Some new technology is in the pipeline that's poised to keep mobility parks available for the people who really need them.
Currently in its prototype stage of development, the technology was born out of a New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) initiative to bring the technology-savvy together to brainstorm a solution.
Team ParkRite's Scott Palmer explained, "The detector is reading the permit. It looks up a central system and comes back with a red light [or] green light".
"The red light will go on in three circumstances: one, if you have a stolen tag, an expired tag or no tag.
"There are some people who just won't back out so social pressure does need to be applied."
If the motorist taking the mobility park is done at a shopping centre, Mr Palmer said the technology "will send an alert to security [and] they will be there fairly quickly because I know shopping centres want to deal with this problem".
The system is still being trialled in conjunction with parking solutions company Parkable.
However, if the technology is adopted, it would require the reissuing of all mobility permits.
NZTA’s Martin McMullan said, "Technology isn’t the complex part of it, it's getting the buy-in of local authorities, parking operators and disability groups to actually get behind this".
Parkable CEO Toby Littin added, "We want to see people understand that you are having a negative impact if you’re just taking that park for a few minutes.
"What that's just doing is creating a whole lot of stress and anxiety for people who need those parks".
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