Urbiotica: Reserved Space Management - Key to More Accessible Cities

Transforming cities towards sustainability and inclusion

The move towards more accessible and sustainable cities is a key goal shared by many urban centers around the world. This challenge requires a fair reorganization of public space, prioritizing sustainable mobility while significantly reducing areas allocated to private vehicles.

Proper management of reserved spaces is crucial in this context, particularly in key zones such as loading and unloading areas or those designated for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM).

The importance of public space in urban planning

Public space is a limited resource, and its use must be equitable and efficient. This principle becomes even more critical when planning for expanding cities. Redistributing public space can decrease areas dedicated to private cars, transforming them into zones with specific purposes or promoting sustainable alternatives like bike lanes, public transportation, and pedestrian areas.

Reserved spaces fall into various categories, including those for PRM, goods distribution, public transport, and emergency services. Over time, emerging needs have led to the creation of specialized spaces, such as charging points for electric vehicles, areas for shared mobility, and multidisciplinary zones.

Limitations of traditional reserved parking management system:

Ensuring the proper use of reserved spaces has traditionally relied on identification and control systems managed by municipal agents. While effective in some contexts, these methods have notable limitations:

1. Slow identification processes
   Manual vehicle inspection by agents is a time-consuming process, lacking the agility needed for timely detection of violations.
2. Non-immediate resolutions
   The lack of real-time information prevents swift action against improper parking, leaving reserved spaces occupied longer than permitted.
3. Increase in violations
   Ineffective monitoring leads to a lack of compliance with regulations, causing frustration among users who genuinely need these spaces and undermining trust in urban mobility policies.

Smart technology: A modern solution for reserved spaces

The introduction of smart management systems has transformed reserved parking control. Using devices like ground-level sensors or cameras, it is now possible to detect space availability and notify users in real-time through mobile applications. Additionally, these technologies send immediate alerts to on-site staff when violations, such as illegal parking or exceeding time limits, are detected. Through data analysis, these systems also provide detailed insights into occupancy,
turnover, and vehicle flows, optimizing interventions by authorities and resource allocation.

Benefits of smart parking solutions

Implementing intelligent parking systems offers numerous advantages that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), enhancing quality of life in cities:

1. Reduction in emissions
   By minimizing unnecessary travel by municipal vehicles, mobility improves, and greenhouse gas emissions decrease, contributing to a healthier environment.
2. Enhanced accessibility to public spaces
   Reserved spaces are used efficiently, ensuring availability for specific groups like PRM, shared mobility vehicles, or goods distribution services.
3. Lower violation rates
   Real-time monitoring encourages compliance with regulations, reducing infractions and fostering greater responsibility among drivers.
4. Optimized use of public resources
   Efficient urban space management maximizes existing resources, avoids unnecessary investments, and promotes citizen participation in urban development.

Urbiotica: Driving more Inclusive and sustainable cities

At Urbiotica, we support cities worldwide in ensuring that reserved spaces are used appropriately through advanced control systems. This not only improves public space availability but also enables rapid interventions when necessary, contributing to more sustainable mobility and greater inclusion for all citizens.

About Urbiotica

Urbiotica was born in 2008 with the mission to bring the most innovative technology to society through urban environments. Its vision is to help cities become more manageable, efficient, and sustainable, improving the quality of life of its citizens.

At Urbiotica, we focus on developing reliable IoT technologies that enhance urban mobility. Our sensors are rigorously tested to deliver high performance and accuracy in parking space management, ensuring efficient and dependable solutions.