Institute for Transportation

About the research

Pedestrian assets, particularly sidewalks, are highly susceptible to aging, adverse weather conditions, and suboptimal construction practices, often leading to rapid deterioration. This deterioration is often ignored due to the widespread misconception that pedestrian assets are low risk, resulting in many deteriorated sidewalks being left untreated or inadequately maintained. A comprehensive deterioration modeling framework that integrates advanced spatial and temporal data sources, advanced data analytics, and predictive modeling would enable infrastructure managers to predict the aging process of pedestrian assets and ultimately prioritize investments, plan maintenance schedules, and allocate budgets efficiently.

This project developed assessment frameworks and deterioration models for pedestrian assets that support reliable and informed decision-making regarding funding needs and asset design and maintenance. Various data sources and modeling and analysis procedures were explored, and a pedestrian asset assessment methodology was developed and evaluated. The research demonstrated a scalable and cost-effective approach to assessing sidewalk conditions, providing actionable insights for proactive maintenance. The quantifiable benefits, including construction savings, improved life-cycle costs, reduced risk, and safety enhancements, position this methodology as a valuable tool for sustainable infrastructure management.