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	<title>Parking Design and Mobility &#8211; Walker Consultants</title>
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	<title>Parking Design and Mobility &#8211; Walker Consultants</title>
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		<title>Seven pointers to advancing parking reform</title>
		<link>https://walkerconsultants.com/seven-pointers-to-advancing-parking-reform/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Meleny G]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:09:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Parking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern California]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parking Requirements]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://walkerconsultants.com/?p=26702</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wpb-content-wrapper"><div class="vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row_visible"><div class="wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 text-left"><div class="vc_column-inner"><div class="wpb_wrapper"><div id="el1792079546304-9c666596-f89e" class="pix-el-text   w-100  " ><p class=""><p><em>This article was originally published in the October 2025 <a href="https://www.californiaparking.org/">California Mobility &amp; Parking Association</a> newsletter.</em></p>
<p><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Across the country, cities are rethinking their approach to parking. As local governments strive to meet ambitious goals around housing, economic growth, and climate action, many are reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements. The National Parking Association recently formally endorsed eliminating or reducing parking minimums.<sup>1</sup> But for communities worried about increased traffic and limited street parking, these changes can feel risky. Based on my experience working with cities on parking reforms, the following seven strategies can build public trust and show the benefits of reforming parking requirements:</span></p>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><i>Collect community-specific parking data</i>.</strong> Often, the public perception of parking availability is misaligned with the actual conditions on the ground. The core parking areas are often highly utilized, while two or three blocks away, there are plenty of empty spaces. Quantifying actual parking conditions at different times of the day is important to justify policy changes. Having actual parking demand data in a community helps to make the case for updating the parking code. At a recent City Council meeting for a small Northern California town, the data presented showed that overall, the City had enough parking during peak times. Additionally, the private parking lots were underutilized, suggesting that even when parking is required, it may not be utilized.</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><i>Review parking management practices.</i></strong> Understandably, one of the top concerns about parking reform is that if fewer private parking spaces are built, more cars will park on the street, and people will struggle to find a parking space. It is important for cities to consider parking management while reforming their parking policies. For example, does a new residential parking permit district need to be established? Should the parking meter rates be increased? Should the meter zone be expanded? Does the community need a parking permit program for employees? Should the time limits be revised? Can the parking enforcement budget be augmented? Reviewing the parking code and parking management policy concurrently allows cities to balance mobility, land use, climate goals, and community needs.</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><i>Encourage transportation demand management (TDM) measures</i>.</strong> Jurisdictions could consider conditioning minimum parking requirement reductions on developer investment in TDM measures that reduce overall parking demand, which is what was recently enacted the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Well-designed TDM policies and programs can reduce automobile travel often by 10–30%, and even more if integrated with major investments in non-auto modes and Smart Growth development policies.<sup>2 </sup>Not everyone can or will take advantage of amenities such as carshare, bikeshare, and free transit passes. However, moving the needle for some with TDM measures frees up more parking for those who have no other options.</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><i>Cite examples of other cities with successful parking reforms</i>:</strong> Decision makers and the public want to see how policy change affects similar cities. Hundreds of cities across the country have implemented parking reforms. The Parking Reform Network maintains a list of communities that have enacted parking reforms, ranging from citywide parking elimination to reducing parking minimums in certain districts.<sup>3 </sup>Some smaller cities may think parking reform is reserved for major cities with high-frequency transit. However, there are examples of parking reform in rural areas with populations of under 1,000 people.</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><i>Demonstrate how parking reform can benefit residents and businesses</i>.</strong> It is important to state the benefits of parking reform in clear terms with little jargon. To illustrate economic development benefits, consider showing an example in the community of a business that could not have opened under the current parking standards, and the space would have sat vacant. For example, in a small Northern California City, a small business that wanted to open an ice cream shop in a vacant space downtown had to go through a variance process (which had a $5,000 application fee and took several weeks to get approval) because the property was short one parking space compared to what the Code requires. Planning staff presented this example at a public meeting, which resonated with elected officials who support small businesses and a vibrant downtown. Having specific examples helps to illustrate the proposed policies, as it can be hard for the public to relate to abstract policy concepts.