While some may argue that an award-winning parking project is any that doesn't get built, the International Parking Institute has identified projects from across the country that have taken parking lot innovation to the next level.
The International Parking Institute, "the biggest association for parking professionals in America", has just released their picks for their annual 2012 Awards of Exellence for what they consider to be the best "high-tech, sustainable parking lots across the U.S."
This year's winners were selected based on their abilities to "exemplify the fact that our industry is no longer just about parking cars; it's about being part of transportation solutions, relieving traffic congestion, taking a leadership role in reducing our carbon footprint and so much more," as IPI Executive Director Shawn Conrad states. Categories include "Award for Architectural Achievement", "Best Design of a Parking Facility with Fewer than 800 Spaces", and "Best Design/Implementation of a Surface Parking Lot."
A history of the IPI stemming back to 1948, is available on their website. There is also a list of previous winners from past competitions dating back to 1998.
FULL STORY: Can a Parking Lot be 'Excellent'? You Betcha

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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research