SMALL Pilot Insight

The limits of crowdsourced accessibility data collection – InclusionParticipative highlighted the difficulty of relying on volunteer crowd-sourced accessibility data collection. Prior to the pilot, reporting volumes were too low to generate the density of obstacle information needed for consistently reliable accessible routing, which in turn reduced the value of the service for users. The pilot was a response to this, testing how more coordinated approaches could complement the original data collection model. While the introduction of paid StreeterPro reporting has increased the number of obstacles reported, organisers have found it difficult to increase crowd-sourced obstacle reporting – despite various initiatives aimed at doing so. 

Organisers explored creating data collection groups, obtaining volunteer “ambassadors” who promote obstacle reporting, and organising campaigns amongst large employers for obstacle reporting. Experiments with ambassadors and data collection campaigns, including with Brest Métropole staff, failed to sufficiently boost reporting numbers.  Reporting-app users noted that “it’s a good idea, but I don’t have the reflex to take out my mobile phone to report an obstacle”.    

Workshops were organised with associations representing target users, like the local chapter of the French Association of Paralysed People. These workshops introduced StreetCo obstacle reporting to association representatives and members, encouraging them to carry out obstacle reporting challenges. Although the initiative was met with enthusiasm by members, associations had difficulty devoting sufficient human resources to member engagement, and they struggled to motivate participation in reporting. In addition, organisers found that volunteer-reported data from all sources tended to be of poor quality. Accurate and helpful reporting requires a certain degree of knowledge about what makes for effective reporting.