</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><i>Clarify that parking isn&#8217;t being removed</i>:</strong> Eliminating or reducing parking minimums does not mean banning parking from being built, but rather providing flexibility for developers. Late parking expert Donald Shoup emphasized how parking minimums are often based on limited data and are one-size-fits-all. Developers are incentivized to provide the parking that they need to attract tenants.</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><i>Align with established City goals</i>:</strong> Many cities have already established policies that either directly or indirectly promote parking reform. For example, in California, Housing Elements must address barriers to constructing new housing. Climate Action Plans often include strategies that reduce vehicle miles traveled. To show consistency, consider reminding communities of these established city policies.</li>
</ol>
<p>In conclusion, every community is unique, and parking is a highly localized issue. Successfully advancing parking reform requires building public and political support through clear communication, data-driven storytelling, and inclusive engagement. By emphasizing how outdated parking mandates inflate housing costs, limit flexibility, and undermine climate and mobility goals, policymakers can reframe parking reform as a tool for community benefit—not just a technical zoning change. Demonstrating local challenges and success stories, substantiating recommendations with local data, offering practical parking and transportation demand management solutions, and aligning reforms with broader city goals can help elected officials and residents see parking reform as a smart, forward-looking investment in their community&#8217;s future.</p>
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</div><div id="el1792081757396-44076330-a00f" class="pix-el-text   w-100  " ><p class=""><p><i><img decoding="async" class="alignright" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/tania-schleck-ls-23-300x225.jpg" width="237" height="178" /><em><a href="https://walkerconsultants.com/about/team/tania-schleck/">Tania Schleck</a> is a parking and mobility consultant with Walker Consultants, based in the firm&#8217;s Los Angeles office. She works with public agencies, institutions, and private owners on policies and studies designed to serve the parking and mobility needs of multiple user groups. Prior to joining Walker, she was a city planner for Eden Prairie, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, where she supported long-range planning efforts, coordinated entitlements, and updated the municipal code.</em><br />
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<p><sup>1</sup> <b>National Parking Association.</b> (n.d.). <i>Land use and zoning</i>. National Parking Association. <a title="Original URL: https://weareparking.org/page/land-use-zoning. Click or tap if you trust this link." href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fweareparking.org%2Fpage%2Fland-use-zoning&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMGradillas%40walkerconsultants.com%7C2b694e9691ff4c735b0608df2a22c8da%7C30d01c6ed9234f3b9f0f64b60f54306e%7C1%7C0%7C639276001020064749%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=q71nXlzljdDzsYWotAe7EuadLHrGltX2UQ2McCtd2iQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="40">https://weareparking.org/page/land-use-zoning</a></p>
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<p><sup>2</sup> <b>Litman, Todd, &amp; Pan, Meiyu (Melrose).</b> (2025). <i>TDM Success Stories: Examples of Effective Transportation Demand Management Policies and Programs, and Keys to Their Success</i>. Victoria Transport Policy Institute and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Retrieved from <a title="Original URL: https://cppa.growthzoneapp.com/ap/r/b7fbf3d88a7b40ef99e79410eabb2cb2. Click or tap if you trust this link." href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcppa.growthzoneapp.com%2Fap%2Fr%2Fb7fbf3d88a7b40ef99e79410eabb2cb2&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMGradillas%40walkerconsultants.com%7C2b694e9691ff4c735b0608df2a22c8da%7C30d01c6ed9234f3b9f0f64b60f54306e%7C1%7C0%7C639276001020074330%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=iLBX1%2FmcShuWfC7nvz3Uq4acvKxayHc48gpdrP1QlrU%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="41">https://vtpi.org/tdmss.pdf</a></p>
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<p><sup>3</sup> <b>Parking Reform Network.</b> (n.d.). <i>Parking Mandates Map</i>. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from <a title="Original URL: https://cppa.growthzoneapp.com/ap/r/2960e22848244fa996c6bddbeb6d8f9c. Click or tap if you trust this link." href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcppa.growthzoneapp.com%2Fap%2Fr%2F2960e22848244fa996c6bddbeb6d8f9c&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMGradillas%40walkerconsultants.com%7C2b694e9691ff4c735b0608df2a22c8da%7C30d01c6ed9234f3b9f0f64b60f54306e%7C1%7C0%7C639276001020083804%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=j0%2B%2Fy870POrViRwM%2BcJx4BxY89QP6w8Rg23%2FMnWOj14%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="42">https://parkingreform.org/mandates-map/</a></p>
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		<title>No More Parking Minimums. Who decides what’s enough?</title>
		<link>https://walkerconsultants.com/no-more-parking-minimums-who-decides-whats-enough/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Meleny G]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:44:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charlotte]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North Carolina]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://walkerconsultants.com/?p=26397</guid>

