Dr. Willson’s planning research and practice concerns parking reform and transit-oriented development. His 2013 book, Parking Reform Made Easy provides a method for reforming minimum parking requirement. Parking Management for Smart Growth (2015) outlines a strategic approach to parking management in the context of a sharing economy. In addition to teaching and research, Dr. Willson consults on parking issues with regional and local agencies such as the Bay Area Rapid Transit District, local cities, and developers of urban infill projects.
Dr. Willson is a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He is the recipient of the Cal Poly Pomona Provost Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity.