ENTRANCE

Staying In Motion

By Mark Lyons, CAPP

WE ARE NOW IN THE THROES OF WINTER. It was only a few short months ago that we gathered in Tampa for the 2021 IPMI Parking & Mobility Conference & Expo. It’s exciting to think now we are only a few months from meeting again in New Orleans!

If you missed the Tampa Conference, you missed seeing exciting new technology and the factors causing an acceleration of its use within our industry. According to Newton’s Second Law of Motion, a force upon an object causes it to accelerate. According to the formula, net force = mass x acceleration. So, the acceleration of the object is directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass. Okay, admittedly I am not a physicist, but, based on the last IPMI Expo, it appears that the mass of our industry is advancing a proliferation of technology that will never cease. Or will it?

No matter where you live across this diverse plain, if you are operating a parking or mobility service, then you’re probably focusing on how to effectively run “special” operations. You might be planning upcoming events over the summer, actively working the snow and ice teams, or where temperatures are mild, managing events in garages and street parties. Either way, our industry is still heavily dependent on our people. Sure, technology is finding ways to reduce jobs and expenses, but where would we be if there was no coordination between man and machine? Ultimately, all of us still rely heavily on people to execute professional services and communicate with customers. We need people with soft skills and technical know-how.

No doubt we need plenty of capital to invest in our new infrastructures and systems. But I submit to you, the first line of capital needs to be invested in our people. We need to help them gain experiences that test their knowledge, commitment, and fortitude. Once that is done, the use of technology becomes more impactful. ◆

MARK LYONS, CAPP, is general manager, parking management division, for the City of Sarasota, Fla., and a member of IPMI’s Board of Directors. He can be reached at mark.lyons@sarasotafl.gov.