The sidewalk in front of 2855 Pembina Highway, where the City of Winnipeg rolled out a new machine to monitor sidewalk conditions on Friday, August 23, 2024. (GOOGLE STREET VIEW)
Winnipeg residents may notice some futuristic-looking quads patrolling the city’s sidewalks this month, but there’s no need for alarm.
These machines are part of a new initiative by the City of Winnipeg to better assess and maintain the conditions of sidewalks and pathways.
Two advanced sidewalk surface testers will be collecting data over the next few months, covering nearly 3,200 kilometres of asphalt and concrete walkways throughout the city.
“This new technology will make a real difference in how we keep sidewalks in good shape,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.
“By using these advanced tools, we’re improving how we assess and maintain our infrastructure, which means better service for all Winnipeggers. This is a practical step toward ensuring our sidewalks are safe and accessible for everyone.”
The data collection, which is a first for the city’s sidewalks, will focus on various factors, including sidewalk length, width, surface material, tripping hazards, cracks, and steepness. The city says this comprehensive approach will provide a baseline understanding of current conditions and help the city plan future maintenance and renewal activities.
The data collected will be used to categorize the condition of sidewalks into classifications ranging from new to very poor, similar to the city’s existing street condition assessments. The city plans to repeat this data collection process in 2027 and every three years thereafter to ensure sidewalks remain safe and accessible for all residents.
