Summary
Details
- Global
- The United States of America (USA)
Parksmart is not legally mandatory.
It can become practically required where:
A developer commits to Parksmart certification.
A public procurement process references Parksmart.
A city, airport, hospital or campus requires certification.
A lender or investor requires it.
A parking asset is marketed as certified.
A sustainability-linked financing condition references Parksmart.
In most cases, Parksmart is voluntary and used to demonstrate sustainable parking and mobility performance.
Deep dive
- What’s Required
- 1. Certification for parking structures
- 2. Design and operations performance
- 3. Mobility integration
- 4. Certification process and review
- 5. Current pilot context
- Important Deadlines
- Current Status
- Penalties for Non-Compliance
- 1. Certification refusal
- 2. Lower certification outcome
- 3. Loss of contractual benefits
- 4. Reputational risk
- 5. Operational risk
- Examples of Known Violations / Failure Modes
- Resources
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What’s Required
1. Certification for parking structures
Parksmart is designed specifically for parking structures. The program describes itself as the world’s only certification system designed to advance sustainable mobility through smarter parking structure design and operation.
Projects need to define:
Parking facility boundary.
New or existing structure status.
Ownership and operator roles.
Design and operations scope.
Mobility services.
Energy and ventilation systems.
Documentation responsibilities.
Certification target.
2. Design and operations performance
Parksmart evaluates both physical design and operational practices. The framework can address energy efficiency, guidance systems, idle reduction, EV fueling stations, car sharing, bicycle parking, and stormwater practices.
Projects may need to document:
Efficient lighting.
Efficient ventilation.
Energy management.
Water and stormwater practices.
Material considerations.
Cleaning and maintenance procedures.
Safety and user experience.
Parking guidance and technology.
Facility management policies.
3. Mobility integration
Parksmart treats parking as part of a broader mobility system rather than a stand-alone facility.
Relevant measures can include:
EV charging.
Car sharing.
Bicycle parking.
Transit connections.
Pedestrian access.
Wayfinding.
Transportation demand management.
Reduced idling.
Smart parking systems.
Shared mobility integration.
4. Certification process and review
GBCI continues to administer Parksmart certification, including technical reviews and project certification services. IPMI now leads Parksmart market engagement and program growth.
Project teams should prepare:
Certification documentation.
Facility data.
Drawings or plans.
Operations policies.
Technology specifications.
Energy and ventilation information.
Mobility program evidence.
GBCI review responses.
5. Current pilot context
IPMI and GBCI are also testing a new pilot version of Parksmart, available through the current Parksmart program site.
Projects should confirm which version or pathway applies before registering.
Important Deadlines
Parksmart is voluntary, so there is no universal legal deadline.
Important timing points:
Certification timing depends on project registration, documentation, and review.
GBCI review is required before certification is awarded.
IPMI and GBCI are currently testing a new pilot version of Parksmart.
Projects should confirm the current guide, rating system, and certification process before applying.
Current Status
Parksmart is active. IPMI leads the program’s market engagement and industry growth, while GBCI continues to administer certification, technical reviews, and project certification services.
Current status:
Active certification system.
Focused on parking structures.
Formerly Green Garage Certification.
Led by IPMI for market engagement.
Administered by GBCI for certification review.
New pilot version is being tested.
Relevant to EV readiness, smart parking, and sustainable mobility.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Parksmart does not impose statutory penalties.
Possible consequences include:
1. Certification refusal
A project may fail certification if documentation or performance does not meet requirements.
2. Lower certification outcome
A project may receive a lower level or fail to achieve its intended certification target.
3. Loss of contractual benefits
If certification is tied to procurement, finance, lease terms, or public commitments, failure may create commercial consequences.
4. Reputational risk
Sustainable parking, EV-ready or smart mobility claims may be challenged if they are not backed by certification evidence.
5. Operational risk
Poor ventilation, lighting, mobility design or EV infrastructure planning can increase costs and undermine performance.
Examples of Known Violations / Failure Modes
Typical failure modes include:
Claiming Parksmart certification before GBCI awards it.
Treating EV chargers alone as proof of sustainable parking.
Ignoring ventilation energy impacts.
Using incomplete lighting or energy documentation.
Overstating mobility benefits.
Excluding operations from the project scope.
Failing to document transportation demand management.
Ignoring bicycle, pedestrian, or transit integration.
Treating Parksmart as a replacement for building or parking regulations.
Not updating documentation after facility upgrades.
Submitting unclear project boundaries.
Making sustainable mobility claims without operational data.
Resources
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