SPILAB: Creating Pathways for Community-Centered Mobility in Illinois and Sao Paulo: Advancing Accessibility, Public Health, and Climate Resilience

• Grant number: 25/02274-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computing Methodologies and Techniques
• Principal Investigator: Roberto Marcondes Cesar Junior
• Grantee: Roberto Marcondes Cesar Junior
• Principal researcher abroad: Fabio Miranda
• Institution abroad: University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), United States
• Host Institution: Instituto de Matemática e Estatística (IME). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Bianca Carvalho Vieira ; Rafael Jeferson Pezzuto Damaceno
• Associated research grant: 22/15304-4 - Learning context rich representations for computer vision, AP.TEM

Abstract

Ensuring safe and climate-resilient urban accessibility is an increasing challenge in cities worldwide, affecting economic growth, health, safety, and quality of life. Urban accessibility refers to the ease with which individuals reach essential destinations, such as workplaces, schools, and healthcare services, using available transportation and infrastructure. This project proposes the establishment of SPILAB (São Paulo & Illinois Living Accessibility & Mobility Lab), a sociotechnical framework that will bring together teams from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and the University of São Paulo (USP) to develop computational solutions aimed at enhancing urban accessibility.The project addresses key challenges such as the lack of standardized, high-resolution data on pedestrian infrastructure, particularly in regions vulnerable to extreme weather events. Initiatives will include mapping data gaps, conducting pilot studies with researcher exchanges between Brazil and the U.S., and creating a data living lab to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing. Innovative methods from remote sensing, machine learning, and urban computing will be applied to analyze and predict impacts on urban mobility.Chicago and São Paulo serve as ideal testbeds due to their shared accessibility challenges and distinct urban landscapes. While Chicago experiences mobility disruptions from snowstorms and flooding, São Paulo faces challenges from rapid urban expansion and frequent floods impacting pedestrian pathways. The comparative approach will enable the development of scalable, adaptable solutions across diverse urban environments.SPILAB will integrate ongoing projects such as Project Sidewalk and SideSeeing, which leverage computer vision technologies to assess urban infrastructure. Activities will include high-resolution data collection in both cities, workshops engaging stakeholders, and the exchange of four researchers between UIC and USP. Expected outcomes include scientific advancements, improved community resilience, and the establishment of a transnational collaboration network focused on urban accessibility. (AU)