Missoula, MT – Missoula County has introduced Dax, a mobile device that has recently been spotted traveling through parks, sidewalks and trails as part of the county’s effort to evaluate accessibility.
Dax is being used to collect measurements of sidewalks, trails and other outdoor features to support Missoula County’s federally required Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) self-evaluation and transition planning.
According to the county, Dax is not a security robot. Its cameras remain pointed toward the pavement while collecting field measurements, and the county said no personal data is collected or stored by the device.
The measurements collected by Dax will be used by LifeQuest, the county’s ADA consultant, to help identify accessibility barriers throughout Missoula County.
The sidewalk grades and other accessibility measurements will help the county determine where barriers exist, prioritize improvements over time and plan future accessibility projects.
County officials said the information gathered through the project will provide a better understanding of existing accessibility conditions and help guide responsible improvements for residents and visitors.
