Mayo County Council urged to introduce ‘game-changing’ parking app for disabled drivers

Finding a vacant accessible parking space would only be a click away for disabled drivers and passengers in Mayo if the county council introduced the DDAI SpaceFinder app service.

That's the view of Ann Marie Jordan from Castlebar, board member of Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI).

Developed by Limerick company ParkMagic and supported by the Disabled Drivers Association, the DDAI SpaceFinder app gives real-time information on whether an accessible parking space is occupied or not using sensors installed by the participating local authority.

Ann Marie said: “For me and many others, driving means independence and equal opportunity but finding a vacant accessible parking space is often time-consuming and stressful. In some cases, you could be forced to return home and try again later but with no guarantee of finding one even then.

“If the DDAI SpaceFinder app service was available in our county, everyday life would be far easier as you’d know exactly where to find a spot to park.”

Limerick City & County Council was the first local authority to begin using the DDAI SpaceFinder app service. The council’s traffic department installed small sensors at accessible parking bays in its city centre business district, delivering real-time updates to users of the app on Apple and Android.

In addition, navigation to the nearest available accessible space is now on Apple CarPlay, with Android Auto following shortly.

Richard Ryder, communications manager with the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland, added: “Having the DDAI SpaceFinder app service available in every county would take away the fear and stress out of everyday travelling and trying to find suitable parking. We are urging Mayo County Council to introduce it as it would literally be a game-changer for disabled drivers and passengers in our area.”

The DDAI SpaceFinder service is available from Limerick firm ParkMagic and following its successful launch, other authorities have also expressed a strong interest in the service.

ParkMagic chief executive Paul Fitzgerald commented: “Local authorities, for the first time ever, will be able to collect real time information on accessible bay usage and turnover. This would be extremely useful to Mayo County Council in analysing and planning the provision and location of accessible spaces.”