Winnipeggers may notice some strange-looking quads rolling along sidewalks over the next few months.
The city has contracted a company to collect data on sidewalk conditions.
The sidewalk surface tester, as the machines are called, are all-terrain vehicles equipped with front and back cameras, lasers, GPS and other devices. Drivers can manually input data as they work.
The testers record information on length, surface materials, cracks, and other factors that could affect the sidewalks’ usability.
“We never collected data on the sidewalks before,” said Brad Neirinck, engineering manager with the City of Winnipeg’s public works department.
The city uses similar technology to collect data on streets, back lanes and pathways, but this is a first for sidewalks. Until now, the city relied on visual inspections and calls to 311 to make decisions about sidewalk maintenance.
“It was mainly basically area inspectors identifying areas,” said Neirinck. “This will provide us more accurate data, more consistent data.”
One machine began working in early August. A total of four machines will map out all 3,200 kilometres of Winnipeg’s sidewalks by the end of October.
Artificial intelligence programs then assess the data, which the city will use to determine which sidewalks need work most urgently.
Strategic investing
The new technology comes as the city prepares to ramp up spending on sidewalks from $1 million to $4.5 million by 2027.
“We rely heavily on feedback from the public, but to have this and then to be able to compare [changes] from year to year … I think it’s going to be way better in strategically investing where we spend our money,” said public works committee chair Coun. Janice Lukes.
Lukes says improving the conditions of sidewalks will also help keep them clear of ice and slush during the winter.
Disability advocate Peter Tonge welcomes any effort to make sidewalks better, but he says the new machines are just a first step.
“I think the other element to look at is also where they’re doing it. So in high-density areas, where lots of folks with disabilities live, maybe they need to be prioritized even if the sidewalks aren’t in the worst condition,” he said.
This year’s budget includes $220,000 for rating streets, sidewalks and paths on regional streets, and $655,000 for the same work on local streets.
The company contracted to do the work, International Cybernetics Canada, will perform a second assessment in 2027.
The city plans to do sidewalk assessments every three years.