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			<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-26622" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-287x300.png" alt="" width="57" height="60" srcset="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-287x300.png 287w, https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-980x1024.png 980w, https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-768x803.png 768w, https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge.png 1035w" sizes="(max-width: 57px) 100vw, 57px" /> *Human Written Content</p>
<h2>Eliminating parking minimums&nbsp;doesn\&#8217;t&nbsp;eliminate&nbsp;parking decisions. It changes who makes them.</h2>
<p><strong>Charlotte, N.C. (WALKER CONSULTANTS)</strong>&nbsp;–&nbsp;For decades,&nbsp;parking&nbsp;requirements&nbsp;were&nbsp;made before the&nbsp;developer&nbsp;ever&nbsp;entered the conversation.&nbsp;Those requirements shaped everything&nbsp;from project costs and design&nbsp;to the amount of space available&nbsp;for housing, businesses, and other uses.</p>
<p>However, that changes on January 1,&nbsp;2027,&nbsp;as&nbsp;North Carolina\&#8217;s new legislation&nbsp;eliminates&nbsp;mandatory parking minimums for most new developments, giving developers more flexibility in&nbsp;determining&nbsp;how much parking their projects require. The state joins 13 others that have&nbsp;passed laws&nbsp;eliminating, reducing, or prohibiting&nbsp;local parking mandates.</p>
<p>Eliminating&nbsp;parking minimums&nbsp;doesn\&#8217;t&nbsp;eliminate&nbsp;parking decisions. It changes who makes them.</p>
<h3>Responsibility&nbsp;shifted, and what that means</h3>
<p>So,&nbsp;with the implementation of House&nbsp;Bill&nbsp;369,&nbsp;what changes?&nbsp;Project costs&nbsp;and&nbsp;design&nbsp;are&nbsp;certainly&nbsp;impacted. The biggest shift, though, is that&nbsp;project teams are now responsible for&nbsp;determining&nbsp;how much parking a development&nbsp;really&nbsp;needs.</p>
<p>Developers&nbsp;already&nbsp;evaluate&nbsp;parking&nbsp;needs&nbsp;based on actual demand&nbsp;rather than&nbsp;simply following the minimum.&nbsp;In&nbsp;some cases,&nbsp;the required minimum exceeds what a project&nbsp;truly&nbsp;needs, particularly&nbsp;when shared parking is considered. While developers&nbsp;can&nbsp;submit&nbsp;a proposal for fewer parking spaces, the approval process can be lengthy, and acceptance is not guaranteed.</p>
<p>The bill&nbsp;gives project teams greater flexibility to develop a parking&nbsp;plan&nbsp;that reflects the needs of the project rather than the prescribed minimum.</p>
<p>Parking planning involves more than counting cars or estimating how many spaces fit&nbsp;on a site.&nbsp;Considering the multitude of planning implications, developers and owners&nbsp;must&nbsp;also&nbsp;answer several questions before&nbsp;making a concrete decision.</p>
<p>Some of those questions should include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Who is using the site?</li>
<li>When are they using it?</li>
<li>Can parking be shared?</li>
<li>What transportation options&nbsp;exist?</li>
<li>How will this site evolve?</li>
<li>How much parking flexibility will this project need five or ten years from now?</li>
</ul>
<p>These questions&nbsp;don\&#8217;t&nbsp;produce a single formula;&nbsp;they produce context. Two mixed-use developments of similar&nbsp;size&nbsp;can require&nbsp;very different&nbsp;parking&nbsp;needs&nbsp;depending on their tenants,&nbsp;location,&nbsp;operating hours, land uses, and transportation options.&nbsp;That\&#8217;s&nbsp;why project-specific planning has become more valuable than ever.</p>
<p>Determining&nbsp;the right parking&nbsp;approach&nbsp;requires input from more than one perspective, bringing together owners, operators, consultants, and planners&nbsp;to understand how a development will function over time.</p>
<h3>Why this Matters for North Carolina</h3>
<p>North Carolina continues to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the country and was recently&nbsp;ranked&nbsp;the nation\&#8217;s No. 1 economy among top places to do business. As communities expand and transportation preferences evolve, the way we plan for, provide, and use parking is changing as well.</p>
<p>Continued population growth is fueling demand for new residential, commercial, healthcare, and higher education development across the&nbsp;state,&nbsp;and&nbsp;many local&nbsp;jurisdictions&nbsp;are updating their Unified Development Ordinances to encourage greater density, reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, and support alternative modes of transportation.</p>
<p>In response, developers are asking a more strategic question: How much parking do we really need? For North Carolina\&#8217;s Piedmont region, these&nbsp;revised development&nbsp;reforms will further shape how parking is evaluated and planned for future development. Good planning&nbsp;will&nbsp;recognize&nbsp;that today\&#8217;s projects must support multiple ways to move through a site while still acknowledging the practical reality that many users will continue to arrive by car.</p>
<h3>The cost of getting it wrong</h3>
<p>While most developers understand the need to provide the right number of parking spaces, determining the right amount is no simple task. Build too little, and operations can suffer. Build too much, and valuable land and capital may be tied up for decades. Understanding the long-term implications of both scenarios is essential to making informed parking decisions.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>Underbuilding</h4>
<p>When a project is built with too little parking, the effects extend far beyond&nbsp;a&nbsp;full parking lot.&nbsp;As parking demand exceeds&nbsp;the available supply,&nbsp;daily operations become more difficult.&nbsp;Visitors, employees,&nbsp;and customers&nbsp;compete for available spaces, slowing circulation and potentially creating spillover parking on neighboring properties.&nbsp;This&nbsp;affects not only tenant satisfaction and customer experience but also&nbsp;the property\&#8217;s overall performance.</p>
<p>Most people have experienced&nbsp;the effects of underbuilding&nbsp;firsthand. For one, we have all circled&nbsp;a parking facility&nbsp;only to realize every space is occupied.&nbsp;As frustrating as it is for drivers,&nbsp;it&nbsp;can be a sign that the parking&nbsp;plan&nbsp;no longer reflects how the development is being used.</p>
<p>Addressing these issues after construction often requires expensive operational changes, site modifications, or parking expansions that could have been avoided through thoughtful planning during the design phase.</p>
<h4>Overbuilding</h4>
<p>Overbuilding presents&nbsp;a different set&nbsp;of challenges.&nbsp;A structured parking stall&nbsp;costs&nbsp;tens of&nbsp;thousands&nbsp;of dollars,&nbsp;and&nbsp;that\&#8217;s&nbsp;only&nbsp;the original&nbsp;construction.&nbsp;Those costs&nbsp;don\&#8217;t&nbsp;end when construction is complete. Maintenance, repairs, lighting, cleaning, and long-term upkeep continue throughout the lifecycle of the facility,&nbsp;and&nbsp;depending on the structure type,&nbsp;condition, and utilities, annual&nbsp;maintenance&nbsp;and repair&nbsp;costs can range from $300 &#8211; $450&nbsp;per&nbsp;space.</p>
<p>Similarly,&nbsp;one of the biggest consequences&nbsp;is opportunity cost. Unnecessary parking is land that&nbsp;can\&#8217;t&nbsp;be used for&nbsp;additional&nbsp;housing, retail, office, green space, amenities, or&nbsp;future expansion.</p>
<p>To prevent overbuilding, Walker&nbsp;has&nbsp;assisted&nbsp;owners by conducting&nbsp;parking studies that document actual parking demand at proposed project sites. In several cases, those studies&nbsp;demonstrated&nbsp;that peak parking demand fell below the minimum parking requirements, allowing developers to present data-supported recommendations to zoning officials and reduce the number of spaces&nbsp;required.&nbsp;Parking&nbsp;minimums may be changing, but the need for thoughtful parking planning has not.</p>
<p>Parking minimums once answered&nbsp;the same&nbsp;question for every project, whether&nbsp;that&nbsp;answer&nbsp;fit&nbsp;or not.&nbsp;Developers&nbsp;now&nbsp;have&nbsp;both&nbsp;the opportunity and responsibility to answer&nbsp;it&nbsp;themselves.&nbsp;The goal&nbsp;is not&nbsp;less&nbsp;parking&nbsp;or&nbsp;more&nbsp;parking.&nbsp;It is the right&nbsp;amount of&nbsp;parking.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>*This article was written by a human and reviewed by a Walker Consultants expert</p>

