Challenge: Helsinki: How to generate pedestrian route information with participative data collection?

Riesa Consultative Oy – Crowdsourced accessibility survey for two districts in the City of Helsinki

Riesa Consultative Oy, in collaboration with Crowdsorsa, conducted a pilot in Helsinki and Tallinn to test a new method for collecting accurate, up-to-date accessibility data for individuals with accessibility needs. The pilot aimed to collect information specifically on the accessibility of pedestrian crossings and the condition of routes.

The Crowdsorsa mobile game encouraged users to move around the city in various predefined areas and take photos along the way in exchange for a small monetary compensation. The photos provided information on how the routes work from the perspective of visually impaired and wheelchair users. Riesa Consultative Oy analysed the photographic material.

The pilots conducted in Helsinki and Tallinn demonstrated that the game works well as a method for data collection. Additionally, the pilots proved that there is a need for more up-to-date information on routes and accessibility. In Tallinn, the game has since been used to map the accessibility of public transport stops