Automated Sidewalk Quality and Safety Assessment System.

摘要

Transportation planners, engineers, and decision-makers generally recognize that non-motorized transportation provides environmental, economic, and public health benefits. However, many sidewalks in Atlanta and across the country do not adequately provide for pedestrian needs and fail to help make communities safe and livable. Sidewalks that do not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) design criteria are often unsafe, exposing pedestrians, wheelchairs users, travelers with strollers, and persons carrying heavy loads to unnecessary risk. Best practices for pedestrian planning suggest that jurisdictions prioritize pedestrian projects based on a variety of concerns, such as high pedestrian activity, pedestrian safety, accessibility to transit, and mobility for persons with disabilities, children and older adults. Most regions lack a spatial sidewalk inventory and could benefit greatly from the development of a systematic approach to evaluating sidewalk quality and ADA compliance. The Automated Sidewalk Quality and Safety Assessment System developed in this project helps communities evaluate sidewalk condition and ADA compatibility. Results will help agencies to prioritize sidewalk improvements and improve pedestrian infrastructure.