Everyone should be able to move easily around the city they live in with efficient mobility solutions. This means guaranteeing both physical access to the different spaces and services, and having the necessary information and resources to move around comfortably and safely. Accessibility must be considered a central aspect at all stages of the process, from design to the implementation of solutions, especially in changing urban environments that generally become denser and more diversified.
Innovations in accessibility and mobility
Among the different mobility initiatives, more and more governments and organisations are investing in technologies that pay special attention to accessibility. These range from the implementation of parking guidance and control systems to the creation of urban environments with wider pavements and ramps at junctions.
Lack of adequate infrastructure can make city access more difficult, especially for people with reduced mobility or professionals who rely on delivery vehicles. However, smart mobility solutions, such as parking guidance technologies, now make it possible to improve accessibility in urban environments.
These systems use sensors, cameras and advanced algorithms to provide users with real-time information on space availability, either through mobile applications or strategically placed signage technologies. What’s more, this technology can be adapted to various needs, from spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility to charging points for electric cars, as well as spaces for loading and unloading goods.
These measures enable all kinds of people to enjoy greater autonomy without having to spend long hours behind the wheel, while promoting inclusion and equal access in urban environments.
Occupancy technologies
Parking occupancy detection devices, whether magnetic, camera or infrared, detect when vehicles arrive, park and leave spaces. Cameras and sensors built into the parking spaces provide accurate data on their availability in real time, allowing drivers to easily locate free spaces using mobile apps or information panels strategically distributed along the street.
Parking Detection Systems
As well as being applied in urban parking in city centres and in areas outside of park-and-ride lots, these solutions can also be implemented in parking spaces designated for tour buses, shopping centres, universities, stations, companies and also areas for large commercial vehicles such as lorries and delivery vans, among many other cases of use. An initiative to facilitate space management in areas with high demand.
Intelligent space management
The shortage of parking spaces is often a problem given population growth and the transformation of areas of the city into green areas and public spaces. In this context, mobility solutions linked to control technologies can help improve the use of parking spaces, for instance by analysing usage patterns and demand to optimise space allocation.
With these data on occupancy and flow at different times of the day, it is possible to maximise car park capacity and adjust the allocation of parking spaces to specific needs, such as loading and unloading areas, electric vehicle charging stations or spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility (PRM).
Accessibility and quality of life
The implementation of smart parking technologies is an example of how mobility solutions can improve quality of life in cities by ensuring that the entire population, not just people with disabilities or reduced mobility, can easily access parking areas.
Time optimisation
Firstly, these solutions can help reduce the stress associated with prolonged searches for parking, especially in densely populated urban areas where space is limited and time for running errands is at a premium. With real-time information on space availability, it is possible to streamline the process and improve the experience for residents and visitors alike.
Improving air quality
A shorter time spent looking for parking reduces the number of vehicles on the road, which means less traffic congestion and fewer pollutant gas emissions. This has a direct positive impact on air quality and improves public health by reducing people’s exposure to harmful gases, such as nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter, which can lead to respiratory diseases and other problems.
Furthermore, improving air quality also benefits the environment by curbing the global warming caused by greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere and its consequences. A healthier environment for urban residents is promoted.
Development of the local economy
Improved accessibility in mobility solutions can also help improve the economy and urban development by facilitating access to the city’s services, attractions and shops. This is important to encourage local trade in urban areas, particularly benefiting small businesses that rely heavily on pedestrian traffic.
In a broader sense, greater accessibility also makes cities more attractive to visitors and investors, which can further boost long-term economic development and the creation of new jobs. Thanks to mobility solutions focused on accessibility, such as Urbiotica’s smart technologies that provide real-time information on the availability of parking spaces, it is possible to improve the commuting experience, reducing stress for drivers and strengthening the local economy. These initiatives can help create more sustainable and cohesive communities in which all population groups benefit.
