EP 9: Parking Enforcement Innovations with Isaiah Mouw and a "Quirky" Conversation with Larry Cohen

Insights from the Parking Industry: Innovations, Entertainment, and Unconventional Ventures

We sat down with Isaiah Mouw, president of PAVE Mobility, who delves into the complexities, untapped potential, and innovations around gateless parking and automated enforcement in the parking industry.

Part two uncovers the journey of a self-published author who narrates his humorous experiences in the parking industry. Larry Cohen, CAPP talks about his decision to self-publish, the process of writing his follow-up book, and his ambitions of turning his parking adventures into a comedy TV show. 

Isaiah is a veteran when it comes to parking podcasts. He is the host of The Parking Podcast, a show about the $100 billion parking industry and the people that make it go. (Check out when the roles were reversed and Brian was a guest on Isaiah’s show here.)

In the show, Isaiah shared compelling data on the benefits of transitioning to a gateless parking system. He noted that the initial investment in cameras and signage for a frictionless parking system is on par with that of a gated solution. 

However, the gateless system has the potential to outperform in terms of revenue generation. Studies have shown that when people pay for parking in advance, they tend to spend more, leading to increased transient revenue. Surprisingly, about 84% of parkers still pay without the presence of gates, often resulting in higher revenue collection compared to gated facilities.

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:

• Revolutionizing Parking with Tech: We dove deep into the world of automated parking enforcement and how it's changing the game. Imagine a world without the hassle of gates, where license plate recognition technology does all the work. Isaiah shared how this tech not only saves costs but could potentially boost revenue more than traditional gated systems.
• The Human Side of Parking: Despite all the tech talk, we didn't forget the human element. Isaiah stressed the importance of customer service and maintaining a positive reputation in the industry. He even shared his own strategies for handling public interactions, given his introverted nature. It's a reminder that behind every parking space, there's a person making it all happen.
• Career Journeys and Sacrifices: Larry Cohen, CAPP opened up about the sacrifices he made in his 20s, putting his career first to excel in the parking industry. He shared the reality of the job's demands and the need for flexibility and mobility to climb the ladder. It's a candid look at the personal side of professional growth in our field.

Be sure to check out these great clips from the show:

Automated Parking Enforcement (00:02:51)

We talk about automated parking enforcement, comparisons to gated facilities, and best practices.

Isaiah's Journey to Parking (00:06:51)

Isaiah shares his journey into the parking industry, including how he transitioned from working at a bank to joining Republic Parking.

Introduction to PAVE Mobility and Automated Parking Enforcement (00:11:02)

Isaiah explains the role of PAVE Mobility and details the process of automated parking enforcement using license plate recognition technology.

Isaiah's Experience in Sales and Operations (00:13:13)

Isaiah discusses his transition to a sales-focused role and the importance of maintaining a good reputation in the industry.

Communication and Technology in Parking (00:16:07)

The conversation touches on the importance of communication in the parking industry and the significance of picking up phone calls.

Comparison of Gated Facilities and Automated Enforcement (00:19:52)

Isaiah provides insights into the use cases of gated facilities and the benefits of automated enforcement, particularly in budget-constrained situations.

Revenue Increase without Gates (00:21:38)

Exploration of the increased revenue potential with advance payments, changes in rate structure, and the impact of gateless parking on revenue.

Challenges of Parking Enforcement (00:23:33)

Exploration of the challenges and benefits of automated parking enforcement, the impact of fines on customers, and the need for fair enforcement practices.

Advocacy and Education in Parking Industry (00:30:53)

Discussion on the need for industry advocacy, self-regulation, and education to improve parking practices and customer understanding.

Honorary Titles and Personal Achievements (00:34:48)

Insight into receiving honorary titles such as "Kentucky Colonel" and "Arkansas Traveler," and the personal achievements in swimming a ten-mile race.

Personal and Professional Mantras (00:39:25)

Exploration of personal and professional mantras, including the importance of teamwork and the impact of hard work on personal and professional growth.

Isaiah's Ultramarathon Experience (00:41:08)

Isaiah shares his experience training for and completing a 50k ultramarathon race, highlighting the challenges and mental toughness required.

Dealing with Public Conflict (00:43:10)

Isaiah discusses the challenges of public conflict and resistance when implementing paid parking programs, emphasizing the difficulty of facing business owners' opposition.

The Hardest Thing About Parking Job (00:43:54)

Isaiah reflects on the personal challenges of being an introvert and dealing with public exposure and conflict in his parking career.

Fixing Abuse Faced by Frontline Staff (00:45:11)

Isaiah expresses the need to address and end the abuse faced by frontline parking staff, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and valuing their contributions.

Unusual Hobbies and Interests (00:46:00)

Isaiah shares his diverse interests, including visiting famous grave sites, collecting parking artifacts, and exploring national parks.

Writing and Publishing a Book (00:54:15)

Larry Cohen, CAPP discusses the inspiration behind writing a book, detailing his process of writing and publishing "The Quirky World of Parking" and sharing a captivating story from the book.

Employee's Lego Room and Money Laundering (01:00:53)

Larry recounts a fascinating and cautionary tale of an employee using a Lego room to launder money, highlighting the unexpected challenges faced in parking management.

Parking 40 Years Ago and How Far It's Come (01:02:16)

Discussion on the early days of parking, including valet parking and the use of shoeboxes for money collection.

Evolution of Parking Technology (01:03:14)

Exploration of the introduction of gate arms and treadmills in parking facilities, and the shift to license plate recognition technology.

Writing and Publishing a Book (01:03:57)

Insights into the process of writing and publishing a book, including the challenges of...