pavementpresent

Pavementpresent is a digital platform designed to collect real‑time data on pedestrian pavement conditions across urban areas. Developed by the UK Department for Transport in partnership with local authorities, the system was launched in 2019 to provide a crowdsourced database of hazards such as cracks, uneven surfaces, and obstructions that affect walking safety. Users register on the web site or via a mobile application and can report incidents by taking photographs, selecting pre‑defined damage categories, and recording a GPS location. Each report is automatically triangulated and uploaded to a central Geographic Information System where it can be visualised on a map and downloaded by maintenance teams.

The primary objective of Pavementpresent is to support evidence‑based decision‑making for pavement maintenance and to reduce the number of street‑side injuries. Early pilot studies in Greater London found that the platform increased reporting of pavement faults by 45 % compared with conventional inspection reports, and that repair schedules adjusted more quickly to emerging hazards. In 2022, the initial London pilot was expanded to cover Manchester, Birmingham and York, with each city adopting a custom data‑sharing agreement to meet local policy requirements.

As of 2025, the service processes an average of 12,000 reports monthly and links with the Traffic Management System for automatic prioritisation of repair work. The data set is also used by researchers studying the correlation between pavement quality and walking participation. Critics argue that the platform may over‑represent high‑traffic areas and under‑report routes accessed primarily by walkers with mobility aids, though the agency has introduced a bias‑mitigation protocol in the latest update. Pavementpresent remains a key element of the UK’s strategy to produce safer, more inclusive walkable streets.