AI-Powered Geospatial Data for Bike and Pedestrian Planning

In today's urban landscapes, bike and pedestrian planning is pivotal for fostering sustainable, healthy, and safe communities. By prioritizing comprehensive bike and pedestrian infrastructure, communities can create resilient transportation networks that support diverse mobility needs and promote social equality, public health, and the environment. This blog explores the significance of bike and pedestrian planning and examines how AI-powered geospatial data is revolutionizing these efforts to foster safer and more navigable cities.

The importance of bike and pedestrian planning

Active transportation, which refers to human-powered travel methods such as cycling and walking, makes up more than half of trips in the US that are under three miles. However, many Americans lack access to safe and convenient pedestrian and biking networks, particularly in low-income communities where residents are more dependent on these modes of travel. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that pedestrian and cyclist fatalities constitute nearly 20% of all traffic deaths annually. It is also estimated that each year, over 76,000 pedestrians and 47,000 bicyclists are injured in roadway crashes. Alarmingly, these numbers have been on the rise in recent years.

The increase in traffic incidents has caused communities across the US to implement Vision Zero plans in hopes of eliminating all traffic-related fatalities and injuries. Bike and pedestrian planning is integral to achieving Vision Zero goals by prioritizing infrastructure improvements that enhance safety for cyclists and pedestrians. This includes creating separated bike lanes, improving crosswalk visibility and accessibility, and more. By integrating bike and pedestrian planning into Vision Zero strategies, communities can create environments that prioritize the safety and well-being of all road users, ultimately contributing to the goal of eliminating traffic-related fatalities and injuries.

Addressing the $7 billion gap in bike and pedestrian infrastructure  

A significant factor contributing to pedestrian and cyclist deaths and injuries is the lack of sidewalks, crosswalks, bike paths, and other deficiencies in transportation infrastructure. In fact, there is an estimated $7 billion in unmet needs for active transportation networks nationwide.

In both urban and rural areas across the country, incomplete or poorly connected sidewalks and bike lanes force pedestrians and cyclists to share roadways with vehicles, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. The issue is more than just the lack of infrastructure; problems with existing infrastructure also pose challenges for cyclists and pedestrians. For instance, planting strips and street trees can obstruct sidewalks and bike lanes, creating hazards for users, especially those with mobility impairments. Additionally, poorly designed crosswalks and intersections further contribute to accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Fortunately, new technology has emerged to provide Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and DOTs with the comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date geospatial data needed to identify infrastructure issues and prioritize improvements. 

AI-powered geospatial data to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety 

Ecopia AI (Ecopia) provides high-precision geospatial data, empowering communities with the information they need to improve bicycle and pedestrian transportation networks. Ecopia’s AI-powered mapping systems utilize high-resolution imagery to extract detailed vector layers for transportation infrastructure, including sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, street trees, turning lanes, intersections, planting strips, medians, and more. Ecopia’s solutions improve efficiency by providing communities with detailed transportation features at scale, with the accuracy of a GIS professional.

The next section of this blog explores how Ecopia’s high-precision geospatial data helps enhance connectivity, improve safety conditions, and foster environments that encourage walking and cycling.

Sidewalk gap analysis 

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), roadways without sidewalks are more than twice as likely to experience pedestrian crashes compared to locations with sidewalks on both sides of the street, and installing walkways separated from travel lanes has been shown to significantly mitigate pedestrian crashes on roadways, reducing incidents by up to 88%. These statistics underscore the significant impact of connected sidewalk networks in mitigating risks for pedestrians, reducing potential conflicts with vehicular traffic, and fostering safer environments for walking. By conducting thorough sidewalk gap analyses, municipalities can identify gaps in the sidewalk network and prioritize targeted improvements to ensure safer and more accessible pathways for all users. These proactive measures not only improve safety but also contribute to the overall livability of communities.

When it comes to fostering safe community connections, the width of sidewalks is also a critical factor. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) establishes specific standards for sidewalks, including minimum width requirements, to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Adhering to these standards is essential for creating inclusive and navigable public spaces. Narrow sidewalks can significantly hinder accessibility, posing challenges for wheelchair users and creating potential safety hazards. By assessing sidewalk widths in conjunction with planting strip data, communities can identify pinch points and locate areas where widening is necessary to enhance accessibility and safety.

Examining pedestrian mobility in Chicago 

In 2022, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) was looking for a comprehensive understanding of sidewalk infrastructure in their region. Initially, the team decided to manually identify and map the region’s sidewalk inventory. This laborious process required nine full-time staff members and took over a year to complete. Recognizing the high cost of repeating this method, they sought a more efficient solution and turned to Ecopia. In just six weeks, Ecopia delivered individual vector features that included sidewalk centerlines, edges, and width attributes across the entire 30,000-mile area. This solution saved over 40 weeks of time and substantial salary costs for ten employees. Additionally, it provided the State and MPOs in Illinois with a scalable and repeatable process for obtaining and maintaining highly accurate data, crucial for prioritizing and addressing areas for improvement to ensure safe, navigable pathways for all pedestrians.

