Sidewalk Assessment Data Accuracy and Field Methodology

How Daxbot Collects, Evaluates, and Delivers Public Right-of-Way Assessment Data

When cities consider sidewalk assessment options, the first questions they need answered are about data reliability and field collection methodology.

This question matters because accessibility planning needs more than general observations. Public works and ADA staff need consistent field measurements, a repeatable evaluation method, and results that are ready for review and planning.

Our Dax sidewalk units are built for this purpose. Our field methodology collects structured data on sidewalks, crosswalks, and curb ramps across large networks. We evaluate these conditions against PROWAG using our Dax Compliance Score (DCS), quality-assure the results, and upload the finished dataset to ArcGIS and other GIS systems. This gives cities a field record that is ready for review, prioritization, and phased implementation.

Quick Overview

  • What Daxbot Collects

    We collect data on sidewalks, crosswalks, and curb ramps, along with other right-of-way features depending on your project’s scope.

  • How It Is Evaluated

    We evaluate measured conditions against PROWAG using our Dax Compliance Score.

  • What City's Receive

    You receive a quality-assured, processed, GIS-ready dataset that supports review, prioritization, and phased planning.

HOW IT WORKS:

How Daxbot’s Field Methodology Works

Our field methodology gives cities a structured, network-wide view of pedestrian accessibility conditions.

  1. Field collection
    We collect data on sidewalks, crosswalks, and curb ramps throughout the project area. Depending on your needs, we can also include other right-of-way features such as transit stops.

  2. Measurement and documentation
    For each asset type, we capture the measurements and observations needed for accessibility review. This can include dimensions, slopes, vertical offsets, route features, and other field details relevant to PROWAG-based evaluation.

  3. PROWAG-based evaluation
    We evaluate measured conditions against PROWAG. We record whether each condition meets the criteria and apply our Dax Compliance Score to show how far conditions vary from the guideline.

  4. Quality assurance and processing
    We quality-assure and process the dataset so the output is structured, consistent, and usable across the full network.

  5. GIS-ready delivery
    We upload the processed data into ArcGIS and other GIS systems so staff can review findings geographically, identify problem areas, and use the information for prioritization and phased planning.

What Daxbot Collects in the Field

Field collection is not just about logging isolated defects. Our goal is to build a usable record of pedestrian conditions across the network.

Sidewalks

For sidewalks, Daxbot may collect and evaluate information such as:

  • running slope

  • cross slope

  • sidewalk width and travel path width

  • vertical offsets or vertical height displacements

  • nearby passing space

  • route obstructions, such as poles or vegetation

  • segment-level and path-level location records

These measurements help cities see where sidewalk conditions may limit accessible travel and where conditions change across corridors or neighborhoods.

Crosswalks

For crosswalks, Daxbot may collect and evaluate information such as:

  • crosswalk width

  • running slope

  • cross slope

  • vertical offsets

  • crossing type or signal condition

  • striping or marking presence

  • location-based records tied to the crossing segment

This helps cities review not only the sidewalk segments, but also how accessible travel continues through crossings.

Curb ramps

For curb ramps, Daxbot may collect and evaluate a broader set of field conditions depending on the type of curb ramp present, including:

  • ramp width

  • ramp running slope

  • ramp cross slope

  • turning space dimensions and slopes

  • clear space dimensions and slopes

  • detectable warning surface type, width, depth, and placement

  • flare slopes

  • grade change

  • vertical offsets

  • curb ramp type

Curb ramps are often among the most technical aspects of public-right-of-way accessibility, so this level of detail is especially useful for prioritization and planning.

Additional right-of-way features

Depending on project scope, Daxbot can also document features such as:

  • obstructions in the pedestrian route

  • pedestrian signal characteristics

  • transit stop boarding and alighting areas

  • on-street parking conditions

These features are helpful when a city wants a broader view of public-right-of-way accessibility, not just a sidewalk inventory.

How Dax Compliance Score Works

Daxbot evaluates measured sidewalk, crosswalk, and curb ramp conditions against PROWAG using its Dax Compliance Score methodology.

Instead of just a pass-or-fail result, DCS assigns a score that helps cities see how far a condition varies from the guideline. This gives public works and ADA staff a more useful way to identify significant barriers and separate them from less urgent issues.

This matters because a scored dataset is often easier to use for prioritization than a simple list of compliant and non-compliant records.

What Cities Receive

A stronger methodology only matters if the city receives data in a form it can actually use.

We combine field collection, PROWAG-based evaluation, quality assurance, and GIS-ready delivery into one workflow. This means cities receive a dataset that is more consistent, easier to use for map-based review, and better suited to prioritization and phased planning than raw field exports.

For public works and ADA staff, the practical benefit is clear. It becomes easier to compare corridors, identify areas of need, support consultant review, and move from field collection to planning without extra internal cleanup.

Answers to common questions:

  • A structured inventory is much easier to review, map, update, and use for planning than manually gathered notes or complaint-driven findings.

  • In many cities, yes. GIS helps staff organize conditions by location, spot patterns, coordinate improvements with other projects, and review needs more efficiently.

  • Daxbot reviews measured sidewalk, crosswalk, and curb ramp conditions against PROWAG using our Dax Compliance Score, along with color-coded overview maps. This helps cities tell which barriers are more significant and organize work in a more practical way.

  • Daxbot does more than just collect field data. We evaluate measured conditions against PROWAG, quality-assure and process the dataset, and upload the results into ArcGIS and other GIS systems so the information is ready for city review, prioritization, and planning.

  • Yes. A structured inventory makes it easier for cities, consultants, and engineering partners to work from the same set of field data.

  • No. Smaller cities also benefit when sidewalk data is organized in a way that can be reviewed, mapped, and reused over time.

RELATED RESOURCES:

Need a ready-to-use sidewalk assessment dataset?

Ask us for a sample of Daxbot's sidewalk, crosswalk, and curb ramp deliverables.