The International
Parking Institute (IPI) recently published its
Framework on Sustainability for Parking Design, Management, and
Operations, outlining industry-wide goals and organization
action items that provide education, incentives, and forums for
members to learn about and contribute to sustainable parking
solutions.
According to IPI Chair Casey Jones, CAPP, "This
Framework represents a fundamental shift in thinking and
reflects the integral role parking professionals play in helping
communities achieve sustainability goals." Jones noted that the
Framework is not an endpoint, but a living document that
will be adapted over time to accommodate new ideas and advancements
in the sustainability movement.
As stated in the
Framework on Sustainability, parking
and transportation solutions should balance economic feasibility,
public health and welfare, and consideration of environmental
effects. The
Framework lists seven goals related to
sustainability, as well as 10 action areas through which IPI, in
close collaboration with its members, will focus efforts.
In the
Framework on Sustainability, IPI pledges to
promote and support seminars, publications, awards, education
certification programs, and other tools and resources on
sustainability topics. The
Framework also states support
for peer-to-peer sharing, long-term views, and third-party
collaboration, which are all critical steps in making informed
sustainability decisions.
IPI has already made significant strides in implementing many of
the actions. Two years ago, the association created a
Sustainability Committee, now co-chaired by Rachel Yoka, LEED AP
BD+C, CPSM, Timothy Haahs & Associates, Inc. and Rick Decker,
CAPP, Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. In addition to
working collaboratively with other organizations to advance
environmental approaches, a book on parking sustainability,
including case studies, is in the works.
Sustainability will also be a focus at IPI's 2012 Conference and
Expo, the world's largest parking industry event. Scheduled for
June 10-13 in Phoenix, Ariz., this year's conference includes an
educational track on the topic.
In addition, IPI's annual Awards of Excellence competition,
which recognizes outstanding achievements in parking, recently
added two new categories to reward environmentally-friendly
innovation in new and renovated facilities, as well as
operations.
"Contrary to common misperceptions, parking is vital to
sustainability," said Shawn Conrad, CAE, executive director of IPI.
"well-planned parking can increase use of mass transportation,
reduce the number of people commuting, and encourage alternative
travel methods such as bicycling.
Conrad also noted that just reducing the amount of time it
takes for drivers to find a parking spot can significantly reduce
fuel waste and emissions, and this can be accomplished through
smart planning combined with new technologies and mobile apps that
make it easier to find and navigate to available parking
spaces.
According to IPI's 2011 Emerging Trends in Parking report, an
increasing demand for green and sustainable parking solutions is a
leading industry trend.
Many parking facilities today are adopting best practices in
sustainability with energy-efficient lighting, solar panels, and
innovative water and waste management systems to reduce their
carbon footprints. These include implementing recycling
systems, using local and recycled materials in construction, and
installing renewable energy technology such as photovoltaic, wind
power, bio-fuels, and hydrogen fuel cells. An increasing number of
parking facilities are also supporting sustainability by
accommodating alternative fuel vehicles.
The International Parking Institute is the world's largest
association representing parking professionals and the parking
industry. Learn more and download IPI's
Framework on
Sustainability for Parking Design, Management and Operations
at
www.parking.org.
Download
the full Framework.
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