Bicycle infrastructure gap analysis

Similar to analyzing gaps in sidewalk infrastructure, bike gap analysis is essential for municipalities aiming to improve cycling infrastructure and encourage active transportation. Detailed geospatial data plays a crucial role in this process by providing comprehensive insights into existing bike lanes, gaps in the network, and areas where infrastructure improvements are needed. This data allows planners to prioritize investments in bike infrastructure, such as building new lanes or connecting existing ones to create a cohesive network. Moreover, geospatial data aids in assessing the accessibility and usability of bike lanes for cyclists of all abilities, ensuring that infrastructure enhancements meet diverse community needs. By leveraging detailed geospatial data, municipalities can foster a bike-friendly environment that promotes sustainable mobility and community health.

Providing bike lane data and other advanced transportation features in Contra Costa County

Ecopia collaborated with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to advance active transportation planning and Vision Zero initiatives in the region. Leveraging AI-based systems, Ecopia extracted detailed vector data from high-resolution aerial imagery, including bike lanes, roadway and laneway widths, sidewalk infrastructure, and more. CCTA integrated this data with collision records to pinpoint strategic interventions across the county.

Impedance factors 

Impedance factors that obstruct sidewalks and bike lanes pose significant challenges to the mobility and safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Access to up-to-date geospatial data can help municipalities identify and mitigate these issues. For example, street trees, while beneficial for creating shade and enhancing aesthetics, can create barriers if improperly placed or poorly maintained, causing narrow or uneven pathways that limit pedestrian passage. Similarly, planting strips intended for greenery can encroach upon sidewalk space or bicycle lanes, potentially forcing pedestrians and cyclists into the path of vehicle traffic.

By leveraging geospatial data, municipalities can effectively map and analyze the locations and conditions of street trees, planting strips, and other impedance factors. This enables informed decision-making to help ensure that sidewalks and bike lanes remain accessible, safe, and conducive to pedestrian activity. Given that urban environments evolve over time, keeping this data up-to-date is essential for proactive management, allowing cities to identify and address impediments promptly.

Integrating tree canopy to assess pedestrian comfort in San Bernardino County  

Street tree and tree canopy data not only helps examine impedance factors but also allows for assessing user comfort, particularly in warm regions like San Bernardino, California. To strengthen their multimodal transportation connectivity, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) partnered with Ecopia to digitally map their extensive transportation network. In just three months Ecopia extracted detailed transportation features including bike lane, shoulder, planting strip, and tree data across the 20,000 square mile region. This data has significantly bolstered the county's efforts to enhance multimodal transportation, promoting safety, accessibility, and sustainability. Specifically, analyzing tree canopy data allowed the SBCTA to strategically enhance shading throughout the pedestrian network to enhance user safety and comfort. 

The image below demonstrates the importance of analyzing street tree data alongside sidewalk data to identify potential impediments and improve pedestrian safety.

Crosswalk and intersection analysis

Detailed crosswalk data is essential for communities looking to enhance pedestrian safety. MPOs can use detailed crosswalk data to create an inventory for their region which can be combined with crash statistics to assess safety and identify areas for improvement. For instance, continental crosswalks and other types of high-visibility crosswalks featuring broader and more prominently marked stripes have been proven to increase pedestrian visibility and safety. 

Equally important is mapping additional transportation features near crosswalks. For instance, raised medians enhance visibility for pedestrians waiting in the center of the roadway and can accommodate roadway lighting, which has been found to reduce nighttime pedestrian fatalities at crossings by 78%. 

Mapping crosswalks to assess equity in Baltimore

In Baltimore, Maryland, Ecopia conducted a case study focusing on detailed crosswalk, sidewalk, and other pedestrian infrastructure data spanning over 700 miles. Using data from Ecopia, the Maryland DOT, and the US Census Bureau, the analysis demonstrates how detailed mapping data and advanced transportation features can be combined with demographic information to highlight disparities in transportation equity. The resulting maps identify areas with heightened inequities and pinpoint critical locations requiring improvements to enhance safety and accessibility across crosswalks in the region. 

To learn more you can read the full case study here.

Harnessing AI for safer bike and pedestrian networks

Ensuring the safety and accessibility of bike and pedestrian infrastructure hinges on having comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date geospatial data that offers a complete view of the region's safety landscape. AI has revolutionized the accessibility of high-precision geospatial data, empowering communities to make informed decisions based on information that reflects real-world conditions. Not only are advancements in AI technology helping provide decision-makers with the data needed to evaluate and improve safety within these networks, but federal funding opportunities are also supporting MPOs and DOTs for safe transportation planning. 

To learn more about using Ecopia’s high-precision transportation data for bike and pedestrian planning, get in touch with our team.