The City of Hoboken today announced that on Monday, July 13, it will begin a survey of Hoboken's sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure using robotic scanners. It is part of a month-long data collection effort to support the City’s new Accessibility Action Plan as part of the City's updated Vision Zero Action Plan.
Over the next month, residents will begin seeing Daxbot robots traveling along Hoboken sidewalks to collect information about the existing conditions of sidewalks, curb ramps, push buttons for pedestrian signals, crosswalks, and park pathways to help identify accessibility barriers throughout the public right-of-way.
The City is also launching a public accessibility survey to gather feedback from residents, City staff, businesses, and community organizations. The input from the survey and stakeholder engagement will help shape accessibility priorities and recommendations for future improvements to the public right-of-way. The survey will complement the engineering assessment by identifying accessibility challenges and opportunities that may not be captured through data collection and field observations alone.
To take the public survey, which is scheduled to close on July 23, CLICK HERE.
“Hoboken has become a national model for street safety because we've consistently invested in making our streets work better for everyone,” said Mayor Emily B. Jabbour. “As we update our Vision Zero Action Plan, we're expanding that commitment by taking a comprehensive look at accessibility throughout our city. By combining innovative technology like Daxbot with feedback from residents and guidance from accessibility advocates, we'll better understand where improvements are needed and develop a roadmap that makes Hoboken's streets, sidewalks, and public spaces safer and more welcoming for everyone.”
Mayor Jabbour first introduced the accessibility plan in her executive order she signed in March recommitting the City to Vision Zero.
The Daxbot robots, which will wear a high-visibility vest, travel at walking speed and use sensors to collect detailed engineering measurements, including sidewalk width, cross slope, running slope, vertical changes, curb ramp conditions, and other features for Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility.
The robots, which will be supervised at all times, are designed specifically for shared public spaces and prioritize pedestrian safety by yielding to people using sidewalks. The robots collect engineering data related only to pedestrian infrastructure and do not store personal information.
Residents who encounter a Daxbot are encouraged to take a selfie and tag the City at @CityofHoboken and Daxbot at @idigdax - but are asked not to obstruct the robot as it completes its work. Please note, when a robot finishes surveying a designated area, it may temporarily stop to upload data or wait for pickup.
The City will also continue working with a stakeholder advisory group representing residents, advocacy organizations, community partners, and accessibility experts to review findings, identify priorities, and help inform recommendations included in both the ADA Accessibility Plan and the Vision Zero Action Plan update.
Hoboken has been recognized nationally for its commitment to traffic safety through its Vision Zero initiative. The City has maintained nine consecutive years without a traffic death. The updated Vision Zero Action Plan will build on that success by identifying additional strategies to improve safety, accessibility, and mobility for everyone who lives, works, and visits Hoboken.
