating garages with digital technology and mobile reservations to introducing future-ready services like EV charging, we solve the most current, pressing mobility challenges with the latest innovations in parking technology.

The Drive Towards Digital

Covid-19 accelerated the adoption of digital, touchless technologies like QR codes and mobile payments. As health concerns fade into the background, consumers are still consistently choosing these updated transaction practices for the sake of convenience.

In parking, that convenience looks like:

• Intuitive interfaces and touch screen technology
• Automated access technology like LPR, RFID, AVI, and Bluetooth
• Un-staffed kiosks to optimize labor and user experience
• Digital reservation and payment capabilities

Multi-Modal, Mobile-First Mobility

Among alternatives like rideshare apps, public transit, bikes, and even eScooters, cars serve a distinct role in today’s urban mobility ecosystem. As users adopt the full spectrum of transit options and get in the habit of booking rides or picking up a scooter via apps, they are also turning to their phones when it comes to parking.

The modern rider can compare the cost and time associated with driving and parking versus calling a ride versus taking micromobility all from their mobile phone. Parking garages that don’t show up on apps are being eliminated from that purchase evaluation entirely.

Rise of the Smart Cities and Future Mobility

In order to meet the growing and diversifying needs of drivers in today’s mobility ecosystem, Smart City initiatives are rising up to develop smart, tech-driven approaches to city functions like housing, utilities, energy, and mobility.

Common goals for our smart city partners include growing property value, supplementing city services, and reducing traffic congestion. Solutions FLASH has developed to meet those needs include:

• Un-staffed kiosks for automated event and after-hours parking
• Dynamic pricing for lag and surge times
• Rideshare staging
• EV charging for micromobility, consumer EVs, and fleets
• Overnight municipal and corporate fleet management

FLASH: A Flexible Approach to Municipal Mobility

FLASH’s innovative approach to being a technology partner is centered around flexibility to your unique use-case, empowerment through technology, and responsiveness to marketplace shifts.

In working with municipalities, that means looking at the needs of individuals and communities to find equitable solutions, implement the latest in smart city innovations, and tap into cutting-edge AI and vision to monitor and respond to the changing city equilibrium in real-time.

“In working with clients in the municipal space, the #1 concern I hear today relates to the changed reality of the daily commute. FLASH empowers cities to pivot from old school monthly passes to more flexible parking options that better meet the needs of hybrid workers.” Wade Bettisworth, Senior Vice President, Government and Municipality Sales at FLASH

About FLASH 

FLASH is an innovator in the urban mobility space, helping businesses rethink one of their most valuable assets: the parking garage. Our award-winning cloud-born platform is custom configurable, secure, reliable, and grows alongside you as business or consumer demands evolve. Visit www.flashparking.com to learn more.