Mapping What Matters: Building Safer Transportation Systems with Pedestrian Asset Data

Many communities lack reliable, up-to-date data on key elements of their transportation networks that affect how people move every day. Without this information, it can be challenging to identify safety gaps or effectively advocate for improvements. Creating safer streets for all users begins with understanding the infrastructure that is already on the ground. 

Bill Singleton from Ecopia AI (Ecopia) recently joined Leah Shahum, Founder and Executive Director of Vision Zero Network, and Asher Eskind, Principal Planner from the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning for a conversation about how high-precision geospatial data is transforming transportation planning. 

This blog explores key takeaways from that discussion. You can watch the full webinar recording at the bottom of this page.

Understanding the pedestrian safety crisis

Leah Shahum opens the discussion by explaining the mission of the Vision Zero Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the Vision Zero movement to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries. Through providing educational resources, events, and policy support, Vision Zero helps communities across the country recognize and advance safe mobility for all. 

Leah highlights the growing pedestrian safety crisis, noting a 75% increase in pedestrian deaths since 2010, based on 2022 data. She emphasizes that these tragedies are largely preventable, yet many communities face challenges in identifying which safety strategies and infrastructure investments will have the greatest impact. This uncertainty makes it difficult to allocate resources effectively and prioritize interventions. Leah underscores that data-driven insights are essential for understanding where risks are highest and for guiding policies and projects that can save lives.

The Rhode Island Walk Inventory: building a foundation for safer streets

Building on this need for actionable data, Asher Eskind introduces the Rhode Island Walk Inventory, an initiative to create a statewide geographic database of pedestrian infrastructure, including sidewalks, curb ramps, and crosswalks. Asher explains that this project aims to answer fundamental questions such as how many miles of sidewalks exist in Rhode Island, which transit stops lack safe pedestrian access, and where new sidewalks or crosswalks should be prioritized.

Although these questions may seem straightforward, they are impossible to answer without comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date data. Asher shares that while the state had asset data on roadways, buildings, and land cover, it lacked up-to-date data related to pedestrian-specific infrastructure and multimodal travel patterns. By mapping features such as sidewalks and crosswalks, planners can create a much more accurate picture of the streetscape for all users. However, manually digitizing this information can be time-consuming and costly.

To address this challenge, the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning partnered with Ecopia AI. Ecopia uses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to extract transportation features from high-resolution imagery. Asher explains that after reviewing Ecopia’s capabilities - including the precision of data extraction, the extensive project portfolio, and the ability to deliver highly accurate data on a reliable timeline at a reasonable cost - Rhode Island recognized that Ecopia was the ideal partner for mapping its pedestrian infrastructure.

Uncovering gaps in pedestrian infrastructure

Ecopia’s AI-powered systems rapidly digitized all sidewalks across the City of Providence from aerial imagery, providing a comprehensive view of pedestrian infrastructure. Using this dataset, Asher was able to determine that Providence has 430 miles of sidewalks. While this may seem substantial, it is modest compared to the city’s 485 miles of roads. Asher explains that in an ideal scenario, where sidewalks are present on both sides of every road, the city would need closer to 900 miles of sidewalks to ensure safe and accessible pedestrian travel. 

Asher describes that by providing this level of detail, Ecopia’s data allowed planners to clearly visualize gaps in pedestrian infrastructure and identify areas where improvements are most needed, laying the groundwork for targeted investments in safer streets throughout Providence.

Identifying transit stops without safe connections

Building on the sidewalk data, Asher analyzes pedestrian access to public transit. By comparing sidewalk coverage with bus stop locations, he found several stops located more than 100 feet from the nearest sidewalk - critical gaps that limit safe and convenient access. Asher shares that these locations are prime candidates for sidewalk extensions and crosswalk installations. By running the data in ArcGIS Pro, Asher explains that planners can pinpoint exactly where infrastructure improvements would have the greatest impact along existing bus routes.

Prioritizing new crosswalks with data

Asher also explains how he used the data to identify where new crosswalks and sidewalks could be added. He shares that he used Ecopia’s data to identify stretches of road where pedestrians must walk at least half a mile without a crosswalk, or cross a busy four-lane highway, to reach their destination.

A particularly striking example is Veterans Memorial Parkway, which, despite having strong pedestrian and active transportation assets like the East Bay Bike Path, features a 2.5-mile stretch without a single crosswalk. This poses serious safety challenges, especially for students walking to nearby schools or residents accessing parks along the waterfront, highlighting areas where infrastructure improvements could have the greatest impact.

These insights illustrate the power of comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date transportation infrastructure data. Asher explains that with Ecopia’s data, planners can assess not only the presence of sidewalks and crosswalks but also their width and connectivity, supporting improvements in wayfinding, active transportation, infrastructure maintenance, safety, accessibility, land use planning, and emergency response. This level of detail is critical for making data-driven decisions that enhance safety and mobility for all users. 

Scaling high-precision data nationwide

Bill wraps up the webinar by highlighting the versatility and reach of Ecopia’s data. Ecopia can extract transportation and land cover data from any imagery a client provides, and currently works with aerial imagery providers across the US. In fact, Ecopia’s datasets are available off-the-shelf for over 440 cities across North America. Whether used by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), state governments, or AEC firms, Ecopia maps transportation right-of-way and land cover features with at least 95% accuracy. Key features, including centerlines, lane counts, road markings, sidewalks, crosswalks, and more, are being used nationwide for permitting, traffic control plans, public works, and broader transportation planning. 

Bill shares that Ecopia’s sidewalk data with width measurements are particularly valuable for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition planning and identifying potential infrastructure challenges for communities. 

Bill explains that Ecopia’s high-precision data is also increasingly used to support federal funding applications, providing the detailed agencies need for programs like Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A). By delivering comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date data, Ecopia empowers communities to make data-driven decisions that improve pedestrian safety, strengthen transportation networks, and guide targeted infrastructure investments.

Mapping what matters for safer streets

Highly precise vector layers for critical transportation infrastructure is transforming how communities plan for safety, accessibility, and mobility. From identifying gaps in sidewalks and crosswalks to prioritizing improvements at transit stops and major roadways, this data gives planners the insights they need to make informed, life-saving decisions. Initiatives like the Rhode Island Walk Inventory demonstrate how comprehensive datasets can highlight critical infrastructure needs and guide targeted investments.

Whether supporting city planning, ADA compliance, or federal funding applications, Ecopia’s AI-powered data can help you work smarter and more efficiently. For more information on Ecopia’s Advanced Transportation Features or to learn how this data can support your community’s transportation and safety goals, get in touch with our team.

Watch the full webinar here: