City receives updated information on the state of its streets, sidewalks, and accessible curb ramps

Bloomington, Indiana – The Department of Public Works (DPW) Street Division provided a citywide assessment of the present state of streets, sidewalks, multi-use paths, and accessible curb ramps during the City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 7. You may access the complete study here: https://bton.in/C8BFi

The information will be used to better target accessible curb ramp improvements, pinpoint problem areas, and identify areas that need improvement for both our motorized and non-motorized transportation networks. It will also be used to help administer the city’s sidewalk repair assistance program.
This project updates the condition data that was gathered at that time for these significant transportation assets, building on a similar endeavor that was last carried out in 2017–2018 by DPW with the cooperation of the Innovation Director.

Mayor John Hamilton said, “This assessment gives us information that allows us to increase accessibility and mobility throughout Bloomington.” “By providing more connected, safe, low-emission transportation options, we are enhancing the quality of life for residents of Bloomington and advancing the objectives of our climate action plan.”

In September 2021, the Board of Public Works gave its approval to a contract with the Infrastructure Management Service (IMS) Company to carry out this project. Between the spring and the fall of 2022, an IMS team in a vehicle equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology gathered condition data and a number of specialized infrastructure indicators. LIDAR enables real-time data collecting and is more time-effective than visual data collection alone. It also offers more consistent, accurate, and exact reporting.

Joe VanDeventer, director of street operations, stated, “We’re greatly looking forward to taking a new look at the existing conditions for all the City’s streets, multi-use paths, sidewalks, and accessible curb ramps. The technology involved enables us to plan and budget for our vital infrastructure in ways that were not before conceivable. “This data is invaluable.”

The Pavement Quality Index (PCI), which is a numerical rating of the pavement quality based on the type and intensity of distress noticed on the pavement surface, was one of the key data sets gathered. All of the City’s 239 miles of public-use roadways had their PCI data updated, and staff has already started using these new ratings to prepare targeted paving upgrades while creating the City’s yearly paving program.

Additionally, the research provided a comparison to the PCI data gathered from the previous assessment project, which was carried out in 2017–2018, and contained a number of detailed condition overviews for the City’s existing street network. Additionally, a financial analysis offers suggested financing amounts required to meet particular PCI improvement target alternatives within a five-year budgetary window.

In addition to street data, the City is receiving PCI data for the first time ever for the 22.9 miles of paved public-use sidepaths, as well as an updated asset condition picture for the 251 miles of sidewalk network and its 6,006 associated accessible curb ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.