International Parking Institute kicks off Nashville meeting

Friday, May 13, 2016, Vol. 40, No. 20

NASHVILLE (AP) — The International Parking Institute is holding its annual meeting in Nashville this week.

Organizers say more than 3,500 people from 45 countries are expected to attend the event starting Wednesday.

Topics of discussion will include the latest developments in parking, including finding and paying for spots through mobile devices, how to accommodate driverless cars and technological developments in meters and sensors.

The conference will also address environmental sustainability and urban planning efforts to make cities less congested and more walkable.

The organization is also promoting efforts to draw awareness to the dangers of leaving children in unattended parked cars, especially as temperatures start to rise in the summer months.

According to meteorologist Jan Null of San Jose State University, 667 people have died from heat stroke in vehicles since 1998.