Pedestrian Facilities Inventory

Kristin Bennett, AICPSenior Transportation PlannerBicycle, Pedestrian, and Neighborhood Traffic Programs ManagerCity of Colorado Springs

Project Evolution

Change in City Code – City responsible for sidewalk capital maintenance (March 2005)

Council request to infill sidewalks Increasing public demand for sidewalks Increasing number of ADA complaints to DOJ No pedestrian infrastructure mapped or

inventoried, even hard copy No Citywide Pedestrian Plan

Initial Steps by Staff

Windshield survey of 7 areas of the City Cost to infill 7 areas estimated Staff provided initial infill recommendations for

$250,000 special allocation Opportunity to request permission to proceed with

Pedestrian Plan and Inventory (recommended in City’s transportation plan

** Had to “sell” concept to internal staff

as well as to City Council **

Multi-Department Use of Data Transportation Planning

Overall City Needs Assessment Cost Estimation – What is the Total Price Tag? Application of Criteria to Prioritize Improvements Support Data for Funding Applications

Traffic Engineering, incl. School Traffic staff School route planning Maintenance of crosswalk markings Project development activities - prioritization

Multi-Department Use of Data City Engineering

Curb ramp installation prioritization Sidewalk infill prioritization Stormwater management calculations (more

precise impervious surface information)

Mountain Metro Transit Analysis tool to recommend priority for sidewalk/

ramp installations along transit routes Support Data for Funding Applications

Multi-Department Use of Data Urban Redevelopment

Downtown / Old Colorado City Pedestrian Facilities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds

Street Maintenance Sidewalk condition ratings kept on paper now; could

be cataloged into Citywide Facilities Inventory Alley paving – ADA issues at alley/sidewalk intersect;

Combine with Existing GIS Data Roadway Functional Class Corridor Traffic Volumes Transit Routes, Stops (Pads, Benches, Shelters)

Trails, Park Space School Locations Neighborhood Strategy Areas (CDBG-fund eligible)

Curb Ramp Installations (database)

GIS Analysis Opportunities Transit Routes with Missing Sidewalk/Ramps #’ radius around school sites with Missing

Sidewalk/Ramps Parks/open spaces with missing sidewalk adjacent

to them Principal and/or Minor Arterial Streets with missing

sidewalks/ramps Transit Routes within Neighborhood Strategy Areas

with missing sidewalk/ramps Missing Sidewalk/Ramps along routes that serve

both transit and schools…..

Geodatabase Development Steps Developed parameters for what to digitize Developed actual geo-database Tested geo-database with sample sections to

determine any changes needed Intern staff acquired (4 part-time initially, now 3 part-

time on this project) Digitize, digitize, digitize – very detailed work! Modifications to geo-database as issues arise,

interns ID improvements Field checking required – shadows, trees, etc.

What Are We Digitizing?

Sidewalks – existing, missing with social trail (“goat path”) distinction

Accessible curb ramps new w/ truncated domes, older era, vertical curb position (corner or mid-block) type (perpendicular, diagonal, parallel/dip) Ramp ID #

Trails not owned/maintained by Parks Dept. Crosswalks (painted, unpainted, school xing,

type of traffic control)

Field Checking – Two Approaches Manual Field Checking

Identify areas to field check while digitizing Travel out to locations and check in person More time and resource consuming (fuel/vehicle)

Video-Based Field Checks Video log may be available Some communities have highly detailed video

captures of streets (e.g., Cartegraph) Field check in the office – time/resource savings

Colorado Springs’ Cartegraph Video Entire City street network (~1,800 centerline

miles) being captured on digital video Cameras on van in all directions so visibility

of sidewalk network is excellent (360°) High resolution Digitize on one monitor and view field check

area frame by frame on 2nd monitor

Other Key Project Information Only $30,000 assigned to project –

necessitated use of interns Approx. 1,800 centerline miles being digitized Project about 60% complete – 1,300 hours to

date (Feb. 2006 start) Geographic areas assigned to interns –

Digitize sections Field check completed sections Quality control by peer (some checks by Senior GIS staff)

Lessons Learned

Spend time drafting geodatabase before actual creating it (saves time in the long run)

Train everyone in specific application, assumptions Routine meetings to address issues, answer

questions, changes to geo-database Expect changes will need to be made to database

structure as it is used Accurate facility digitization is time consuming Talented interns can produce an exceptional

product, add value

Special Thanks to Our Team… Beth Diana, MS – Public Administration (UCCS) Aaron Moss, MS – Community Planning (U. of Wyoming) Nancy Olson, MS – Geography (UCCS) Angela Zakaras, BS – Geography (UCCS)

Phil Friesen, Senior GIS Analyst, City of Colorado Springs

For More Information on the City of Colorado Springs Pedestrian Facilities GIS Inventory Project, contact….

Kristin Bennett, AICP

Senior Transportation Planner

City of Colorado Springs

(719) 385-5622

kbennett@springsgov.com