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		<title>North Carolina Eliminates Mandatory Minimum Parking Requirements </title>
		<link>https://walkerconsultants.com/north-carolina-eliminates-mandatory-minimum-parking-requirements/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Meleny G]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:26:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Awards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Walker People]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://walkerconsultants.com/?p=25836</guid>

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			<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-26622" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-287x300.png" alt="" width="57" height="60" srcset="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-287x300.png 287w, https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-980x1024.png 980w, https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-768x803.png 768w, https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge.png 1035w" sizes="(max-width: 57px) 100vw, 57px" /> *Human Written Content</p>
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<p><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">Charlotte, N.C. (WALKER CONSULTANTS) </span></b><span data-contrast="auto">– A new North Carolina bill has eliminated </span><a href="https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H369"><span data-contrast="none">&#8220;off-street parking minimums&#8221;</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> statewide, and city and county governments will no longer have a say in parking requirements for new developments. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">In an effort to reduce car dependence and give developers greater flexibility, House Bill 369 removes local government authority to require a minimum number of off-street parking spaces for most new developments. Beginning January 1, 2027, parking will mostly become a market-driven decision rather than a zoning requirement.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The bill, however, is much more than parking. Supporters of the bill suggest that eliminating these requirements can reduce unnecessary paving, lower development costs, create opportunities for additional housing, and lessen the impacts associated with oversized parking lots.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Requiring parking beyond what a development actually needs not only increases project construction costs but can consume land that could support additional housing or amenity and other community spaces that would benefit the overall project. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Although this legislation removes parking minimums, it does not eliminate the need for parking or the benefits of using a parking planner as developers are now left with the responsibility of determining how much parking a project truly needs based on land use, market demand, transportation usage, and overall, long-term operational needs. Not enough parking can create operational disadvantages, and too much parking can unnecessarily increase project costs.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">&#8220;Deregulating parking minimums is a win for smarter development. It creates opportunities for more housing, better site design, and more efficient use of land. At the same time, it elevates the importance of data-driven parking planning to ensure each project delivers the right amount of parking—not too much and not too little,&#8221; <a href="https://walkerconsultants.com/about/team/jim-corbett/">Jim Corbett, Director of Planning at Walker Consultants</a>, said.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">North Carolina is one of several states rethinking how parking is regulated. Washington, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Montana have considered similar reforms, noting a growing conversation around how much parking new developments truly need.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">With the elimination of parking minimums, the conversation is no longer about meeting arbitrary requirements—it is about determining the right amount of parking for project success. Walker is actively tracking these changes and helping clients confidently answer the question: </span><i><span data-contrast="auto">How much parking do I really need?</span></i></p>
<p><span data-teams="true">*This article was written by a human and reviewed by a Walker Consultants expert</span></p>
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		<title>Mass Timber Parking</title>
		<link>https://walkerconsultants.com/mass-timber-parking/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Walker Consultants]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 21:57:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://walkerconferences.com/?p=24233</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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<div class="mt-article-header">
<h2>Mass Timber Parking</h2>
<div class="mt-subhead">Analyzing the cost and benefits of building structured parking out of wood</div>
</div>
<div class="mt-intro">
<p>Parking structures are among the most common buildings we construct and among the most carbon-intensive. Their wide open interior spaces are, at the same time, both highly adaptable and very difficult to change. This study begins with that tension and asks how parking might be built differently today.</p>
<p>For decades, parking structures have been treated as background infrastructure—optimized for efficiency, built almost entirely of concrete, and rarely designed with a future beyond vehicle storage. How might these structures respond to climate and long-term adaptability while still meeting the demands of today?</p>
<p>Developed in collaboration with Truebeck, Holmes, Walker Consultants, and Stantec, this study imagines a mass timber parking structure—given today&#8217;s techniques, constraints, and market realities—and finds it a surprisingly viable alternative.</p>
</div>
<div class="mt-caption"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20826 size-large" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Wendlingen-1024x663.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="663" /></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div class="mt-caption">&#8220;As mobility evolves, parking structures may disappear, persist, or transform into something else entirely. The only certainty is that their role will change.&#8221;</div>
<div class="mt-section">
<h2></h2>
<h2>Why Mass Timber</h2>
<p>Mass timber adoption is already visible across housing, workplace, and civic buildings. Parking remains one of the few major building types still dominated by concrete. That makes it an opportunity. Stand-alone parking structures rely on repetitive grids, open floor plates, and modular systems. These characteristics align with prefabricated timber systems and allow for direct comparison with conventional construction.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20852 size-large" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot_23-4-2026_153744_docs.google.com_-1024x654.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="654" /></p>
</div>
<div class="mt-section">
<h2>Approach: Testing Against a Baseline</h2>
<p>Rather than speculating on idealized futures, this study begins with a recently completed concrete parking structure and asks a direct question: what if this building were constructed in mass timber? Program, layout, and code assumptions are held constant. Structural systems, materials, and assemblies are varied. This approach isolates how design decisions affect carbon, cost, efficiency, durability, and adaptability.</p>
</div>
<div class="mt-section">
<h2><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20848 size-full" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot_23-4-2026_153627_.jpeg" alt="" width="961" height="955" /></h2>
<h2>Prototyping for Efficiency</h2>
<p>Mass timber framing configurations were tested to balance structural depth, floor-to-floor height, and wood volume with the overall parking experience of a user. While a long span system maximizes parking flexibility and sight lines, it drives up the beam depth and floor-to-floor height. Including columns along one side of the drive aisle (&#8220;medium span&#8221;) provides a good overall balance of efficiency, adaptability, and sustainability. Both long span and medium span systems were evaluated across carbon, cost, construction duration, and spatial efficiency.</p>
</div>
<div class="mt-section">
<h2><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20845 size-large" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Structure_How-it-Works-1024x663.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="663" /></h2>
<h2>Carbon, Code and Cost</h2>
<p>Embodied carbon can be reduced by up to 50%, driven primarily by replacing concrete slabs with timber. The building code (IBC) will allow up to six stories with 144,000 square feet per story for a total of approximately 2000 cars. Costs increase modestly in the range of 14–19%. The cost premium can be reduced by minimizing applied façade systems and expressing the wood structure as the visual signature of the building.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20843 size-large" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Prototype_1_info-1024x663.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="663" /></p>
