Staff Reports | Community Updates
Tempe is set to become a hotbed of activity as nearly 50,000 visitors flock to the downtown area to participate in commencement activities at Arizona State University.
Downtown Tempe Authority, in partnership with the city of Tempe, is launching a one-of-a-kind transportation and parking tool that simplifies how people get to, park in and move throughout downtown Tempe.
Called Tempe TRiP, the digital tool promises to enhance the visitor experience and strengthen Downtown Tempe businesses while serving as a model for smart urban planning, according to a press release.
TEMPE TRiP, which is an acronym for Transportation, Routes, Info, Parking, is the first and only web application that combines real-time parking availability, current rates, wayfinding, live transit schedules and alternative transportation options in a single tool, the release states.
Using real-time predictive data, Tempe TRiP delivers accurate, up-to-the-minute information via mobile or desktop.
“Downtown Tempe is a dynamic hub for education, business, entertainment and tourism, and the steady activity is a blessing for merchants and local businesses,” said Lori Foster, president and CEO of the Downtown Tempe Authority. “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.”
While on-street parking can be limited in high-traffic areas, more than 20,000 public parking spaces are located within a 2-mile radius in downtown Tempe. In many cases, the off-street options are closer, more readily available and less stressful. However, it’s not always immediately obvious where those options lie.
That’s where Tempe TRiP comes in. Powered by Modii, a leader in advanced mobility technology, this web and mobile-friendly application offers everything a visitor needs to plan a visit to Downtown Tempe, consolidating comprehensive transportation resources all in one place. Users can access the tool via a web browser or a link saved to their phone.
Effective immediately, Tempe TRiP will allow users to access real-time parking availability by location; view current or future parking rates by zone; find parking closest to a desired destination; click-through to pay for parking; plan trips based on real-time traffic conditions and get notifications about road closures or traffic.
Expanded features will roll out later this year, including live access to Valley Metro Light Rail and Tempe Streetcar routes and stations, as well as assistance finding nearby scooter corral locations.
“This tool will not only simplify the visitor experience but also reflects Tempe’s commitment to sustainable, data-driven transportation solutions,” said Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. “With Tempe TRiP, we’re solving mobility challenges and improving how people access Tempe to engage with this vibrant, innovative urban district.”
Tempe TRiP: Creating safer, more convenient mobility
In 2024, 2.6 million people made 15.5 million visits to Downtown Tempe, which is home to 176 street-level businesses, with more on the way. Beyond historic Mill Avenue, Downtown Tempe spans 26 blocks of urban space—the area bounded by Tempe Town Lake, College Avenue, University Drive and the district’s western boundary, which includes the area between Farmer and Mill Avenue. It’s home to tech companies, co-working spaces, cultural festivals, family-friendly events, a blossoming arts scene—and even the tallest outdoor rooftop bar in Arizona.
Over the past year, several investments have been made to make Downtown Tempe more welcoming for business owners, working professionals and visitors, and include upgraded lighting, adding more security cameras, boosting patrol presence and giving some Tempe parking facilities a facelift. Two of the public parking garages are now gateless. In addition, the light rail, streetcar, scooters, bikes and free Flash and Orbit shuttles all make it easier than ever to get around.
Since August, a team led by Anthony Strait, Vice President of Operations for Downtown Tempe Authority, has been working to enhance accessibility and ensure those supporting Downtown Tempe merchants can do so with ease. After interviewing numerous developers in the industry, Modii was selected based on the scope of parking and mobility tools that the application leverages, including user-friendly and real-time information sources.
“Modii’s team has been willing to think and see bigger than the original application,” Strait said. “As we began building the background, we asked questions and pushed boundaries to incorporate additional features and capabilities. The result is a more comprehensive integrated transportation tool than any community in Arizona, maybe even the nation, is able to offer.”
