Objectives of the service
Accessible parking misuse and inefficient enforcement continue to create significant barriers for people with disabilities. SPACES addresses these challenges through a smart, integrated approach combining sensor enabled parking monitoring, satellite informed mapping, and Bluetooth supported permit validation.
The project provides local authorities with real time operational insights to support accessible parking management, improve visibility of misuse patterns, and inform evidence-based infrastructure planning. Earth Observation and geospatial analysis support the maintenance of accurate accessible parking inventories, while the Bluetooth enabled validation approach explores additional methods to support permit verification and reduce misuse.
Piloting with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and South Dublin County Council, SPACES is led by Access Earth in partnership with iConnect101 as part of an ESA co funded demonstration project. The initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI), the national Blue Badge providers in Ireland, supporting alignment with existing permit processes and user validation throughout the pilot.
By connecting parking infrastructure data, real time occupancy insights, and permit validation systems, SPACES aims to support more reliable accessible parking availability, improved understanding of parking conditions and locations, more appropriate use of designated bays, and better-informed planning for inclusive urban environments.
Users and their needs
The SPACES project targets stakeholders involved in the management, enforcement, and use of accessible parking infrastructure in Ireland. Primary users include local authorities, enforcement bodies, national Blue Badge providers, and Blue Badge users.
Key user needs include:
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Local Authorities: up to date information on accessible parking bay locations, condition, occupancy, maintenance needs, and misuse patterns to support planning and protection of spaces for intended users.
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Enforcement Bodies: including contracted parking enforcement providers and An Garda Síochána, requiring operational insights relating to potential misuse to support targeted enforcement activity.
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National Blue Badge Providers: including IWA and DDAI, requiring improved coordination with local authorities and mechanisms to support validation of legitimate permit use.
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Blue Badge Users: requiring accessible parking spaces that are available, appropriately maintained, and protected from misuse.
Key challenges include integrating multiple stakeholders and systems, ensuring GDPR compliant data handling, and validating reliable operation within live urban environments.
Service/ system concept
Service/system concept
SPACES provides a smart monitoring and management platform for accessible parking through a combination of sensor-based occupancy detection, Earth Observation informed mapping, and Bluetooth supported permit validation. The system delivers real time operational insights to support accessible parking management, enforcement activity, and infrastructure planning.
The SPACES solution is composed of four core elements:
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Satellite and aerial imagery analysis to identify, map, and assess accessible parking infrastructure and environmental changes
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Embedded parking bay sensors which detect occupancy and transmit real time parking activity data
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Bluetooth enabled validation mechanisms designed to support verification of authorised Blue Badge use within the pilot environment
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Dashboard and mobile interfaces providing operational insights, misuse alerts, reporting, and system oversight for local authorities and enforcement personnel
System Architecture (High Level):
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Data Collection: Sensor infrastructure, Bluetooth interactions, and Earth Observation datasets capture occupancy and accessible parking information
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Processing & Analysis: Data is securely transmitted, processed, and analysed to identify patterns, support enforcement workflows, and generate operational insights
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User Access: Local authorities and enforcement stakeholders access dashboards and mobile interfaces to monitor activity, review alerts, and support evidence-based planning and management decisions
The SPACES platform is designed to improve visibility of accessible parking availability, support more appropriate use of designated bays, and strengthen data driven accessibility planning within urban environments.
Space Added Value
SPACES leverages Earth Observation (EO) and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technologies to support the monitoring, validation, and planning of accessible parking infrastructure.
Space assets utilised include:
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Earth Observation (EO): Satellite and aerial Earth Observation imagery support the identification, mapping, and review of accessible parking infrastructure, helping maintain more accurate parking inventories and identify environmental or infrastructural changes over time. EO data also supports wider analysis of accessibility infrastructure distribution and planning needs at local authority level.
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GNSS Positioning: GNSS supports accurate geolocation of accessible parking bays, sensor infrastructure, and associated operational data within the SPACES platform.
Added value over existing approaches includes:
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Improved visibility of accessible parking locations, condition, and distribution without relying solely on manual surveys
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Integration of EO data with sensor based real time occupancy monitoring to provide more accurate operational insights for local authorities and enforcement stakeholders
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Enhanced evidence-based planning through historical and spatial analysis of accessible parking infrastructure and usage trends
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Improved coordination between parking infrastructure, enforcement operations, and Blue Badge related processes, reducing reliance on fragmented or outdated datasets
By integrating space-enabled technologies with smart accessibility infrastructure, SPACES supports a more scalable, data informed, and proactive approach to accessible parking management and inclusive urban planning.
Current Status
SPACES is currently in the demonstration and validation phase of the project, focused on refining the system architecture, validating operational workflows, and preparing for live pilot deployment within Ireland.
Initial technical testing activities have been undertaken in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown to assess sensor connectivity, occupancy monitoring, Bluetooth enabled validation interactions, and dashboard integration within a live urban environment. Early engagement with local authorities, enforcement stakeholders, and national Blue Badge providers has also informed the ongoing system design and operational approach.
Current activities include:
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Validation of sensor and connectivity performance within designated accessible parking environments
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Development of dashboard and operational monitoring interfaces for local authorities and enforcement stakeholders
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Integration and testing of Bluetooth supported validation mechanisms within the pilot environment
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Earth Observation and geospatial analysis to support accessible parking mapping and infrastructure review
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Co design and operational planning with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council, IWA, and DDAI
Upcoming activities include:
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Pilot installation and phased deployment activities across the designated demonstration sites in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and South Dublin County Council
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User validation and stakeholder workshops with Blue Badge users and operational stakeholders
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Continued integration testing and refinement of operational workflows
• Pilot evaluation activities to assess system performance, usability, and operational impact
SPACES will continue through a structured demonstration phase, with findings informing future accessibility planning, parking management approaches, and potential long-term scalability.
