Decentralized, Public, and Mobile-Based Sidewalk Inventory Tool

Knowledge Based Systems, Inc. (KBSI) is pleased to propose the further design and development of MySidewalk mobile application facilitating the crowd-sourced collection of sidewalk inventory and condition data. The MySidewalk application utilizes advances in social networks and data mining to provide integrated sidewalk datasets. Phase I and II research was facilitated by inputs from City of College Station, Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization, Houston-Galveston Area Council, and Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Important functionality supported by MySidewalk is an integrated view of sidewalk GIS data, pedestrian-networks gap analysis, pedestrian usage of non-sidewalk paths, support for capital improvement program planning, audit and maintenance of sidewalk accessibility issues, and public inputs into sidewalk infrastructure prioritizing. The MySidewalk application provides critical data and analysis infrastructure to local, state, and federal entities allowing them to better manage and maintain sidewalk networks. The MySidewalk application provides the foundation for capabilities such as the analysis of pedestrian usage patterns and factors influencing demand. Phase IIB will expand the toll use beyond asset management to include more attributes that contribute to a more comfortable and low stress walking environment and are consistent with FHWA’s goal of creating resources and tools that will improve the quality of pedestrian networks for all users.