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City to initiate ADA assessment of sidewalks
The city of Burleson is pleased to announce that Kimley-Horn, an engineering, planning and design consulting firm, will conduct a comprehensive ADA assessment of the city’s public right-of-way sidewalks. The assessment is scheduled to begin the week of Jan. 20 and underscores the city’s commitment to accessibility and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The assessment will use a combination of trained assessment technicians and a state-of-the-art robotic assessment device known as a Dax robot. This approach pairs advanced technology with professional expertise to provide a thorough and accurate evaluation of sidewalk conditions and identify areas in need of improvement to better serve all residents, including individuals with disabilities. The city owns approximately 200 miles of sidewalk that will be evaluated during the process.
Why use robots?
The use of robots moving at walking speed allows for precise measurements while keeping human crews out of traffic. Compared with traditional, labor-intensive methods, the robotic technology provides a more cost-efficient way to collect accessibility data while covering a larger area in less time. The robots also capture highly detailed engineering measurements, including slope, travel width, vertical changes and other conditions relevant to ADA standards, with a level of consistency and accuracy that would be difficult to achieve through manual data collection alone. The results will be compiled into an inventory of sidewalk hazards and accessibility concerns to guide future planning and improvements.
The city of Burleson is committed to creating a more inclusive and accessible community. This ADA self-assessment is an important step in identifying and addressing barriers within the public right of way and will help guide future improvements.
ADA Self-Assessment Details
- Start date: Week of Jan. 20
- Conducted by: Kimley-Horn
- Technology: Combination of trained assessment technicians and Dax robotic assessment devices
- Objective: Identify and evaluate accessibility of public right-of-way sidewalks to ensure ADA compliance
Residents may see assessment teams and Dax robots operating throughout the city in the coming weeks. Motorists are asked to show the same courtesy they would provide to road maintenance crews. The city expects minimal disruption and appreciates the community’s cooperation during this important effort.
What do the robots capture?
The robotic assessment technology used in this project collects engineering data about sidewalks and pedestrian pathways — such as slope, width and surface conditions — to support ADA compliance. The robots do not capture personal photographs of people, homes or private property. Data will be used only for accessibility evaluation and planning.
See how Dax robots collect data for ADA right of way evaluations.
For the engineering minded, here are the instruments Dax uses to collect sidewalk data:
| Measurement | Measuring Device | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
Elevation Measurements | Keyence IL-300 Laser Measurement | 1/32 inch |
Distance Measurements | RTK GPS System augmented with internal Tread-Based System | 1/16 inch |
Angular (Slope) Measurements | CTi TILT-57A Inclinometer | 0.03% |
Photogrammetry | High resolution optical measurements | > 97% |