Downtown Tempe is unveiling an innovation that promises to ease the transportation experience for locals and visitors. The new web-based application, Tempe TRiP, offers an all-in-one solution to navigating downtown, blending real-time parking data with transit information and mobility options.
A collaboration between the Downtown Tempe Authority and the City of Tempe, Tempe TRiP (short for Transportation, Routes, Info, and Parking) is the first tool of its kind in Arizona. The app integrates parking availability, current rates, directions, traffic conditions, and, eventually, transit data for the Valley Metro Light Rail and Tempe Streetcar. Users can plan their visit, find the closest parking to their destination, pay with a click, and even receive alerts for road closures or events.
“Downtown Tempe is a dynamic hub for education, business, entertainment, and tourism, and the steady activity is a blessing for merchants and local businesses,” says Lori Foster, president and CEO of the Downtown Tempe Authority, in a press release. “We also recognize that, at times, getting around and finding parking can present challenges. That’s why we are committed to finding innovative solutions to make it easier to park, get around, support our downtown businesses, and fully enjoy all the events and attractions our downtown has to offer.”
Despite common challenges with on-street parking, more than 20,000 public parking spaces are available within a two-mile radius of Downtown Tempe. Many of these off-street options are more convenient and underutilized, a gap Tempe TRiP helps close by making them visible and accessible throughout the app.
“This tool will not only simplify the visitor experience but also reflects Tempe’s commitment to sustainable, data-driven transportation solutions,” says Tempe Mayor Corey Woods, in a press release. “With Tempe TRiP, we’re solving mobility challenges and improving how people access Tempe to engage with this vibrant, innovative urban district.”
The app is powered by Modii, a leader in advanced mobility technology. While similar tools from Modii have been used in other U.S. cities to manage parking, Tempe TRiP goes further by integrating upcoming access to the Valley Metro Light Rail, Tempe Streetcar routes, and scooter corral locations, offering a more holistic mobility solution than any other city in Arizona. In St. Augustine, Florida, Modii’s parking platform has helped decrease traffic congestion and improve public safety, which are results Tempe hopes to replicate and build upon with its broader, transit-integrated solution.
“Parking is often an anxiety-driven experience, and Tempe TRiP helps replace that uncertainty with confidence and convenience,” says James Emery, Chief Operations Officer at Modii, in a recent press release. “By partnering with the Downtown Tempe Authority, we’re not just improving how people navigate the city—we’re giving the community tools to build a smarter, more welcoming downtown for everyone.”
The tool arrives amid a series of strategic investments in improving the Downtown Tempe experience. Recent upgrades include increased lighting, expanded security camera coverage, additional patrol, and modernized parking facilities, two of which are gateless for a smoother exit experience.
For more information, visit www.downtowntempe.com.