The NC State University Transportation Department recently earned status as an Accredited Parking Organization (APO) with Distinction, joining an elite class of the top organizations in the parking, transportation, and mobility industry. APO is a designation for organizations that recognizes best practices in responsible parking management and operations, customer service, professional development, sustainability and access management, safety, data security and risk management, and more.

 “This achievement is the top benchmark of success in our industry, and it follows a comprehensive documentation and review process,” explained Shawn Conrad, CAE, CEO of the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI), the organization that sets the standards for APO Accreditation and Accreditation with Distinction. The APO program recognizes industry standards that develop, ensure, and support a high level of professionalism and competency in parking, transportation, and mobility management. “Only best-of-class organizations can meet the demanding level of excellence required to gain accreditation,” Conrad continued.

To earn the APO Accreditation, an organization demonstrates its commitment to ongoing evaluation and improvement by implementing industry best practices. Applicant organizations work with third-party reviewers to organize and present evidence of accomplishment of more than 100 criteria in 14 categories, in addition to 25 required criteria. To earn the next level of accreditation, APO with Distinction, these organizations must meet more than 60 additional exceptional and progressive best practices across those same categories. Both require that at least one facility is evaluated and meets the criteria established by the Accreditation Board.

 “Parking at an accredited facility or operation assures the public that the parking organization adheres to a strict code of ethics and meets national and internationally endorsed standards for professionalism, accountability, responsibility, and performance,” Conrad said. “These organizations represent the top tier of service and performance in the parking and mobility sector and set the bar for all others to follow.”

NC State Transportation provides comprehensive parking management and innovative transportation solutions to serve the NC State University community. With the oversight of a 20,000-space parking inventory, the department handles everything from daily parking services and facility maintenance—for vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles alike—to campus transit services and alternative transportation modes designed to curb vehicle congestion and lower emissions. Authorized by the Board of Trustees, the department delivers accessible, efficient, and sustainable transit options while maintaining top-tier campus facilities.