MIND THE CRACKS: CONFRONTING ISSUES WITH SIDEWALK INFRASTRUCTURE
Sidewalk infrastructure is an often-overlooked issue, but one that greatly impacts accessibility, walkability, and safety for all pedestrians. Traditionally, identifying dangerous infrastructure has been difficult and time-consuming. But with emerging technologies such as HD maps, we can more easily target high-priority infrastructure in need of improvement.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our relationship with exercise. Some folks who used to use gym treadmills as their main source of exercise now avoid these locations for fear of catching or spreading the virus. Many people are now working from home and spend extended period sitting in the same chair. This poses a public health risk, as studies from the American Cancer Society have linked extended periods of sitting with early mortality.
What solution have people turned to? Walking and running on their local sidewalks and trails! Sidewalks present an easy solution in which people can leave their homes and use connected pathways to explore their neighbourhoods. However, issues with surface quality, missing walkways, and obstacles can impact the accessibility of these pathways. Let’s take a closer look at some of these issues and what can be done to address them.
INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES: SIDEWALK SURFACE QUALITY
The image above showcases a common problem on sidewalks where cracks or an uneven surface have formed. While the example above is a relatively mild case on a single sidewalk square, more extreme cases can result in tripping hazards or other obstacles that may cause serious injury. Additionally, this type of hazard can seriously impact the accessibility of this section of sidewalk for those with mobility concerns making it harder for them to navigate the urban environment.
INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES: MISSING SIDEWALKS
The image above showcases a common problem on sidewalks where cracks or an uneven surface have formed. While the example above is a relatively mild case on a single sidewalk square, more extreme cases can result in tripping hazards or other obstacles that may cause serious injury. Additionally, this type of hazard can seriously impact the accessibility of this section of sidewalk for those with mobility concerns making it harder for them to navigate the urban environment.
INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES: OBSTACLES
In downtown areas, we tend see a lack of surface quality issues. But, we can face other problems associated with obstacles in the sidewalk infrastructure. In the image above, an electrical box has been placed directly on the sidewalk. This not only narrows the sidewalk, forcing people to squeeze past one another, but also creates an unevenness on the sidewalk. This has serious implications for pedestrians that use mobility assistance devices such as walkers or wheelchairs, as they are limited in the space available. Other obstacles include a lack of curb cuts that create unsafe or uncrossable areas.
SIDEWALK INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS
Problems with sidewalks can create an unsafe environment for pedestrians, so it is important to be able to identify these issues. However, diagnosing and identifying problems can be labor intensive and expensive. This is why GeoMate has worked to develop AI algorithms to identify target problem areas. Our technology identifies sidewalk obstacles (such as power boxes, fire hydrants & poles) and surface quality issues such as cracks.
This provides cities with the information needed to make informed decisions about upgrading sidewalks and planning future infrastructure products. With these HD maps, we can make sidewalks a safer and more accessible experience for everyone!
Connect with us, and we’ll help you meet your safety, accessibility, and walkability goals.
