Alaska ‘data bike’ proposal aims to reform how DOT assesses its sidewalks and trails

In Idaho, Boise’s metropolitan proscription readying statement uses this “data bike” to thief measure nan information of its progressive proscription network. The Alaska Department of Transportation is seeking assistance backing to commencement a akin program. (Courtesy of Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho)

Right now, information reports astir Alaska’s state-owned sidewalks, motorcycle paths and boardwalks are wholly anecdotal. 

And that makes Julius Adolfsson’s occupation difficult. He’s an progressive proscription planner pinch nan Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. 

“Right now, it’s up to our, you know, M and O crew, maybe, to constituent out, ‘Hey, that sidewalk there, aliases that broadside way complete there, it’s not looking awesome – we person guidelines damage, aliases we person heaving caused by, you know, frost issues and truthful on,’” he said. 

Adolfsson wants nan section to move to a much comprehensive, data-driven approach. More meticulous and timely position reports astir existing pedestrian and motorcycle infrastructure, he said, will amended attraction scheduling and readying for early projects.

He’s working connected a national grant exertion to commencement a “data bike” programme that he hopes will yet spell statewide. 

The thought is to get immoderate e-bikes kitted retired pinch cameras and typical smartphone package that captures really unsmooth a way is, among different data. Imagine a Google StreetView car, but slimmed down arsenic an e-bike, and you benignant of get nan picture. 

The tech isn’t exotic. In Idaho, Boise’s metropolitan proscription readying statement has had a information motorcycle program since 2021. Tori Cale is that organization’s motorcycle and pedestrian technician who’s been riding nan information bike. She said an first assistance of astir $6,000 paid for nan organization’s bike. 

On Thursday, nan argumentation committee of Anchorage’s metropolitan proscription readying statement voted to support DOT’s assistance application. 

Adolfsson said it’s a scalable, businesslike and sustainable solution, peculiarly fixed Alaska’s galore agrarian communities. 

“You don’t person to vessel an full car,” he said. “You can, you know, cheque your motorcycle and cheque your instrumentality and possibly get connected a flight, even. So you don’t person to barge immoderate car up to immoderate of our agrarian communities.”

There’s nary cognition scheme yet, but he said immoderate different governments pinch information motorcycle programs get volunteers to beryllium riders done section cycling clubs. 

Adolfsson expects to perceive successful astir six months whether Alaska will get the national grant for nan pilot. He said nan section will apt inquire for $100,000 to $200,000, though that isn’t last yet. 

If nan assistance comes through, he thinks an Alaska information motorcycle aviator could motorboat successful astir a year, pinch a statewide rollout six months aft that.