Our Parking Industry®

On-Street Parking, Safety, and the Role of Technology

Episode Overview In this follow-up episode, Krista Olien is joined by Clyde Wilson and Leigh Thomas to reflect on the team’s conversation with Nick Nicholas, a police captain whose role includes municipal parking oversight. The discussion expands on frontline safety, enforcement, situational awareness, and the difficult role parking professionals play in their communities. The team also explores broader challenges in on-street and municipal parking, including technology adoption, revenue capture, customer experience, and the importance of making informed decisions during the RFP process. Why This Matters On-street parking is one of the most visible and emotionally charged areas of the parking industry. For municipalities and universities, parking impacts safety, access, enforcement, revenue, and public perception. Technology can help improve operations, but only when it is selected carefully, managed effectively, and paired with people who understand how to serve the community. What You’ll Learn * Why frontline enforcement roles deserve more support * How visibility and awareness impact safety and parker confidence * Why technology should make people more efficient, not obsolete * How LPR and enforcement tools can improve revenue capture * Why on-street parking requires a different strategy than garages * How municipalities can become better buyers of technology * Why RFP research and vendor validation matter Key Takeaways * Parking enforcement is difficult public-facing work * Frontline visibility can improve safety and customer confidence * Technology should support people, not replace them * Municipal parking challenges are often operational and internal * On-street parking requires strong data and thoughtful management * RFP decisions should be based on research, not vendor promises * The best technology improves efficiency, revenue, and customer experience Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and recap of Nick Nicholas’ episode 01:30 Frontline safety, enforcement, and respect 03:40 Defining on-street and municipal parking 06:50 Situational awareness and enforcement safety 10:00 Technology, enforcement, and people 15:00 Managing technology for revenue and efficiency 20:00 Internal pressures in municipal parking 24:00 Understanding who parks downtown 27:00 The future of on-street parking 31:30 Becoming better technology buyers 35:30 RFP research and vendor validation About the Hosts Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast, leading conversations around strategy, transparency, and the future of parking operations Leigh Thomas Project Manager with a background in mathematics and data analysis, focused on improving operational clarity and performance through data-driven insights Clyde Wilson Founder of TPN Consulting, bringing over four decades of industry experience and insight into parking operations, contracts, and financial performance Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com [https://www.parkingnetwork.com] Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.

Frontline Safety in Parking: A Conversation with Nick Nicholas

Episode Overview In this episode, Leigh Thomas and Trina Tutor sit down with Nick Nicholas, a police captain in Orange County, California, to discuss parking enforcement, frontline safety, public service, and the role parking plays in community life. Nick shares how parking unexpectedly became part of his responsibilities as a police captain and why he has developed a deep respect for the industry. While he may not call himself passionate about parking, he is passionate about protecting the people working on the front lines. The conversation explores situational awareness, de-escalation, wellness, technology, and the importance of treating parking professionals as essential public-facing workers. Why This Matters Parking enforcement staff are often the most visible representatives of a city, campus, hospital, or facility. This episode highlights the safety risks frontline parking professionals face and why training, support, and respect are critical. Parking is more than citations and compliance. It impacts public safety, customer service, accessibility, and quality of life. What You’ll Learn How Nick became responsible for parking operations Why frontline safety deserves more attention Simple situational awareness practices for parking staff How LPR technology can improve safety and workflow Why education-first parking management matters How parking supports downtown vitality and business access Why wellness and resiliency should be part of industry conversations How de-escalation begins with self-control Key Takeaways Frontline parking professionals need better safety training and support Situational awareness can reduce risk in daily interactions Parking staff often serve as ambassadors for their communities Technology supports people, but does not replace them Parking compliance should focus on education before enforcement Wellness and resiliency matter in parking operations No parking violation is worth someone’s personal safety Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and guest welcome 01:00 Nick’s background in policing and parking 04:00 Frontline safety and risks in enforcement 06:30 Situational awareness tips for parking staff 10:30 Nick’s teaching background and learning philosophy 13:00 The complexity of parking management 15:00 Parking staff as community ambassadors 18:00 Virtual permits and customer support 21:30 LPR technology and officer safety 23:00 Why technology does not replace people 25:00 Parking’s role in downtown vitality 27:00 Wellness, resiliency, and mental health 32:30 De-escalation and frontline empowerment 36:30 Managing emotional responses to citations 40:30 Adapting enforcement during peak seasons 43:00 Funny parking stories from the field 45:30 Final thoughts and continuing the conversation About the Hosts & Guest Leigh Thomas Project Manager with a background in mathematics and data analysis, bringing an analytical perspective to parking strategy and performance Trina Tutor Senior Data Analyst at TPN Consulting, focused on parking operations and performance review Nick Nicholas Police captain in Orange County, California, overseeing parking enforcement, permitting, public safety, and frontline staff support Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com [https://www.parkingnetwork.com] Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more industry insights and podcast updates.

