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Vancouver's Sidewalk Program: Enhancing Accessibility & Safety

Learn about Vancouver's comprehensive sidewalk program, including phases, challenges, opportunities, costs, and field data collection results. Explore the city's efforts to improve pedestrian accessibility and safety.

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Vancouver's Sidewalk Program: Enhancing Accessibility & Safety

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  1. Comprehensive Sidewalk Program Overview March 13, 2018 Vancouver Planning Commission Workshop Ryan Lopossa, Streets/Transportation Manager

  2. Presentation Overview • Background • Phase 1 – Existing Conditions Inventory • Phase 2 – Analysis & Prioritization • Phase 3 – Field Data Collection • Phase 4 – Program Development • Next Steps City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 2

  3. Background • City constructs new sidewalks & ADA ramps through Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) • Pavement Management resurfacing projects include & require funding for constructing ADA-compliant ramps • City reconstructed nearly 600 ADA curb ramps between 2014-2017 City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 3

  4. Background • New developments & site expansions require new or reconstructed ADA-compliant sidewalks & ramps (over 14 miles of new sidewalks added in 2017) • As with many other municipalities, maintenance of sidewalks in Vancouver are typically responsibility of adjacent property owner • Deficient sidewalks addressed via complaint-driven process • Pedestrian accessibility through work zones remains a challenge City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 4

  5. Background – Estimated Costs & Revenues Estimated Costs: • Curb ramp improvements: approx. $77 million • Upgrade existing sidewalks throughout City: approx. $40 – 60 Million • Fill in missing sidewalk gaps throughout the City: approx. $130 – 200 Million • Additional Available Revenues: • Street Funding Strategy (SFS) provides $500,000 annually for multimodal, safety & accessibility projects • Provisions for upgrades also included in funding for new TIP projects (approx. $3.5 million annually) and increased Pavement Management budget (additional SFS funding) City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 5

  6. Background − Challenges & Opportunities Challenges: • Limited resources for accessibility projects • Parks maintenance backlog includes ADA improvements • Street network deficiencies • Non-compliance implications • Opportunities: • Street Funding Strategy includes resources for multimodal, safety & accessibility projects. • Initiating internal grant pilot program • Strategic Plan includes ADA needs • Vancouver Strong community engagement effort City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 6

  7. Phase 1 (Summer 2015) Inventory of sidewalks & curb ramps 7

  8. Phase 1: Inventory of Sidewalks & Curb Ramps • Desktop process using geographic information system (GIS) layers • Sidewalks & curb ramps inventoried: • Sidewalks Exist • Sidewalks Don’t Exist • Curb Ramps Exist • Curb Ramps Don’t Exist City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 8

  9. Phase 1: Inventory Results (w/ Annexation) • 636 miles:Existing sidewalks • 494miles: Missing sidewalk segments • 10,374: Total curb ramps • 5,029: Intersection corners without curb ramps City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 9

  10. Phase 2 (Spring 2016) Analysis & Prioritization 10

  11. Phase 2: Analysis & Prioritization • Sidewalk/curb ramp demand analysis to determine priority focus areas • Analysis criteria includes safety, equity, street classification & pedestrian demand to identify priorities • Identified additional field data collection needs & attributes for Phase 3 field work City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 11

  12. Phase 3 (2016 – 2017) Field data collection 12

  13. Phase 3: Field Data Collection • 14-month effort, start to finish • 3 Key layers • Curb ramps • Sidewalks • Deficiencies City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 13

  14. Phase 3: Field Data Collection – Curb Ramps • Ramp type • Dimensions • Truncated domes • Obstructions • Slopes • Landings • Ramp photo City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 14

  15. Phase 3: Field Data Collection – Sidewalks • Sidewalk type • Material • Width City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 15

  16. Phase 3: Field Data Collection – Deficiencies • Barriers/blockages • Cracking/separation • Slopes • Driveways (w/cross-slope) • Heaves & dips • Surface condition • Others… City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 16

  17. Phase 3: Field Data Collection – Results • Approximately 177,000 defect points • 636 miles of existing sidewalk • Data & photos for 10,374 curb ramps • 23 miles of sidewalk adjacent to City property • 16 miles of missing sidewalk segments adjacent to City property City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 17

  18. Phase 4 (Current Phase – 2017/18) Program Development 18

  19. Phase 4 – Program Development • Sidewalk inspector Position • Data Analysis • Maintenance responsibility & ADA • Sidewalk deficiency prioritization • Homeowner sidewalk repair grant program • Formalized enforcement program • Revised VMC language City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 19

  20. Phase 4 – Program Development • Sidewalk Inspector Position • FTE assigned to deal with all issues related to sidewalks • Work with property owners on needed repairs/replacements • Provide customer focused outreach and education • Administer homeowner grant program • Work with downtown business on sidewalk café seating • Monitor work zone activities that impact sidewalks • Inspection of City sidewalk and curb ramp projects City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 20

  21. Phase 4: Data Analysis – Calculating Condition • Determine segment conditions • Determine ramp conditions • Estimate repair cost per defect City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 21

  22. Phase 4 – Program Development Data Analysis – Priority Mapping City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 22

  23. Phase 4 – Program Development • Homeowner sidewalk repair grant program • Would provide assistance to low-income property owners who are faced with costly sidewalk repairs/replacements • Eligibility would be similar to CDBG criteria (earning up to 80% of AMI) • Potential 50:50 split with total reimbursable costs capped at $1,500 City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 23

  24. Phase 4 – Program Development • Enforcement program • Based on RCW 35.68/69 • Tiered process to bring deficient sidewalks into compliance • Combination of education/outreach and correspondence • When all else fails, City would make required repairs and seek reimbursement from property owner • Property liens City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 24

  25. Phase 4 – Program Development • Revised VMC language • Look at additional opportunities where development can provide sidewalk improvements • Strengthen code language related to pedestrian circulation through construction zones • Required code language to support enforcement program City of Vancouver Sidewalk Program Overview - 25

  26. Next Steps • Completion of data analysis • Phase 4 deliverables • VMC revisions • City Council Work Session (Spring 2018 • Program rollout (Summer 2018) City of Vancouver ADA Program Overview - 26

  27. Questions Ryan Lopossa, Streets & Transportation Manager Ryan Miles, Operations Program Manager Jennifer Campos, Senior Planner

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