Washington State Proviso

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Proviso Brief ↗

Under the directive of the state legislature and using innovative technology by the Taskar Center for Accessible Technology, Washington is now creating an AI-generated, human-vetted network graph inventory of sidewalks across Washington State—the OS-CONNECT dataset. With this data, state agencies, local governments, and community organizations will have the information they need to address critical accessibility, safety, and equity gaps within the transportation network. Led by TCAT, with the help of industry partner Gaussian Solutions LLC, this effort is not just a significant step in urban planning but a stride towards inclusivity and better quality of life. 

The Need for a Comprehensive Sidewalk Inventory

In countless neighborhoods, sidewalks are either deteriorating or simply don’t exist, and people choose against active transportation when they can for lack of knowledge about where they would feel and be safe. Planners, too, are feeling the impact of this missing data. King County, for example, has expressed a need to improve sidewalks around transitional housing facilities but doesn’t know where to start. Without a clear picture of sidewalk conditions, they don’t know which areas lack basic accessibility or safety features like proper sidewalk width. This gap in information makes it nearly impossible to set concrete project plans or evaluate the environmental and access impacts of new work in these areas. Access to data about sidewalks is essential for supporting sustainable, equitable, and inclusive communities. 

Sidewalks are essential for active transportation, especially in lower-income neighborhoods where residents rely more heavily on walking and public transit. Without a detailed understanding of the current state of sidewalks, it is challenging to prioritize investments and improvements where they are most needed.

Legislative Support and Project Goals

Recognizing this gap, the Washington State Legislature included a specific provision in the 2023 Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB 1125), Section 111. The bill allocates funds exclusively for the TCAT’s sidewalk inventory and accessibility mapping project. The initiative aims to develop a public dataset under an open license and create tools for publishing this data in an open format. This project is comprehensive, involving existing data sources, imagery, detailed surveys, and manually collected data across various types of roads.

Key Objectives

  1. Comprehensive Inventory: Create a detailed inventory of sidewalks across Washington State.
  2. Accessibility Assessment: Evaluate the accessibility of sidewalks for individuals with disabilities.
  3. Advanced Mapping Tools: Develop visualization tools to make the sidewalk data easily accessible and usable.
  4. Prioritize Overburdened Communities: Focus on counties with high proportions of overburdened communities for initial data collection

Advisory Meetings

Public advisory meetings for this project will provide a platform to various stakeholders to contribute their insights and perspectives on the sidewalk mapping and analysis initiative. Sign up for the TCAT mailing list to hear about upcoming advisory meetings.

Looking Ahead

The Taskar Center’s work emphasized the importance of collaborating with both agencies and affected communities to align project planning with local needs. Key steps include building community profiles to identify areas with sidewalk gaps, promoting inclusive public involvement, and evaluating the impact of transportation investments. If funded, the next biennium will complete the sidewalk inventory for all state residents, helping Washington build a pedestrian infrastructure that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and equity in underserved areas.