Colleges and universities have long been at the crossroads of innovation and tradition—and nowhere is that more apparent than in how they manage parking. The newly released 2025 Parking Tech Stack Report sheds light on how over 240 higher education institutions across North America are rethinking their parking operations, and the results reveal a sector in the midst of digital transformation.
Colleges and universities have long been at the crossroads of innovation and tradition—and nowhere is that more apparent than in how they manage parking. The newly released 2025 Parking Tech Stack Report sheds light on how over 240 higher education institutions across North America are rethinking their parking operations, and the results reveal a sector in the midst of digital transformation.
Here are the big takeaways every parking professional should know.
Hangtags and decals aren’t gone yet, but the report makes it clear: virtual permits are now the new normal. Nearly two-thirds of universities have adopted digital credentials, streamlining access for students, faculty, and departments .
The benefits are obvious—reduced administrative hassle, quicker validations, and fewer lost or damaged permits. For universities still clinging to physical passes, the writing is on the wall.
No single system can do it all, and universities know it. Many campuses use one vendor for permits, another for mobile payments, and yet another for guest access . While this “best of breed” approach offers flexibility, it also introduces complexity—especially when guest parking doesn’t fit neatly into traditional permit management systems.
This fragmentation is driving demand for solutions that can integrate smoothly across platforms, without creating administrative headaches.
If 2020 was about experimenting with contactless solutions, 2025 is about scaling them. LPR has quickly become the go-to tool for enforcement, thanks to its ability to validate virtual permits and mobile payments seamlessly .
Universities value LPR’s scalability—whether it’s vehicle-mounted systems for patrols or fixed cameras at entry points. Combined with virtual permits, LPR reduces reliance on physical infrastructure while providing better compliance insights.
While digital transformation is well underway, guest and visitor parking remains a sticking point. Nearly 30% of schools have turned to separate vendors for guest management . Why? Because traditional systems often weren’t built with visitors in mind.
Common challenges include:
In short: the student parking experience may be streamlined, but guests are often left in the dust.
The report highlights that technology alone isn’t enough—vendor relationships matter. Universities value providers who:
Parking technology is only as strong as the partnerships behind it, and campuses are making buying decisions accordingly.
Campus parking is often a testing ground for broader mobility innovations. The trends seen here—virtual permits, LPR enforcement, flexible guest access—are quickly spreading to municipalities, hospitals, and corporate campuses.
For decision-makers, the 2025 Parking Tech Stack Report is both a snapshot and a roadmap: a look at where higher ed parking stands today, and a guide to where the entire industry is heading tomorrow.
✅ Next step: If you’re navigating similar challenges in your own parking operations, now’s the time to benchmark against these findings. Whether you’re debating virtual permits, weighing LPR investments, or wrestling with visitor parking, the lessons from higher ed can help shape smarter strategies.