</div>
<div class="mt-section">
<h2><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20844 size-large" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Prototype_1-1024x663.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="663" /></h2>
<h2>Performance Considerations</h2>
<p>Parking structures must meet a consistent set of requirements regardless of material. As part of the study, each system was evaluated against core performance criteria including safety, durability, waterproofing, efficiency, and structural stability. The analysis asks whether mass timber can meet these expectations within current standards.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20840 size-large" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Performance-Considerations-1024x663.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="663" /></p>
<p><strong>Safety</strong></p>
<div class="mt-carousel-wrap">
<div id="mt-performance-carousel" class="mt-carousel">
<div class="mt-card">
<ul>
<li>Fire resistance, EV charging risk, and code-compliant performance were treated as baseline requirements.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="mt-card">
<p><strong>Durability</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>The study examined how exposed timber can weather, endure, and perform over time with limited maintenance.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="mt-card">
<p><strong>Efficiency</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Each system was measured for stall yield, span performance, and floor-to-floor height.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="mt-card">
<p><strong>Stability</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Lateral systems, seismic demands, vibration, and constructability were evaluated alongside overall structural performance.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="mt-card">
<p><strong>Waterproofing</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Drainage, traffic coatings, and edge protection were evaluated to protect the structure from moisture exposure.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="mt-section">
<h2>Adaptability: Design for Change</h2>
<div class="mt-accordion">
<div class="mt-accordion-item active">
<div class="mt-accordion-content">
<p>With over 2 billion parking spaces in the United States, even a small shift in how these structures are designed has significant implications. This study explores adaptability as part of the typology itself. Mass timber&#8217;s kit-of-parts construction allows for disassembly, modification, and reuse, making future change more feasible than with post-tensioned concrete systems. As part of the study, floor-to-floor heights, ramp removal or reuse, utility flexibility, component disassembly, and two housing conversion scenarios were explored. Together, these tests frame the parking structure not as a fixed endpoint, but as a building that can evolve.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20841 size-large" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Housing_modular-units-1024x663.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="663" /></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&#8220;Mass timber is not a speculative alternative. It is a technically viable structural system for contemporary parking structures in the United States. The study demonstrates that a free-standing mass timber parking structure could meet current performance requirements while reducing embodied carbon and improving long-term adaptability.&#8221;</p>
<div class="mt-cta">
<p><strong><a href="https://wrnsstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Mass-Timber-Parking.pdf">Explore the Full Study</a></strong></p>
<p>*This article was written by a human and reviewed by a Walker Consultants expert <strong><br />
</strong></p>
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		<title>Sustainability Isn’t Just Environmental, It’s Operational. It’s Human.</title>
		<link>https://walkerconsultants.com/sustainability-isnt-just-environmental-its-operational-its-human/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Walker Consultants]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 21:44:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Earth day]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://walkerconferences.com/?p=24225</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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			<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-26622" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-287x300.png" alt="" width="57" height="60" srcset="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-287x300.png 287w, https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-980x1024.png 980w, https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge-768x803.png 768w, https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Human-made-badge.png 1035w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 57px) 100vw, 57px" /> *Human Written Content</p>
<div class="wc-sus-blog">
<p class="wc-lead">Imagine this: you&#8217;re circling a parking garage for 10 minutes looking for an open space. You&#8217;re late for an important event, irritated, and now you&#8217;ve burned more fuel than you meant to before you&#8217;ve even turned off the ignition.</p>
<p>You don&#8217;t have to imagine it. You&#8217;ve lived it.</p>
<p>Moments like this are so common that they barely register anymore. But they should. What feels like a minor inconvenience is often a sign of a system that isn&#8217;t working as well as it could.</p>
<div class="wc-callout">
<p><strong>Some of the most meaningful sustainability gains come from reducing waste before it happens.</strong></p>
</div>
<p>When people think about sustainability, they often picture what gets added to a building: solar panels, green roofs, EV charging stations and recycled materials. Those elements do matter. But some of the most meaningful environmental gains come from something less visible: reducing waste before it happens.</p>
<p>Sometimes sustainability looks like better movement. Less idling. Fewer wrong turns. Shorter wait times. Smoother arrivals. Less friction between people and the places they need to go.</p>
<div class="wc-divider"></div>
<h2>Where Thoughtful System Design Makes a Difference</h2>
<p>That&#8217;s where thoughtful system design comes in.</p>
<p>Tools like parking access and revenue control systems (PARCS), license plate recognition (LPR), and real-time stall detection can help drivers enter quickly, find spaces faster, and exit more efficiently. They improve convenience, but they also reduce circling, congestion, and unnecessary emissions.</p>
<div class="wc-soft"><strong>Better parking flow is not just a user-experience improvement. It is also an operational and sustainability improvement.</strong></div>
<p>Additionally, Parksmart is a leading certification for sustainable parking, promoting efficient, environmentally responsible parking facilities. And at Walker Consultants, we have <strong>16 Parksmart Advisors</strong> who can help guide parking projects through certification by assessing sustainability.</p>
<p>At the VHC Outpatient Pavilion Garage, systems like these support a high-traffic healthcare environment where time matters. Clear wayfinding, streamlined entry, and efficient parking flow help reduce delays for patients, visitors, and staff while improving the overall experience around the facility.</p>
<h2>The Bigger Idea Goes Beyond Parking</h2>
<p>The bigger idea extends far beyond parking.</p>
<p>Across cities, sustainability is increasingly shaped by how well everyday systems function. The Seattle Zero Emissions Loading Zones initiative rethinks urban deliveries by shifting trips to e-cargo bikes. Our Transportation Equity Study for the City of Peoria focuses on improving access and mobility so communities can reach jobs, services, and opportunities more efficiently. Transit microgrids and multi-modal resiliency hubs connect transportation, energy, and public infrastructure to support cleaner, more reliable movement.</p>
<div class="wc-pillars">
<div class="wc-pillar"><strong>Reduce</strong><br />
Unnecessary movement</div>
<div class="wc-pillar"><strong>Use</strong><br />
Resources more wisely</div>
<div class="wc-pillar"><strong>Design</strong><br />
Systems that work better for people</div>
</div>
<h2>What Sustainability Also Means</h2>
<p>Because sustainability is not only about what we install. It is also about what we eliminate: wasted time, wasted energy, wasted motion, and avoidable frustration.</p>
<div class="wc-callout">
<p><strong>The most effective sustainability strategies are often the ones people never notice. They simply feel easier, faster, and better.</strong></p>
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<p>And over time, those invisible improvements can make a visible difference.</p>
<p>&#8221; *This article was written by a human and reviewed by a Walker Consultants expert &#8221;</p>
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		<title>Understanding Revenue Loss in Gateless Parking: Why Enforcement Still Requires a Human Touch</title>
		<link>https://walkerconsultants.com/understanding-revenue-loss-in-gateless-parking-why-enforcement-still-requires-a-human-touch/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Walker Consultants]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 16:46:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://walkerconferences.com/?p=21594</guid>

