Shifting Strategies in North American Cities: The Rise of Compliance-First Parking Management

New Trends in Parking Management Across North America

Cities in North America are experiencing a significant shift in their approach to parking management. A recent study conducted by Passport, a leader in curb management technology, indicates that many municipalities are transitioning towards compliance-first strategies, focusing not merely on citation counts but on enhancing operational efficiency and encouraging proper parking behaviors.

The results of the Passport 2025 Parking Compliance Trends Survey highlight that almost half of the cities surveyed consider compliance their primary parking management goal. This marks a notable departure from traditional methods that emphasize issuing tickets as a measure of performance. According to Khristian Gutierrez, CEO of Passport, municipalities are increasingly investing in technologies aimed at promoting payment compliance and modernizing their curbside operations.

Digital payment solutions are playing a critical role in this transformation. The survey revealed that many cities now conduct between 26% to 75% of parking transactions through mobile payment platforms. This trend is more pronounced in larger metropolitan areas, while smaller municipalities still face challenges in achieving high rates of digital adoption. As cities enhance their enforcement tactics and invest in relevant software, a significant increase in mobile payment usage is anticipated, with many cities aiming to exceed the 75% benchmark by the year 2026.

Moreover, more than half of the cities have already adopted digital permits based on license plate recognition, which aligns well with the push towards automated and efficient parking management. The technology that has been recognized as having the most substantial impact on efficiency is mobile enforcement software, which allows for streamlined compliance procedures and improved enforcement capabilities.

Despite these advancements, the study highlights persistent challenges involving human factors and public perception. Limited staff for enforcement and resistance from the community are issues often cited as more significant barriers than technological shortcomings. This analysis indicates that achieving compliance is equally about fostering community trust and enhancing the human aspect of enforcement.

The criteria for measuring success in parking management is also evolving. While increases in paid parking transactions are the most commonly used metric, reliance on citation counts still persists in many areas. This reflects a gradual transition toward models that prioritize outcomes and effectiveness over sheer volume of fines collected.

Looking ahead, industry professionals anticipate further integration of digital enforcement and connected systems within municipal parking strategies. Gene Rohrwasser, CTO of Passport, emphasized that as systems become more interconnected and data becomes actionable, municipalities will more easily implement and scale compliance-first strategies.

The Passport platform, having already processed over $4 billion in curbside payments and currently serving over 800 municipalities in the U.S. and Canada—including a notable partnership with the City of Boston—illustrates the increasing reliance on technology to tackle modern mobility issues. With its tools like digital permits and mobile parking payments, Passport not only transforms how cities manage parking but also empowers local governments to create community-centered solutions.

To dive deeper into the findings of this transformative study, visit Passport’s trends report.

About Passport

Passport is a leading technology partner for over 800 cities and private parking operators in North America. The company aims to simplify the management and monetization of curb spaces, helping local leaders enhance compliance, discover new revenue streams, and effectively address the evolving mobility needs of their communities.