Hidden Fees in Parking: Moving From Awareness To Action (Part 3 of 3)

Episode Overview In the final installment of this three-part series, Krista Olien, Clyde Wilson, and Leigh Thomas focus on solutions to one of the industry’s most persistent challenges: hidden and “camouflaged” fees in parking operations. After exploring how hidden fees developed and how they show up today, this episode shifts to what can be done about it. The conversation highlights key root causes, including decades of underpriced management fees, the “race to the bottom” in RFP processes, and the shift from cash-based operations to digital, transaction-driven environments. Using real-world examples, the team outlines how asset owners and operators can move toward a more transparent and sustainable model that supports profitability, accountability, and stronger performance. Why This Matters Hidden fees are not just a financial issue. They impact trust, decision-making, and long-term asset performance. As the industry becomes more digital and data-driven, outdated contract structures are no longer sustainable. This episode highlights why now is the time to rethink how parking services are procured and managed. What You’ll Learn How low management fees contributed to hidden fee structures The difference between hidden and “camouflaged” fees How digitization and SaaS models are reshaping revenue streams What asset owners should be asking during the RFP process How contract structure impacts long-term outcomes Practical ways to identify hidden fees in your operation Key Takeaways Parking management has historically been undervalued Hidden fees emerged to offset unsustainable pricing Digital platforms introduce new ongoing costs that require scrutiny RFP processes must prioritize quality, not just price Asset owners can demand greater transparency and performance Strong management drives higher revenue and better outcomes It is not too late to shift toward a more sustainable model Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and recap 02:00 From hidden expenses to camouflaged fees 04:00 The race to the bottom in management fees 08:00 Industry perspective on value and performance 12:00 How hidden fees became normalized 18:00 Digitization and reduced on-site staffing 22:00 Why the current model is unsustainable 24:30 Rethinking the RFP process 29:00 SaaS fees and long-term cost impact 33:00 Real-world RFP example 36:00 How to identify hidden fees today 41:00 Following the money 43:30 On-site experience and operations 46:00 Aligning expectations and compensation 47:30 Final thoughts About the Hosts Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and podcast host Clyde Wilson Founder of TPN Consulting with 40+ years of experience Leigh Thomas Project Manager focused on data-driven insights Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com [https://www.parkingnetwork.com] Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more insights.

Hidden Fees in Parking: What Asset Owners Need To Know (Part 2 of 3)