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<p>Gateless parking systems using <strong>License Plate Recognition (LPR)</strong> provide speed, convenience, and reduced operational costs. As a result, they are becoming increasingly popular among private and public operators seeking to modernize their facilities. However, relying solely on technology for enforcement can lead to the loss of a critical element: <strong>compliance</strong>. Without effective follow-up mechanisms, LPR-based systems become vulnerable to <strong>revenue leakage</strong> &#8211; the loss of expected income due to incomplete or failed payment collection.</p>
<p>In private settings, where legal authority is limited to civil enforcement, this risk is even more pronounced. Private operators often lack direct access to Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records. When LPR systems flag a vehicle without a valid payment or permit, enforcement relies on third-party skip tracing to locate and contact the vehicle owner. Industry experience shows that match rates in private operations are often below<strong> 60%</strong>, and only a portion of those contacted respond. This dynamic can result in revenue losses of <strong>10-15%</strong>, particularly in facilities with inadequate signage or unclear follow-up procedures.</p>
<p>Even when a plate is captured, real-world conditions complicate enforcement. Out-of-state registrations, leased vehicles, temporary tags, and data mismatches often make follow-up impossible. Some advanced systems, particularly in international markets, report session accuracy rates of <strong>99%</strong> or higher. However, these figures typically reflect internal tracking performance, not the ability to identify the driver or recover payment. That distinction matters. A system may perfectly log that a vehicle was present, but that doesn&#8217;t mean it can secure payment afterward.</p>
<p>California operators face additional complexity. Privacy laws and consumer protection regulations shape how and when parkers can be contacted. Public agencies are increasingly using indigent or hardship payment plans, striking a balance between equitable access and practical enforcement. These frameworks make it even more important to emphasize voluntary compliance rather than relying solely on post-visit collections.</p>
<p>Many failed transactions are not intentional. Parkers forget, make simple errors, or<strong> experience friction</strong> at the point of payment. Small mistakes, like entering an &#8220;O&#8221; instead of a zero, can prevent the system from recognizing a valid transaction. Fuzzy logic and deferred payment programs<br />
enable operators to identify these near-misses, providing customers with a brief window to self-correct before escalation.</p>
<p>Clarity in design plays a major role.<strong> Poor signage</strong>, <strong>confusing kiosks</strong>, and <strong>unintuitive apps reduce compliance</strong>. Well-placed, regulation-compliant signage and simple digital workflows significantly improve outcomes before enforcement is ever required.</p>
<p>Still, technology has limits. LPR cannot interpret broken equipment, construction closures, valid placards, or special events. It cannot exercise discretion. This is where <strong>trained enforcement staff</strong> remain essential. Their presence improves accuracy, resolves edge cases, and acts as a deterrent.</p>
<p>This isn&#8217;t about reverting to older models. It&#8217;s about <strong>enhancing automation with human judgment</strong>. A hybrid approach is not just practical-it&#8217;s necessary.</p>
<p>Some operators are closing the gap by combining gateless entry with controlled exits or pay-before-exit systems. These models preserve customer convenience while tightening revenue control. When paired with LPR data and human oversight, operators can analyze patterns, adjust staffing levels and ultimately reduce revenue loss over time.</p>
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<h3>Layered approach</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>LPR</strong> for automation</li>
<li><strong>Deferred payment</strong> for resolution</li>
<li><strong>Human enforcement</strong> for judgment</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin: 12px 0 0; opacity: 0.9;">Technology is the engine. People provide the brakes and the steering. Together, they make the system smarter.</p>
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<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p><strong><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-20553" src="https://walkerconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/S_251021_N2_webview.jpg" alt="Shakesha Holmes - Walker Consultants Mobility and Parking Planner" width="377" height="252" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Shakesha Holmes</strong> is a Mobility and Parking Planner with Walker Consultants in Atlanta, where she supports public and private clients in improving curbside management, enforcement, and paid parking operations. She brings over a decade of industry experience across municipal programs, hospitality, healthcare, and higher education. Shakesha holds a BA in Professional Studies from Purdue University and serves as a site reviewer for IPMI&#8217;s Accredited Parking Organization (APO) program. She is also active in the Women&#8217;s Advisory Forum, IPMI, and the National Parking Association.</p>
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		<title>Introducing: Walker&#8217;s Kansas City Office</title>
		<link>https://walkerconsultants.com/introducing-walkers-kansas-city-office/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Walker Consultants]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:40:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://walkerconsultants.com/?p=20055</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;re excited to announce the opening of Walker&#8217;s new office in Kansas City. While our local experts have supported projects in the city and across the region, our new brick-and-mortar location deepens our commitment to the area and provides a...]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[We&#8217;re excited to announce the opening of Walker&#8217;s new office in <a href="https://walkerconsultants.com/contact-us/locations/kansas-city-mo/">Kansas City</a>. While our local experts have supported projects in the city and across the region, our new brick-and-mortar location deepens our commitment to the area and provides a base for exceptional client service.

