--- title: Welcome --- ## Welcome to the TCAT Wiki! This site explains how to use the open-source transportation accessibility **tools** and **data** developed by the [Taskar Center for Accessible Technology](https://tcat.cs.washington.edu/) (TCAT), especially [OS-CONNECT](os-connect/index.md) (Washington State's connected pedestrian network dataset) and the [TDEI](tdei/index.md) (the infrastructure that stores and serves that data). --- ### What's Your Goal? | If you want to… | Use | |-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **View** | [OS-CONNECT Data Viewer](os-connect/data-viewer/index.md) — a view-only map; no GIS required | | **Download** | [TDEI Portal](tdei/portal/index.md) — manage accounts, API keys, and access controls | | **Plan** | [Walksheds](walksheds/index.md) — scenario planning, project proposal evaluation, and prioritization | | **Route** | [AccessMap](accessmap/index.md) — a public routing app, no portal required | --- ### User Journeys Choose your path: each one starts with the simplest document and then offers deeper options. ??? abstract "I want to use AccessMap as a resident or advocate" Do you want to find accessible, customized pedestrian routing and share it with others? **Get Started:** [Use AccessMap](accessmap/user-manual/index.md) ??? abstract "I work for a jurisdiction or agency" Do you want to see what pedestrian infrastructure exists for your area, understand what the numbers mean, and decide what to do next? **Get Started:** [View the data](os-connect/data-viewer/user-manual/index.md) and get a [Jurisdiction Snapshot](os-connect/qa-qc/user-manual/index.md) ??? abstract "I want to import my existing data into the TDEI" Do you have existing datasets of sidewalks, curb ramps, bus stops, or other features that you want to get into the TDEI system? **Get Started:** Check out our tutorials, guides, and examples: [Curb Ramp Data into the TDEI](tdei/portal/tutorial/curb-points-in-tdei.md), [Core Edges in OSW](opensidewalks/schema/core-edges-in-osw.md), [Custom Points in OSW](opensidewalks/schema/custom-points-in-osw.md), and much more in our [Guides List](guides-list/index.md)! ??? abstract "I want to contribute as a mapper" Do you want to help with mapping sidewalks, crossings, and curbs - directly in OpenStreetMap? **Get Started:** Check out our ["Mapping for OSW in OSM" tutorial](opensidewalks/tasking-manager/tutorial/osw-in-osmustm/index.md) and our [list of Tasking Manager projects](opensidewalks/tasking-manager/project-list.md)! --- ### Key Takeaways If you remember only three things, remember these: **[OS-CONNECT](os-connect/index.md) is the dataset** — It is a connected pedestrian network for Washington State (sidewalks, crossings, curb ramps, and related features) in the [OpenSidewalks schema](opensidewalks/schema/index.md), organized so it can be used for routing and analysis. **[TDEI](tdei/index.md) is the platform** — It is where data can be accessed for downloads and APIs, and where tools like [AccessMap](accessmap/index.md), [Walksheds](walksheds/index.md), [AVIV ScoutRoute](aviv-scoutroute/index.md), and [Workspaces](workspaces/index.md) connect to the data. **[AccessMap](accessmap/index.md) is the router** — It uses OpenSidewalks Schema-formatted data to provide custom accessible pedestrian routing without requiring specialized tools. --- ### Projects **[OS-CONNECT](os-connect/index.md)** — Washington State connected pedestrian network dataset. **[TDEI](tdei/index.md)** — Platform infrastructure for storing, serving, and integrating transportation accessibility data. **[OpenSidewalks](opensidewalks/index.md)** — The data standard/schema used to represent pedestrian networks as a connected graph. **[Workspaces](workspaces/index.md)** — Tools for creating and maintaining OSW datasets (via editors like [Rapid](rapid/index.md) and [AVIV ScoutRoute](aviv-scoutroute/index.md)). **[AccessMap](accessmap/index.md)** — Accessible multimodal routing and trip planning. **[Walksheds](walksheds/index.md)** — Analysis of access to destinations using the pedestrian network. **[AVIV ScoutRoute](aviv-scoutroute/index.md)** — Mobile app for adding data into the existing pedestrian map. AVIV ScoutRoute enables everyone to make structured, clear, and direct contributions of surveyed data to enhance it or keep it up to date. _Additional TCAT projects are listed on the [TCAT website](https://tcat.cs.washington.edu/current-projects/)._ --- ### Quick Concepts New to this? If you are unfamiliar with some of this terminology, start with these short explanations to learn the concepts in less than 5 minutes: ??? question "Points of Interest (POIs)" A **point of interest** (POI) is a specific, identifiable location that is relevant to pedestrians or travelers, such as a transit stop, park entrance, business, public facility, or other amenity. In the context of TCAT projects, POIs are used alongside pedestrian network data to analyze access to destinations and services. ??? question "Connected Networks" A **connected network** is a graph of pedestrian infrastructure — sidewalks, crossings, curb ramps, and other paths — where all elements are linked as Nodes, Edges, and Zones forming a complete, traversable network. This is in contrast to disconnected or partial datasets where features exist in isolation. **Why this matters:** - **Routing** — A connected network enables turn-by-turn pedestrian navigation and accessibility-focused trip planning (as in [AccessMap](accessmap/index.md)), because every path segment connects to the next. - **Analysis** — Connectivity allows for network-level analyses (such as [walksheds](walksheds/index.md)), enabling gap detection and equity assessments — computations that require understanding how infrastructure elements relate to one another. ??? question "Walksheds" A **walkshed** is the area reachable via a specified mode of transport from a given location within a specified travel time or distance, considering the actual pedestrian network. Unlike a simple radius, a walkshed accounts for real-world path connectivity, barriers, and infrastructure conditions. The [Walksheds](walksheds/index.md) tool uses pedestrian network data to compute and visualize these areas, enabling analysis of access to amenities and services. :octicons-arrow-right-24: [Learn more](walksheds/index.md) ??? question "Routing Profiles" A **routing profile** is a set of preferences and constraints that customize how a pedestrian route is calculated. For example, a routing profile may specify maximum acceptable incline, preference for curb ramps, or avoidance of unpaved surfaces. Tools like [AccessMap](accessmap/index.md) use routing profiles to generate personalized, accessibility-aware directions based on individual needs. :octicons-arrow-right-24: [Learn more](accessmap/index.md) --- ### Tutorials, User Manuals, and Guides Looking for step-by-step instructions? Start with our full **[Guides List](guides-list/index.md)** or try ++ctrl+k++ **Search**!