Illinois Department of Transportation ADA Prioritization and Compliance

About this Project

In order to ensure that all state roadways met the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Illinois Department of Transportation engaged a team of engineering professionals and infrastructure specialists to develop a plan that would identify sites in violation and prioritize remediation. GIS played a key role in identifying project sites that needed to become compliant immediately, helping the team determine the priority of the remaining sites, collecting data where more information was needed, and monitoring the progress of project work.

We used our knowledge of sociodemographic and physical datasets and imagery to develop a prioritization process that relied on empirical data, rather than political considerations or convenience. A prioritization tool was developed to place parameters on attribution associated with the project sites such as sidewalk width, ramp slope, and distance to a transit stop. The prioritization tool measured the degree to which project sites exceeded the thresholds (ramp too steep, sidewalk too narrow, very close to transit), and these sites were given the highest priority for remediation. For those sites needing review or more data collection, a mapping application was developed so that project team members could visit a project site, take measurements, photographs, and other observations, and enter data via a mobile device. Once entered, the data could be viewed immediately by analysts in the office, as well as other key decision makers.

GIS made it possible to visualize at-risk populations, high-traffic areas, and problematic infrastructure. It allowed for the development of an unbiased and efficient process for prioritizing project sites for remediation. The mapping application gives team members and project managers immediate access to complete, real-time information about any site, as well as the ability to make edits to project site information. This is something that cannot be done with hard copy exhibits. These processes and tools have ensured that the State of Illinois’ public right-of-ways are fully accessible in a timely and efficient manner.