Episode Overview In part two of this three-part series, the TPN team moves from history into the current reality of hidden fees in the parking industry. Building on episode one, this conversation focuses on where hidden fees are showing up today and how they impact both asset owners and operators. Using real-world audit examples and firsthand observations, the team explains how traditional expense markups have evolved into more complex, revenue-based challenges. As parking operations shift toward digitization and offsite management, new layers of fees are being introduced, often without clear visibility. This episode is centered on awareness, helping asset owners understand what to look for and why the current structure is creating imbalance in both revenue and operations. Why This Matters The parking industry is in a major transition. Technology, e-commerce, and centralized operations are changing how facilities are managed and how revenue is collected. Hidden fees are no longer limited to expenses. They are now embedded in transactions, revenue streams, and offsite processes. Without clear visibility, asset owners struggle to understand performance, ensure proper revenue flow, and hold operators accountable. What You’ll Learn How hidden fees have evolved from expense markups to revenue-based charges Where hidden fees are most commonly appearing today How e-commerce and digitization are introducing new fee structures The impact of offsite management on transparency Why asset owners are often removed from key financial decisions Key Takeaways Hidden fees are now embedded in revenue streams, not just expenses Digitization creates both opportunity and risk for transparency Many asset owners are unaware of fees within their own operations Offsite management creates disconnects between data and decision-making The current system no longer aligns with modern parking operations Notable Quotes “Hidden fees are an indicator that our agreements have not kept up with the industry.” “We’re not just dealing with expenses anymore. Now we’re dealing with revenues.” “The parker pays the fee, but the landlord never sees the income.” Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and recap of episode one 02:00 Why the industry must evolve beyond outdated agreements 05:00 TPN’s perspective across operators, owners, and audits 08:30 Real audit example and on-site observations 12:00 Pricing decisions and market impact 15:30 Defining hidden fees today 19:00 E-commerce and transaction fee challenges 22:30 Offsite management and data disconnects 26:00 Closing thoughts and preview of solutions About the Hosts Krista Olien – President of TPN Consulting and podcast host Clyde Wilson – Founder of TPN Consulting with 40+ years of experience Leigh Thomas – Project Manager focused on data-driven insights What’s Next in the Series Part 3 focuses on solutions, exploring how to modernize agreements and improve transparency. Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com [https://www.parkingnetwork.com] Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more insights.

Hidden Fees in Parking: How We Got Here (Part 1 of 3)

Episode Overview Hidden fees are one of the most debated and least understood topics in the parking industry. In this opening episode of a three-part series, the TPN team takes a candid look at how these practices developed and why they continue today. Drawing on decades of industry experience and real-world observations from financial and operational reviews, the conversation traces the evolution of parking agreements from high-risk lease models to today’s management agreements. The team explores how those shifts changed incentives, accountability, and revenue practices. This episode reframes hidden fees as a symptom of a larger challenge: outdated agreements struggling to keep pace with modern operations, technology, and expectations. Why This Matters This is not just a conversation about fees. It is about transparency, trust, and performance. For operators, it is about being fairly compensated for increasingly complex work. For asset owners and property managers, it is about understanding where revenue is going and ensuring assets are performing at their full potential. What You’ll Learn How lease agreements created accountability Why management agreements changed risk and incentives How low management fees contributed to non-transparent practices Why hidden fees often point to outdated agreement structures How technology is forcing the industry to rethink parking agreements Key Takeaways Hidden fees are often a byproduct of misaligned agreements Management agreements improved scalability but reduced direct performance incentives Many agreements do not reflect the true cost of modern operations Technology is making transparency more important than ever The industry needs collaboration between operators and asset owners Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction to the hidden fees series 02:00 Defining hidden fees and why they matter 09:00 Lease agreements and early parking operations 17:00 The shift to management agreements 24:00 How hidden fees developed over time 29:00 Why agreements need to be modernized About the Hosts Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast, leading conversations around strategy, transparency, and the future of parking operations Clyde Wilson Founder of TPN Consulting, bringing over four decades of insight into parking operations, contracts, and financial performance Leigh Thomas Project Manager with a background in mathematics and data analysis, focused on operational clarity and data-driven performance insights What’s Next in the Series Part 2 takes a deeper dive into the fee structures seen across the industry today. Part 3 focuses on solutions and what modern, transparent agreements could look like moving forward. Listen & Follow Catch the full episode and subscribe to Our Parking Industry Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com [https://www.parkingnetwork.com] Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.