AI and Crowdsourcing Fix Crumbling US Sidewalks

Volunteers around the world are using Project Sidewalk, an online platform, to map and assess the condition of sidewalks in US cities. The project combines crowdsourced data with artificial intelligence to identify accessibility issues like broken sidewalks and missing curb ramps.

Founded in 2012, Project Sidewalk initially aimed to map all sidewalks but now focuses on community engagement and advocacy. In Oradell, New Jersey, Girl Scouts mapped 36 miles of sidewalks and presented their findings to the city council, successfully advocating for accessibility improvements.

While AI excels at detecting curb ramps, achieving 96.9% accuracy in Vancouver, Washington. It struggles with issues caused by natural elements.

Cities often lack comprehensive sidewalk data due to liability concerns, but experts argue data is an asset, not a risk. Project Sidewalk is gaining traction in schools, with students in Massachusetts currently mapping 12% of their city’s sidewalks, raising awareness about pedestrian accessibility.