OSPE-FCC October Virtual Program

Date:  Thursday, October 21, 2021

Location: Zoom Meeting, 12:00pm -1:00pm

RegistrationCLICK HERE

Registration closes at 5:00 pm, October 18, 2021, Be sure to include your membership number.

After registration is closed and prior to the presentation a Zoom link will be sent to the registrants.

Cost: Cost $10.00, Members of NSPE and members OSPE/FCC are free.

Title: “Leveraging “Smart” Technology to Maximize Use of Public Parking in Historic District”

Abstract: The City of Westerville, Ohio was settled in 1809 and founded in 1858. Although now one of the largest suburban communities to Columbus, Westerville began with its own downtown, known as “Uptown,” located a block from then-Otterbein College. Uptown Westerville was the site of the Anti-Saloon League, an organization that established their headquarters in town to chart the course toward Prohibition.

Uptown Westerville is now a historic district with charming shopping, dining, entertainment and retail. The demand for public parking to reach these destinations has increased steadily over the years. Major events, like Westerville’s 4th Fridays, bring thousands of visitors to the district to explore the old-generation downtown that promises new-generation fun and features.

Residents, merchants and visitors adopted the idea that parking was scarce, primarily at the storefront entry. Parking counts and walk-to-shop sites were less than persuasive. Ultimately, City staff recommended a technology solution to study and evaluate the supply and demand realities of public parking in the district.

The Uptown Smart Parking pilot has paired technology with asphalt in the installation of over 350 sensor “pucks” in four Uptown lots. The “pucks” collect data on lot usage and allow real time space availability to be shared with users of a smartphone app.  Along with a robust signage program, the data is the process of mass collection to inform parking requirements as the district continues to thrive, and to grow.

Biography: Scott Tourville has served as the City Engineer for Westerville, Ohio since 2018.  Prior to that, he was the City Engineer for Pickerington, Ohio for nearly five years and was a staff engineer at Westerville from 2007-2013.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. 

In his current role he leads a team of nine total engineering staff serving the city, including design and construction of Capital Improvement Projects, oversight of private site development, traffic, right of way management, and other related activities.  

When not at work, Scott enjoys spending time with his family and friends, being outside golfing or fishing, and working out.

Biography: Jennifer Alford is a civil engineer with more than 24 years of design and analysis experience in traffic, highway, and site/civil engineering. She holds professional licenses as Professional Engineer and Professional Traffic Operations Engineer. Jennifer has served as the City of Westerville's Traffic Engineer since December 2017, where her role involves being a problem solver, human psychologist (understanding people's interesting driving habits) and an integral part of the city design team to develop safe and people-friendly environments. Her current projects include Westerville's Strategic Mobility Plan, COTA//Plus, Smart Parking, along with signage, intersection, signals, speed limit, and multi-mode integration management.  

She currently serves as co-chair of MORPC's Active Transportation Committee. Jennifer has been involved with many engineering organizations over the years - including the American Society of Highway Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Women’s Transportation Seminar, and Engineers Without Borders. In 2006, she was named the Ohio Young Engineer of the Year by the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers for the State of Ohio and Franklin County, and served the Engineers’ Club of Columbus as president in 2006-2007. She is a graduate of the Ohio State University.

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A certificate for 1 hour of Professional Development for attending the program will be emailed to you.