'Project Sidewalk' Crowdsources ADA Compliance

A crowdsourcing app allows citizens to hold the public realm to higher standards of access and mobility.

1 minute read

April 27, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

Josh Cohen reports that Project Sidewalk, a data gathering mobile app project led by University of Washington faculty and students, has launched in Seattle in the hopes of improving sidewalk conditions.

"First piloted in Washington, D.C., in 2016, Project Sidewalk launched the Seattle version in mid-April," according to Cohen. "The app relies on data generated by users reviewing the city’s sidewalks via Google Street View, an attempt to speed up city audits usually conducted by teams of city workers walking the streets with clipboard in hand."

Leading the University of Washington effort is Computer Science Professor Jon Froehlich, who tells Cohen that desired outcomes for Project Sidewalk include a better educated citizenry and political accountability in maintaining ADA compliant access in the public realm.

FULL STORY: Seattle's got terrible sidewalks. You can help fix them.

Friday, April 26, 2019 in Crosscut

Infrastructure Transportation United States Washington Seattle Project Sidewalk Americans with Disabilities Act ADA Mobility Mobile Apps Crowdsourcing Curb Cuts Curb Cut Effect View More

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