From building envelope consulting to property condition assessments, parking design and consulting, restoration, and beyond — we&#8217;re proud to offer our full range of services right here in KC.
<h3>Meet Our Local Experts</h3>
<a href="https://walkerconsultants.com/about/team/joelle-e-lattimer-pe/">Joelle Lattimer</a>, PE, CxA+BE, BECxP, and <a href="https://walkerconsultants.com/about/team/brian-w-hulsey-pe/">Brian Hulsey</a>, PE are our local leaders and experts in Kansas City.
<h4><a href="https://walkerconsultants.com/contact-us/locations/kansas-city-mo/">Contact our Team</a></h4>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>Walker Wins Three IPMI Awards of Excellence</title>
		<link>https://walkerconsultants.com/walker-wins-three-ipmi-awards-of-excellence/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Walker Consultants]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2025 15:00:16 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Awards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://walkerconsultants.com/?p=19868</guid>

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			<p>Walker was recognized by the <a href="https://parking-mobility-magazine.org/2025-ipmi-awards/2025-ipmi-awards-of-excellence/">International Parking &amp; Mobility Institute (IPMI)</a> with an Apex Award in the Architecture Design category and in the Facility Design: Stand-Alone category for the <a href="https://walkerconsultants.com/projects/stamford-transportation-center/">Stamford Transportation Center Garage.</a></p>

