Public Space Asset Inventory Yields Positive Results

A recent inventory of permanent assets in DowntownDC BID area public spaces shows, overall, that the 12 unit items inventoried—from alleyways and bike racks to tree boxes and wayfinding signs—are in good condition. The inventory was conducted over 30 days from July 30th to August 28th using a mobile application created by the BID’s Public Space Management (PSM) department to better identify, report and track elements in the public space realm with the goal of enhancing Downtown’s overall physical environment and the pedestrian experience. The app is used in the field for condition reporting, monthly inventory, and geographic information system (GIS) inventory.

All told, both PSM and Operations staff members (10 SAMs now part of the Quality Assurance Team) documented 98%, or 9,657, of the permanent assets located in the BID area. Nearly 93% of these assets were problem-free. However, more than 700 unique conditions were found, with bike racks and catch basins (storm drains) having the lowest percentage of damages—2.4% and 1.8%, respectively. Traffic control boxes had the highest percentage of documented problems (20.2%) relative to the number of assets inventoried, and of Downtown’s 15 metro entrances, eight had a total of 12 reported conditions, thus recording the highest percentage of damages (53.3%).

Other highlights: more than 25% of sidewalk vendors with permits were not at their assigned locations or were missing from the area, a discrepancy caused by different variables. Street poles, the most heavily inventoried item behind tree boxes (2,564 vs. 2,700) had 213 conditions that included exposed wiring caused by missing base covers. The surveyors also documented conditions that were not included on the 12-unit list to ensure that all problems were identified and eventually reported and addressed.

During the fieldwork, staff members also uncovered inaccurate, outdated or poorly positioned GIS data, which led to more than 400 GIS edits in August. Street poles, trees and tree boxes accounted for the highest number of GIS edits, with a few of them either being added or removed. Several traffic control box locations also were highly inaccurate. Addressing these inaccuracies allows the BID to understand the full scope of public space assets and their positioning to one another and alerts public agencies of the need to improve their data, thus supplementing their current data management.

The relatively good condition results now mean that permanent assets that were to be surveyed on a monthly basis will now be inventoried quarterly. PSM also plans to add other elements, such as fire hydrants and parking meters, to the inventory list and enhance the mobile application in fiscal year 2013. Improved information, accurate data on assets and conditions, and a strong working relationship with public agencies that can address many asset problems will vastly improve public space issues in Downtown DC, leading to a greater experience for all.

[Note that this project excluded large-scale, permanent assets such as sidewalks and streets, which are monitored under a separate reporting system. Also, areas around CityCenterDC and Reservation 72, also known as Chinatown Park, were not included in the permanent asset inventory count because both areas are now under construction. Locations near I-395 service roads were also excluded.]