The International Parking & Mobility Conference in Louisville offered more than just a snapshot of where the industry is headed — it confirmed that digital infrastructure and curb management are essential topics.
This year’s conference held three key takeaways for the OMF:
Digital infrastructure is center stage
It’s no longer a question of “if” the technology exists to manage dynamic curbs: the cameras and sensors are there. Now, there’s a greater focus on the broader context of managing digital infrastructure at the city level. Digital infrastructure systems need to advance; these tools, regulations, and processes create the playing field for that technology to be successfully implemented.
We talked with many attendees about how adopting the Curb Data Specification (CDS) is no longer about a one-off city project but instead about unlocking a shared ecosystem and creating the kind of foundational tools needed to support new technologies. The ecosystem that CDS can unlock is one where a single technical integration can help a product more easily scale to dozens or even hundreds of jurisdictions.
Industry and cities alike are recognizing the benefits of standardizing data
Data specifications aren’t just about giving cities more control over their streets — they also benefit the private sector. When cities set clear expectations for how mobility tech companies should share data, everyone wins. Companies can spend less time building custom integrations that need to be individually tailored to each city, and more time driving innovation and delivering value. This collaborative approach is a smarter way to work, and, as we witnessed at IPMI: it’s starting to catch on.
It’s time we reframe how we think about curbs
Attendees were also asking big questions about our digital public space: What would happen if we stopped thinking of the curb as physical infrastructure and started also thinking of the curb as a strategy? The curb can help cities reach emissions and livability goals: it’s no longer just a piece of cement (or stone, or concrete.)
In Portland, Oregon, a member of the OMF’s SMART Curb Collaborative, curb management was used to advance climate policy goals by piloting a zero-emission delivery zone using CDS. This innovative project is one example of how smart curb strategies can directly advance environmental goals. If your agency is focused on climate, equity, or even economic vitality, it may be time to think differently about the curb.
Beyond the formal sessions, we were proud to host members and friends at a social event co-hosted by OMF Member Passport, as well as a bike tour of Louisville — thanks to support from OMF member Modii, and from Lime, who provided the e-bikes that made it possible. Conferences like IPMI aren’t just about what you learn—they’re about who you connect with. And being part of the OMF community means getting invited to exclusive, meaningful experiences like these. If your organization wants to be part of that movement, we’d love to connect.
Thanks to everyone who made this year’s IPMI Conference so valuable. We left Louisville energized, inspired, and more convinced than ever that the future of mobility is open, connected, and collaborative.
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