From Data to Decisions: Building Smarter Parking Operations

Explore Technology, Data, and Innovation at MAPTA 2026

Parking organizations have access to more technology and information than ever before. But having more data, more systems, and more tools doesn't automatically create a smarter operation.

That's a theme running throughout the 2026 MAPTA Conference, where parking professionals will share how they're using technology, data, and new approaches to solve real operational challenges. Take a look below at how some of the MAPTA sessions will help attendees turn these resources into better decisions.

Modernization With a Purpose

When the City of Virginia Beach began evaluating new technology for parking at its convention center and sports complex, the goal wasn't simply to replace existing equipment. The city wanted better operational intelligence.

“Smarter Lots, Smarter City: Virginia Beach's Vision AI Parking Transformation” will explore that journey and the deployment of technology across seven lots and 2,350 spaces, including real-time occupancy monitoring, LPR-to-Spot vehicle tracking, automated violation detection, dynamic signage, and system integrations.

It's a useful example of a larger question facing parking organizations: What should modern technology actually help us accomplish?

Put Your Data to Work

The Parking Authority of Baltimore City is tackling another common challenge: determining which data matters and how to use it. “Data That's Driving Decisions & Actions” will share lessons from the Authority's work across meters, residential permit parking, garage operations, and EV charging, moving from collecting information to applying it to operational and policy decisions.

Data can also help uncover opportunities. “From Overlooked to Optimized: A Practical Playbook for Maximizing Parking Revenue” will examine how factors such as visibility, driver behavior, and pricing strategy can help operators identify revenue opportunities they may be missing.

Rethink the Everyday Workflow

Sometimes modernization starts with processes that have simply been done the same way for years. The University of Virginia will share how it transformed summer conference parking from a resource-heavy process involving spreadsheets, paper permits, and manual coordination into a digital workflow designed to improve efficiency and the customer experience.

Together, these sessions reinforce an important point: smarter parking isn't about technology for technology's sake. It's about finding better ways to use information, improve processes, solve problems, and make decisions.

Join us at the 2026 MAPTA Conference and discover new ideas you can put to work in your own operation.