Urbiotica: How To Improve Parking Control And Management For People With Reduced Mobility

In the effort to create cities that are truly inclusive, access to parking for people with reduced mobility (PRM) remains a major challenge. While urban areas evolve toward more sustainable and efficient mobility, one basic yet critical need persists: ensuring that designated PRM parking spaces are respected and properly managed. With technology, we now have the tools to make that happen.

PRM parking: a right, not a privilege

Urban accessibility isn't just about ramps or elevators—it's also about equal access to parking. For people who use wheelchairs, rely on canes, or face significant mobility or cognitive challenges, these reserved parking spots are a gateway to autonomy. Yet in practice, these spaces are often misused, blocked, or occupied by unauthorized drivers. To address this, many cities issue PRM cards: official, personal, non-transferable permits that allow cardholders to park in designated spaces across the European Union. But even this system faces challenges, such as fraud or improper use.

Why smart control matters

The issue isn’t only the number of PRM spaces available—it’s about ensuring they’re used as intended. Unauthorized occupation of these spaces not only violates regulations; it directly limits the freedom of people who depend on them. Traditional enforcement is often reactive and resource-heavy. What’s needed is real-time, proactive control. That’s where Urbiotica steps in. With its Fastprk system and ParkCTRL application, cities can implement smart monitoring of PRM parking. Whenever a violation occurs, an alert is sent instantly to enforcement personnel, enabling swift action and significantly reducing misuse.

Designed for accessibility

PRM parking spaces are not arbitrary—they follow strict design standards. Located near entrances to buildings and arranged to facilitate safe movement, they typically measure at least 5 meters long by 2.2 meters wide. In some cases, individuals can even request an exclusive spot near their home, workplace, or school, linked to their vehicle's license plate. Ensuring the proper use of these spaces is essential to urban equality.

Technology that works where it matters

Urbiotica’s 360º solution combines buried or surface magnetic U-Spot sensors with AI-based camera detection. These tools track the arrival, presence, and departure of vehicles in each PRM space with high reliability. The system integrates with communication networks such as NB-IoT or LoRaWAN, ensuring real-time data is always available. With this infrastructure in place, cities can:

• Direct PRM users to the nearest available space.
• Prevent unnecessary driving in search of parking.
• Detect and act on misuse immediately.
• Lower operational costs by automating enforcement.

In essence, Fastprk does more than enforce rules—it supports the rights of PRM drivers while optimizing urban mobility.

For cities that include everyone

Technology has the power to shape fairer cities. At Urbiotica, we believe that smart parking systems must serve not only efficiency, but also equity. Our goal is to foster coexistence through innovation—ensuring that no one is left behind, especially those who face mobility barriers. By combining robust detection, real-time alerts, and intelligent guidance, our PRM parking solutions are helping cities become more accessible, respectful, and humane. Because inclusive mobility is not just an ideal—it’s a responsibility. And with the right tools, it’s one we can fulfill.

Want to learn more about how smart solutions can help manage PRM parking in your city?

Contact us at info(at)urbiotica.com or request a demo.

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.