Safe and Accessible Pedestrian Facilities Inventory Model (SAPFIM): Development

Cevallos, Fabian · 2018 · ROSA P / National Center for Transit Research (U.S.)

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Summary

This paper details the development of the Safe and Accessible Pedestrian Facilities Inventory Model (SAPFIM), a web-based software application designed to assist local agencies in collecting, storing, querying, and reporting data on pedestrian infrastructure. The project was motivated by the critical need for accurate, accessible information to help agencies prioritize investments in sidewalk repairs, improvements, and new construction. Existing challenges in maintaining compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensuring safety for seniors and individuals with disabilities necessitated a tool that could systematically identify deficiencies, such as missing sidewalks, substandard curb ramps, and unsafe crossings. The SAPFIM tool was developed by the Lehman Center for Transportation Research at Florida International University, in collaboration with stakeholders from the Federal Highway Administration, Florida Department of Transportation, and local metropolitan planning organizations. The development process began with the creation of specific data criteria based on ADA standards and the Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG). These criteria defined measurable elements for three primary facility categories: sidewalks (e.g., width, slope, obstructions), curb ramps and blended transitions (e.g., ramp length, landing width, detectable warnings), and street crossings (e.g., signal accessibility, refuge islands). The software architecture supports data collection via field devices equipped with GPS, cameras, and wireless capabilities, allowing users to upload data directly to a web server. The resulting application features four main modules: Data Collection, Maps, Data Management, and Reports. The Data Collection module allows users to input detailed records for sidewalks, ramps, and crossings, including photographic evidence and GPS coordinates. The Maps module utilizes Google Maps to visualize collected data, enabling users to navigate and inspect specific facility points. The Data Management module facilitates database queries and allows for the export of data in CSV format and images in JPG format. The Reports module generates comprehensive inventories and compliance reports that assess facilities against ADA and PROWAG standards, helping agencies identify areas requiring remediation. The significance of SAPFIM lies in its ability to provide local agencies with a standardized, efficient method for assessing pedestrian infrastructure. By digitizing the inventory process, the tool enhances the capacity of agencies to make intelligent, data-driven decisions regarding pedestrian safety and accessibility. It addresses the gap in readily available information that often hinders the prioritization of pedestrian improvements, thereby supporting the creation of more livable, connected, and accessible communities for all users, particularly those with mobility or sensory impairments.

Key finding

The SAPFIM web application was successfully developed and tested as a functional tool for local agencies to inventory, manage, and report on the accessibility and safety conditions of pedestrian facilities.

Methodology

other

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

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• vru facing ehmi