Council Member Wilson asks DOT about sidewalk detection technology research

Thank you, Chair.

Hi, Commissioner.

In your testimony, you said that the sidewalk detection technology is ineffective or doesn't work very well.

I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about what research informed that decision or that determination.

Sure.

So I'll need to check with the team on specifics of the research we did, but I know that we're constantly monitoring what's out there and tracking the industry and seeing what's available.

I think it's based on observation and awareness of what products are out there.

And we're involved with various industry groups where we trade information and things like that.

We're always trying to stay at the forefront.

We've had conversations with some of the operators as well and some peer cities.

So, I mean, at a high level, that's sort of what it's based on.

I mean, I would want to reiterate that we're certainly strongly in support of the goal.

So it's really just about trying to identify the specific tools that can get us there.

Just in conversations like that I've had with folks in the industry, they tell us that technology does exist and that it can work.

So, like, how often is that?

reviewed?

How often are you checking?

You said all the time, but what does that really mean?

I'm not sure I can quantify it, but we have a pretty large team devoted to Vision Zero policy research, analysis.

They're involved with different groups.

We talk to the manufacturers.

As you can imagine, the manufacturers come to us a lot.

Everybody has a product.

Everybody says their product can do everything and is great.

We have to try to unpack it a bit.

So, I mean, we're hopeful that the technology can get there, but at this moment, we're not confident.