For this Webinar Wednesday, we’re exploring something you might not think about often: sidewalks and ADA ramps—and how we make sure they’re safe, accessible, and well-maintained. If this is a new topic for you, don’t worry—we’ll break it down step by step.

Imagine this: You’re walking through a neighborhood, and suddenly, the sidewalk just stops. There’s a large crack or a dangerous gap that forces you into the street. Now, picture riding a bike, pushing a stroller, or guiding a wheelchair—and you reach a busy street, only to find the ADA ramp is missing or so steep that you have to pause in traffic. These are everyday challenges people face, and they’re exactly what we’re tackling in this project.

As an example, the City we’re focusing on has approximately 648 miles of sidewalks and over 6,000 ADA ramps. Our task was to inspect every inch of them, ensuring no detail was overlooked.

A sidewalk and ADA ramp survey isn’t as simple as taking a stroll. Traditional vehicles can’t handle narrow sidewalks, and walking manual surveys are time-consuming and costly. That’s why we’re leveraging technology. We use eBikes paired with a specialized tool called PinPoint. PinPoint allows us to quickly capture high-quality, georeferenced photos while recording critical data, such as sidewalk conditions, gaps, and safety hazards.

The sidewalk survey updates the City’s sidewalk inventory, identifying missing sidewalks, and documenting obstacles like fences or trees that might complicate repairs or new construction. Each sidewalk section is scored on a scale from “Good” to “Very Poor,” with details on material type (e.g., concrete, brick, gravel) and recorded obstructions like fire hydrants or utility boxes.

When it comes to ADA ramps, we collect detailed data on slopes, conditions, and any barriers preventing safe pedestrian access for those with disabilities. All of this feeds into the City’s ADA Transition Plan, which is essentially their roadmap to making public spaces more inclusive and accessible.

For ADA ramps, we’ve introduced something truly groundbreaking: the ADA Ramp Serviceability Index (ARSI). This innovative tool is like a “report card” for ramps, evaluating their compliance with accessibility standards and overall usability. It measures key factors such as slope, cracks, spalling, and whether they have textured panels known as truncated domes. The ARSI is a first-of-its-kind tool, providing cities with a clear method to prioritize ramp repairs and replacements.

By the end of a sidewalk and ADA ramp survey, a City will have a complete, georeferenced database of sidewalk and ramp conditions, along with actionable insights to guide repairs and improvements. Most excitingly, the ARSI sets a new standard for evaluating ADA accessibility—an approach that can benefit cities nationwide.

Ultimately, whether it’s fixing a tripping hazard, filling a sidewalk gap, or ensuring someone can safely use an ADA ramp, our work is about enhancing the infrastructure we rely on daily but often take for granted.