Description:
This project examines the multiple ways citizen created and curated data can be used to inform the design and build-out of transportation infrastructure. The project focuses on cycling infrastructure as a test case, but has applications across transportation modes. By using citizen created data, planners gain access to citizen preferences—rather than just point in time volume—and simultaneously provide for new kinds of public participation in the process of informing plan development.
Challenges:
Developing robust data standards for collecting and sharing data across different stakeholders. This includes standards for crowdsourced data production to enable multi-metropolitan comparison and the development of best practices for balancing privacy concerns against the need for route detail. Additional challenges center on building necessary data infrastructures to connect across transportation agencies and address regional transportation issues. Finally, generating widespread uptake of tools and interfaces for citizen participation through data production and consumption.
Major Requirements:
1. Develop guidelines for collecting route, demographic, purpose, and frequency data from cyclists.
2. Develop guidelines for collecting data on road and other infrastructure conditions.
3. Develop algorithms for snapping collected data to street network graphs
4. Build scalable infrastructure to manage city, regional, and multi-state data collection
5. Develop new visualization techniques for sense making and community participation in planning and design processes.
Performance Targets/ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
Increase in low-stress bike network by 20%
Increase bike mode share to 2%
Measurement Methods:
Bike network will be measured using level of traffic stress and bike LOS in GIS. Bike mode share can be measured via regional surveys and American Community Survey commute data.
Standards/Interoperability:
We would use existing standards for data such as GPS and other geo-located data. In the instance where standards don’t exist, such as infrastructure issues, we would develop guidelines for new standards and metadata to ensure cross-city data sharing could take place.
Replicability, Scalability, and Sustainability:
Standards will ensure replicability. To create a single scalable platform, we will develop a network with other cities. The Cycle Atlanta project has been sustained over 3 years to provide valuable data in metro Atlanta with limited funding and it has been replicated in a few cities already using our code base. The approach developed ensures cities can obtain essential infrastructure preference data without re-deploying apps on in isolation.
Project Impacts:
This project will have direct impact on the way cities plan transportation infrastructure projects. By creating a robust data-driven process for integrating citizen input, cities will be able to create plans more responsive to present needs and they will be able to more effectively measure the impact of infrastructure projects as they come online. Ultimately, these changes will make for a more resilient transportation system, one that encourages multi-modal use with the attendant economic, health, and environmental benefits.
Demonstration:
Phase I Pilot/Demonstration June 2016:
Cycle Atlanta app is already deployed in Atlanta. This would build on that functionality to easily add new cities, segmenting data by location. Code for snapping would be developed in the initial phase as well as guidelines for collecting data.
Phase II Deployment June 2017:
Phase II would include deployment to new locations. Multiple cities, such as Chattanooga have expressed interest.
Team Information: Team Lead:
Chris LeDantec, [email protected]