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			<p>The garage is one of the first prominent structures drivers see when approaching downtown Stamford from the south, whether via I-95 or city streets, so its façade needed to be iconic.</p>

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			<p>IMPI also recognized Walker&#8217;s <a href="https://walkerconsultants.com/projects/christian-street-parking-garage/">Christian Street Garage</a> Facility in the Design: Mixed-Use category.</p>

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			<p>This project integrates essential infrastructure and takes a holistic approach to urban renewal. It serves as a cornerstone for enhancing community interactions and catalyzing urban revitalization.</p>

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		<title>Be Ready for Today and Tomorrow with EVCS</title>
		<link>https://walkerconsultants.com/be-ready-for-today-and-tomorrow-with-evcs/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Walker Consultants]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2024 13:36:21 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Design/Consulting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Studies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electric vehicle charging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electric vehicles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[evcs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sustainability]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://walkerconsultants.com/?p=18479</guid>

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			<p>Embracing the future of transportation, offering electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) at your parking facility adds to its level of service and represents a forward-thinking commitment to sustainability and customer satisfaction. As you consider the integration of EVCS into your facilities, Walker Consultants is ready to guide you towards a greener, more efficient tomorrow.</p>

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			<h3>Understanding EVCS and the Components</h3>
<p>EVCS are essential for powering up the increasing number of electric vehicles hitting our roads. From level 1 and level 2 chargers providing standard charging options to the rapid power of DC fast chargers, selecting the appropriate charging solution is critical for catering to your needs.</p>
<h3>Customization: Decisions and Directions</h3>
<p>Determining the ideal mix of chargers for your parking structure involves a deep dive into your specific requirements and the electric vehicle trends among your clientele. Whether the need is in long-term parking or specialized spots for taxis and rideshares, deciding on the quantity and location of chargers requires strategic insight. We&#8217;ll help you plan for the right system, supporting your facility from inception to implementation.</p>
<h3>Partner with us for Your EVCS Implementation</h3>
<p>With a proven track record of assisting clients with the seamless installation of EVCS, we will lead you through this transition. Our expertise spans from evaluating your garage&#8217;s charging demands to meeting ADA standards, positioning you to lead in the adoption of green technology.</p>

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			<p>Electric vehicle charging stations are not just infrastructure improvements; they are a statement to travelers about your dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility.</p>
<p>Embark on this electrifying journey with us! Contact <a href="http://PCIP">Erik Nelson, PCIP</a> or <a href="https://walkerconsultants.com/about/team/geoff-posluszny-cpp/">Geoffrey Posluszny, CPP</a> today to discuss how we can facilitate your successful adoption of EVCS.</p>

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			<p>Check out some of our EVCS projects below.</p>

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