City looks to AI tools to reduce micromobility devices blocking sidewalks

City staff is considering artificial intelligence tools to make reductions in the number of e-scooters and other micromobility devices left in public rights of way. At the most recent meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People With Disabilities, staff from the Transportation and Public Works Department said the companies that own and rent scooters have had to take a reactive stance to complaints over impediments to those in wheelchairs or with visual impairments facing an obstruction from a misplaced scooter, with the requirement to respond to a complaint and remove the device within two hours. But the in-process addition of AI tools checking the end-of-rental parking photos from users is hoped to prevent parking problems from taking place. Commissioners asked if the city has the ability to ticket users who place a device in a right of way, but that step is not possible because rental data provided to the city from micromobility companies is anonymized.