Interface Overview
Interface Overview⚓︎
This section introduces the AccessMap interface, including the sidebar, map controls, and legend.
For a list of all guides on the TCAT Wiki, refer to the Guides List.
Map Overview⚓︎
The AccessMap interface consists of two main areas: the sidebar on the left, which contains controls for search, profile selection, and preferences; and the map view on the right, which displays the pedestrian network and any planned route.
Sidebar⚓︎
The left sidebar is the primary control panel for AccessMap. It contains:
| Element | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Main Menu | Top left | Opens the main menu (☰ "hamburger" icon) |
| Region Selector | Top bar | Displays the currently selected region (e.g., "Seattle, WA"); select to switch |
| Tasks | Top bar | Opens the tasks panel, showing how the data collection process was organized |
| Search Bar | Below top bar | Search for an address or location to use as a waypoint in your route |
| Profile Panel | Below search | Select a pre-defined mobility profile or customize individual routing preferences |
Main Menu⚓︎
Select the Main Menu button (☰) at the top left of the sidebar to open a panel with the following options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| About | Opens a popup with information about AccessMap |
| Contact | Opens a popup with contact information |
| Tracking for research | Toggle to opt in or out of anonymous usage tracking for research |
| Developer mode | Toggle to enable developer-oriented features |
Map Controls⚓︎
Controls are positioned around the edges of the map view in two groups.
Top Right⚓︎
| Control | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Take a tour | Opens a series of guided popups introducing the AccessMap interface |
|
| Map Legend | Opens a right sidebar displaying the map legend (see Map Legend) |
Bottom Right⚓︎
| Control | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Start route from your location | Centers the map on your current location |
|
| Zoom In / Zoom Out | Increase / decrease the map zoom level |
Map Legend⚓︎
Select the Map Legend button (top right of the map) to open a right sidebar that explains the symbols and colors used on the map. The legend is organized into the following sections:
Movement Speed Due to Incline
Sidewalks and footways are color-coded by how their incline affects movement speed:
- Blue solid line — High speed (flat)
- Pink solid line — Medium speed (moderate incline)
- Orange solid line — Low speed (steep)
- Red dotted line — Inaccessible
Crossings
- Light gray line — Unmarked crossing
- Striped line — Marked crossing
- Red dotted line — Inaccessible
Stairs
- Black dashed blocks — Accessible
- Red dashed blocks — Inaccessible
Points
Point features (such as curb ramps, signals, and other landmarks) are displayed as small dots on the map.
Buildings
Buildings are shown as shaded shapes and can be referenced in screen reader alerts during navigation.
Indoor Navigation
Walkways, stairs, moving sidewalks/travelators, escalators, elevators, fare gates, exit gates, and inaccessible paths are all displayed on the map in different colors.
Incline Bar⚓︎
At the very bottom of the screen, a horizontal bar displays a color gradient labeled Speed at incline %. This bar maps incline percentages (from flat to steep) to the colors used on the map, which update in real time based on the currently selected mobility profile's maximum uphill and downhill steepness settings, providing a quick reference for interpreting path colors without opening the full map legend.
Tip
The image comparison slider above compares two map views: once where the steepness values are set to the minimum possible, and once where the steepness values are set to the maximum possible. This highlights how the steepness sliders, incline bar, and map colors all update in sync.
Inspecting a Feature⚓︎
You can tap or click on any feature on the map — such as a sidewalk, crossing, or curb ramp — to view its details. A popup appears at the bottom of the screen showing:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Type | The kind of feature (shown as the popup title) | Sidewalk |
| Description | A human-readable description of the feature's location | Sidewalk SE of Lenora Street |
| Incline | The slope grade of the feature, as a percentage | 4% |
| Surface | The surface material | Concrete |
The popup also provides three action buttons:
| Button | Description |
|---|---|
| Route From Here | Sets this feature's location as the route origin (waypoint A) |
| Route To Here | Sets this feature's location as the route destination (waypoint B) |
| Share Feedback | Opens the Share Feedback form for this feature |
Tip
Tapping a feature is a quick way to start planning a route — select Route From Here or Route To Here to use that location as a waypoint without needing to search for an address.
Trip Options⚓︎
At the bottom of the sidebar (below the profile panel), the Trip options section allows you to set a departure date and time for your route. This can be useful when planning a trip in advance.
Tip
The image comparison slider above compares two departure times for the same route: early morning, when a building is closed and AccessMap routes around it, versus the afternoon, when the building is open and the route passes through it.
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