Esri UK has created a new interactive map using its ArcGIS mapping software, after finding most pavements are less than 3 metres wide, making it difficult to remain 2 metres apart for social distancing
Using measurements from Ordnance Survey, Esri UK has created an interactive map of all pavement widths, discovering that only 30% of Great Britain’s pavements are at least 3 metres wide, 36% are between 2-3 metres and 34% are less than 2 metres wide.
The new interactive map data is free to help the public sector and other organisations respond to government guidelines for social distancing, as councils adapt their infrastructure to make walking safer for the public.
Over 30 local authorities are using the new pavement map to date.
Covid-19 Disaster Response Programme
The map is part of Esri UK’s Covid-19 Disaster Response Programme, created to provide any organisation with new mapping and analytical capabilities for free, to help manage their response to the pandemic.
Local authorities, for example, are using Esri’s mapping and analysis tools to help adjust their service provision, map vulnerable communities, deploy volunteers and communicate with citizens.
Ensuring walking is as safe as possible
Paul Clarke, head of Esri UK’s Government practice, said: “The pavement map is designed to help local authorities and related organisations prioritise their efforts, to ensure the safety of the public, as lockdown restrictions are being gradually eased.
“By giving them an instant view of the situation they’re faced with, the map reduces the time needed to manually measure pavements and not rely on records which may be out of date.
“Easy access to current pavement width data will help all councils make faster decisions with greater certainty and ensure walking is as safe as possible.”
Esri UK is able to provide the OS MasterMap free to Local Authorities as the data is covered by the PSGA agreement (Public Sector Geospatial Agreement). The data can also be made available free to the private sector, via the Ordnance Survey Mapping for Emergencies programme.
Local authorities and related organisations can access the interactive map here.
