Sidewalk Accessibility Assessment with Daxbots

Small robots will help collect sidewalk accessibility information across Tyler

This summer, a new kind of City project will roll into Tyler, one sidewalk at a time. We are working with Kimley-Horn and Daxbot to collect accessibility information for pedestrian facilities in public rights-of-way and trails across the city. This work supports the City’s ADA self-evaluation and transition planning process.

What residents should know

Residents may see Daxbot robots operating in public areas during daylight hours throughout the project.

The robots are designed for shared public environments. They prioritize human safety and are designed to yield to people. Data collection is limited to information related to pedestrian infrastructure, and the robots do not store personal information.

The robots move at walking speed along pedestrian pathways while collecting information on sidewalks and trails, curb ramps, signalized intersections, and transit stops. Using this technology also helps reduce the need for staff to gather the same information in or near traffic.

Drivers are asked to use caution around the project area, just as they would for other field crews working near streets and intersections.

Daxbot welcomes robot selfies but asks that residents allow the units to continue working without obstruction.

When a robot finishes a designated area of sidewalk, it may stop to upload data and wait for pickup. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with the unit.

What this project includes

Using robotic field collection technology, the project team will document existing conditions of pedestrian facilities and identify barriers to access in the public right-of-way. This approach will produce a more detailed, consistent record of pedestrian infrastructure conditions and is expected to reduce time and costs compared with traditional methods.

Field collection will be performed on approximately 94.5 miles of sidewalks and trails and associated curb ramps, 122 signalized intersections, and 59 transit stops.

Why robots are being used

The robots move at walking speed along pedestrian pathways while collecting information on sidewalks and trails, curb ramps, signalized intersections, and transit stops. Using this technology helps the project team gather consistent data across a large area while reducing the need for staff to collect the same information in or near traffic.

How this fits into the larger ADA plan

This sidewalk assessment is one part of the City of Tyler’s ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The broader effort reviews City-owned or City-managed facilities, programs, and public spaces to help identify barriers to access and support future improvements.

The full ADA evaluation includes sidewalks, trails, intersections, transit stops, parks, buildings, parking lots, and other public spaces under City responsibility. This work also helps support the City’s eligibility for grant opportunities tied to accessibility improvements.

This assessment will give the City a clearer, more comprehensive picture of conditions across Tyler’s pedestrian network. The information collected will help inform future planning and prioritization for accessibility improvements across public spaces that fall under City responsibility.

The City already invests $500,000 annually in Half Cent Sales Tax funds for pedestrian and sidewalk improvements. The ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan will work alongside those investments, helping prioritize the projects that will make the biggest difference for Tyler families and visitors.

About Daxbot

Daxbot builds “good” robots for work in urban spaces. Its robots are designed to prioritize human safety, comfort, and privacy, helping cities, businesses, and project teams carry out fieldwork and other tasks more efficiently while keeping people at the center of the experience.

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