A pedestrian-centered data approach for equitable access to urban infrastructure environments

Crucial for a barrier-free city, equitable pedestrian access allows people with different abilities to independently access streets and services using relevant information. Pedestrians require both static and transient information regarding the street environment. Government stakeholders—such as municipalities, transportation agencies, and city planners—require accurate descriptions of the urban pedestrian environment to equitably carry out their mandates. However, pedestrian-centric data are generally unavailable in a standardized format, making it challenging to maintain and disseminate relevant information. In this paper, we describe these challenges in the context of AccessMap, a customizable routing solution for pedestrians with limited mobility. Because existing routing solutions do not account for most barriers to accessibility, the information needs of these users are largely unmet. Using AccessMap as a case study, we demonstrate that a data model for equitable access to pedestrian information should: (1) include an annotated pedestrian transportation network, (2) be openly accessible, and (3) allow for the selective sharing of information to address the needs of all stakeholders. Finally, we generalize our experience to showcase a model of a community-mediated data commons that can contribute to better public sector functioning.