Section: How can ADA Coordinators and City Planners use Project Sidewalk. ADA Coordinators and City Planners can use Project Sidewalk as a tool to improve the accessibility of their communities. This tool allows for the comprehensive assessment of pedestrian infrastructure accessibility for developing ADA transition plans or other initiatives.
Case Study 1 – Project Sidewalk used for Lincolnwood Transition Planning
Lincolnwood is leading the way in making its sidewalks, crosswalks, and pathways more accessible for residents with disabilities. With Access Lincolnwood, a two‑phase plan supported by a Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) grant, the village aims to ensure every resident can move through their community safely and independently. To maintain nearly 56 miles of sidewalk, the city adopted a two‑step assessment process that blended hands-on fieldwork with digital crowdsourcing. First, 17 miles of priority sidewalks were audited using smartphone apps equipped with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify issues. Following the field audit, the crowdsourcing platform Project Sidewalk was used to assess the remaining 37 miles of sidewalks.
After the assessment, the village conducted a thorough review of its municipal code to evaluate how current policies support accessible streets and sidewalks. The analysis revealed that although Lincolnwood usually considers accessibility in new construction and development, some sections—particularly Chapters 6 and 15—could be improved to better address the needs of people with disabilities. In response, from 2025 to 2029, the village will allocate $200,000 each year for high-priority accessibility projects identified in the Transition Plan, funded separately from the ongoing $60,000 annual sidewalk maintenance program. This new annual funding underscores a strong, long-term commitment to enhancing mobility for all residents.
Explore their Report: https://engage.cmap.illinois.gov/lincolnwood-ada
Case Study 2 – Project Sidewalk used in Chicago’s 40th Ward
The 40th Ward has been acquiring insights into its sidewalk network by considering repair requests from residents. Recognizing the potential limitations of this method in offering a comprehensive perspective, the ward turned to Project Sidewalk. The platform played a pivotal role in delivering a holistic overview of necessary improvements within the community. Illustrated on the map provided is the ward’s adept utilization of both Project Sidewalk data and resident requests to pinpoint areas within their sidewalk network requiring attention.
In their pursuit of an equitable approach to designate Menu money (funds earmarked for permanent infrastructure improvements) within Chicago’s 40th Ward, a challenge emerged. Relying solely on resident requests, which tend to be non-representative and limited to certain parts of the community, would not provide a fair assessment. To overcome this challenge, they strategically integrated Project Sidewalk data with other pertinent information, including resident requests. This comprehensive approach empowered the ward to make informed and equitable decisions regarding infrastructure funding
Get Involved
An ADA coordinator or city planner can work with our team to open up certain areas or their entire city for mapping via Project Sidewalk by contacting [email protected] and sending a shapefile of the area of interest.