Sidewalk Inventory Project Kim Korejko Manager, Data Coordination July 11, 2017
Sidewalk Inventory Project
To assist with planning efforts to help communities in the region
become more pedestrian-friendly and accessible, DVRPC is
developing a new regional sidewalk inventory and an
online platform for a shared regional conversation on local
and regional walkability.
1. Regional GIS Dataset 2. Online public engagement platform
Sidewalk Inventory Project
Two Components
Photo credit: Mark Mathosian -https://www.flickr.com/photos/markgregory/28197098672
Asset Management: Indianapolis MPO
Examples of Sidewalk Inventories
Sidewalk Inventory Project
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Indiana MPO Council collaborated with the MPOs in the state (like Indianapolis MPO) to inventory their sidewalks as part an effort to standardize pavement and asset management throughout Indiana. The data from each MPO is shared into a statewide database. This is a good model of data standardization and data sharing.
Routing: AccessMap, Seattle
Examples of Sidewalk Inventories
Sidewalk Inventory Project
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Folks at the Taskar Center for Accessible Technology worked closely with organizations like Seattle DOT and University of Washington, among others, to create a routeable pedestrian network for Seattle. They took the existing sidewalk inventory and curb ramps that Seattle DOT created, added, then laid this network on an elevation layer. AccessMap Created by The Taskar Center for Accessible Technology, The University of Washington https://www.accessmap.io/
Routing: AccessMap, Seattle
Examples of Sidewalk Inventories
Sidewalk Inventory Project
Presenter
Presentation Notes
They then took this a step further and added networking capabilities based on mobility type. This feature allows users to find the best path for their route, depending on their level of mobility. This is an extremely valuable tool for those with mobility constraints.
Routing: Google
Examples of Sidewalk Inventories
Sidewalk Inventory Project
Presenter
Presentation Notes
In contrast, Google Maps’ pedestrian routing is based on the road network, which if you’ve ever tried to use this feature, is not always accurate. Especially if you have mobility constraints.
Sidewalk Inventory Project
In our region: NJDOT’s County Road Sidewalk Inventory
Examples of Sidewalk Inventories
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Numerous sidewalk inventories have been created in the DVRPC region so we’re fortunate that we will be able to build from these inventories. These inventories, however, were created using various methodologies and also vary in what attributes (information) were collected. For example, in 2008, NJDOT inventoried sidewalks, paths, and bike lanes along county routes for the entire state. This data is an attribute of the road segment and does not spatially represent the presence/absence of a sidewalk. Orange lines are sidewalks, pink are paths, and green are bike lanes. NJDOT County Road Sidewalk Inventory http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/countysidewalks/
Sidewalk Inventory Project
In our region: Chester County
Examples of Sidewalk Inventories
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Numerous sidewalk inventories have been created in the DVRPC region so we’re fortunate that we will be able to build from these inventories. These inventories, however, were created using various methodologies and also vary in what attributes (information) were collected. On the Pennsylvania side of our region, each county has a sidewalk inventory of some kind. This is a snapshot showing Spring City Borough, Chester County, the GIS data “lines up” with the sidewalk. Note that this dataset is not connected where there are crosswalks. Chester County’s Sidewalk GIS Dataset http://data1-chesco.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/394fecd305a44e94b38a0c41e4ae439d_0
Sidewalk Inventory Project
In our region: Chester County
Examples of Sidewalk Inventories
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The dataset contains attributes like street name and owner type
Sidewalk Inventory Project
In our region: Montgomery County
Examples of Sidewalk Inventories
Presenter
Presentation Notes
In Montgomery County, PA, sidewalks were created as an attribute of the STREET, so when visualizing the data in GIS, it’s not spatially accurate. Here’s an example in Royersford. Again, note that crosswalks are not part of the sidewalk network.
Sidewalk Inventory Project
In our region: Where the sidewalk ends…
Examples of Sidewalk Inventories
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Where the datasets meet along county borders is where corrections to existing inventories will need to be made. Again, looking at Spring City and Royersford, you’ll see that the networks are not contiguous along Bridge Street/Main Street.
THE PLAN - Select a consultant to create seamless, standardized GIS
dataset of sidewalks in the DVRPC region - Build from existing networks - Create new features where datasets don’t exist
FY18: DVRPC’s PA Counties FY19: DVRPC’s NJ Counties
DVRPC’s Sidewalk Dataset
Sidewalk Inventory Project
HOW THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CAN HELP - How will this dataset be used in your planning efforts? - What’s most important to you? - Who should we be talking to?
DVRPC’s Sidewalk Dataset
Sidewalk Inventory Project
DVRPC’s Online Walkability Engagement Platform
Sidewalk Inventory Project
To complement the sidewalk inventory, DVRPC will create an online walkability engagement tool that will allow participants to share qualitative information about sidewalk and walking conditions in their communities.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
We’d like users to be able to plot their location, rate how safe they feel, what they like/don’t like about their walking environment, and note desired improvements. The information that’s gathered in this platform will help shape the next steps we take in potential pedestrian facility planning activities.
Sidewalk Inventory Project
Project Sidewalk: Washington, D.C.
Examples of Pedestrian-Related Public Outreach Efforts
Presenter
Presentation Notes
One initiative that we like is Project Sidewalk, in Washington, D.C. This crowd-sourcing online interface allows users to add features like curb ramps and other sidewalk impediments to their inventory using Google Streetview imagery. The user then has the ability to rate how they feel about that particular feature (like if an intersection is passable to unpassable). Project Sidewalk: Designed and operated by the Makeability Lab at the University of Maryland https://sidewalk.umiacs.umd.edu/
Sidewalk Inventory Project
WalkScope: Denver, CO
Examples of Pedestrian-Related Public Outreach Efforts
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Another project we like is Denver’s WalkScope, where users can click on a street-side segment and input information about the walkability of that particular location. That includes whether the sidewalk is attached or detached, if there are obstructions or pedestrian amenities, and if the user feels safe in that area. WalkScope Created by WalkDenver http://www.walkscope.org/
Sidewalk Inventory Project
In our region: Wikimapping and sidewalk audits for Walk Montco
Examples of Pedestrian-Related Public Outreach Efforts
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Within the DVRPC region, there are numerous walkability efforts happening. One example is Montgomery County’s “Walk Montco” study. Montgomery County Planning Commission (MCPC) http://www.montcopa.org/2109/Walk-Montco
Sidewalk Inventory Project
In our region: Wikimapping and sidewalk audits for Walk Montco
Examples of Pedestrian-Related Public Outreach Efforts
Presenter
Presentation Notes
“…MCPC developed a user-friendly online map [using the Wikimapping platform] that offered residents an opportunity to provide feedback on the community partner areas as well as any area in the county. Over 450 comments were received. Feedback included a variety of information, such as places where sidewalks and crosswalks were needed, intersections where vehicles travel too fast, and places where pedestrian connections to important destinations are needed. In addition to providing comments on the map, residents were also able to upload photos.” MCPC also worked with several municipalities in their county to develop “walk audits’ for their community. Visit http://www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/9839 to learn more.
DVRPC’s Online Walkability Engagement Platform
Sidewalk Inventory Project
THE PLAN - Create a platform that is accessible to the most users - Focus on building a large network of users - Collect qualitative information about pedestrian
environments that will help guide future pedestrian planning efforts
- Complement the pedestrian-related activities going on in the region
Presenter
Presentation Notes
DVRPC’s Online Walkability Engagement Platform
Sidewalk Inventory Project
HOW THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CAN HELP - Fill us in on existing efforts we may not be aware of - Help us with outreach effort by sharing resources - User group to test the application and provide feedback