Merge pull request #49 from TaskarCenterAtUW/feat/docs-welcome/3055-add-quick-concepts

uw-amy-bordenave · web-flow · commit 312ebde83602 · 2026-02-12T12:30:30.000-08:00
Add a Quick Concepts section
diff --git a/docs/index.md b/docs/index.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ title: Welcome
 
 ## Welcome to the TCAT Wiki!
 
-The [Taskar Center for Accessible Technology](https://tcat.cs.washington.edu/) (TCAT), housed by the [Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering](https://www.cs.washington.edu/) (CSE) at the [University of Washington](https://www.washington.edu/) (the UW), develops, translates, and deploys open-source, universally accessible technologies with a focus on pedestrian networks.
+The [Taskar Center for Accessible Technology](https://tcat.cs.washington.edu/) (TCAT), housed by the [Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering](https://www.cs.washington.edu/) (CSE) at the [University of Washington](https://www.washington.edu/) (the UW), develops, translates, and deploys open-source, universally accessible technologies with a focus on technology designed for all human experiences, including living with disabilities.
 
 This wiki serves as a documentation hub for TCAT-related projects.
 
@@ -32,6 +32,53 @@ _Additional TCAT projects can be found [on the TCAT website](https://tcat.cs.was
 
 ---
 
+### Quick Concepts
+
+??? question "What is OS-CONNECT?"
+
+    **OS-CONNECT** (OpenSidewalks COnsistent Network for accessible Navigation and Equitable Connectivity through Transit) is a comprehensive, high-resolution, connected pedestrian network dataset for Washington State. Created under the directive of the Washington State Legislature, OS-CONNECT provides detailed sidewalk infrastructure data across 320+ cities and counties, supporting Washington's goals around transportation equity, safety, and accessibility.
+
+    [:octicons-arrow-right-24: Learn more](os-connect/index.md)
+
+??? question "What is the TDEI?"
+
+    The **Transportation Data Exchange Initiative** (TDEI) is a shared, standardized framework for transportation data that enables seamless integration across mobility systems. The TDEI provides infrastructure for collecting, storing, maintaining, and sharing open data about sidewalks, transit paths, and on-demand transit services, laying the groundwork for more effective transportation planning and innovation.
+
+    [:octicons-arrow-right-24: Learn more](tdei/index.md)
+
+??? question "What is OSW / OSW Schema?"
+
+    **OpenSidewalks** (OSW) is an initiative led by TCAT to provide a comprehensive, accessibility-forward specification for mapping sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. The **OpenSidewalks Schema** is the open data standard that promotes an explicit network (graph) model. Its primary features are defined as connected Nodes (points) and Edges (lines) representing a traversable, graph-analyzable pedestrian network of sidewalks, street crossings, and other paths, along with data representing potential barriers such as stairs and raised curbs.
+
+    [:octicons-arrow-right-24: Learn more](opensidewalks/index.md)
+
+??? question "What is a Connected Network?"
+
+    A **connected network** is a graph of pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks, crossings, curb ramps, and other paths where all elements are linked as Nodes, Edges, and Zones forming a complete, traversable network. This is in contrast to disconnected or partial datasets where features exist in isolation.
+
+    **Why this matters:**
+
+    - **Routing** — A connected network enables turn-by-turn pedestrian navigation and accessibility-focused trip planning (as in [AccessMap](accessmap/index.md)), because every path segment connects to the next.
+    - **Analysis** — Connectivity allows for network-level analyses (such as [walksheds](walksheds/index.md)), enabling gap detection and equity assessments, computations that require understanding how infrastructure elements relate to one another.
+
+??? question "What is a POI?"
+
+    A **Point of Interest** (POI) is a specific, identifiable location that is relevant to pedestrians or travelers, such as a transit stop, park entrance, business, public facility, or other amenity. In the context of TCAT projects, POIs are used alongside pedestrian network data to analyze access to destinations and services.
+
+??? question "What is a Walkshed?"
+
+    A **walkshed** is the area reachable via a specified mode of transport from a given location within a specified travel time or distance, considering the actual pedestrian network. Unlike a simple radius, a walkshed accounts for real-world path connectivity, barriers, and infrastructure conditions. The [TDEI Walksheds](walksheds/index.md) tool uses pedestrian network data to compute and visualize these areas, enabling analysis of access to amenities and services.
+
+    [:octicons-arrow-right-24: Learn more](walksheds/index.md)
+
+??? question "What is a Routing Profile?"
+
+    A **routing profile** is a set of preferences and constraints that customize how a pedestrian route is calculated. For example, a routing profile may specify maximum acceptable incline, preference for curb ramps, or avoidance of unpaved surfaces. Tools like [AccessMap](accessmap/index.md) use routing profiles to generate personalized, accessibility-aware directions based on individual needs.
+
+    [:octicons-arrow-right-24: Learn more](accessmap/index.md)
+
+---
+
 ### Resources
 
 - **[Guides List](guides-list/index.md)** — User manuals, tutorials, and technical documentation
diff --git a/includes/abbreviations.md b/includes/abbreviations.md
@@ -9,14 +9,16 @@
 *[ARNOLD]: All Road Network of Linear Referenced Data
 *[ASR]: AVIV ScoutRoute
 *[ATTRI]: Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative
-*[AVIV]: Accessibility Verification, Improved Validation.
+*[AVIV]: Accessibility Verification, Improved Validation
 *[AVIV SR]: AVIV ScoutRoute
 *[BART]: Bay Area Rapid Transit
 *[BLV]: Blind and Low-Vision
 *[BRT]: Bus Rapid Transit
 *[BTS]: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
 *[CC0]: Creative Commons Zero
-*[CDP]: Census-designated Place
+*[CDP]: Census-Designated Place
+*[CALACT]: California Association of Coordinated Transportation
+*[Cal-ITP]: California Integrated Travel Project
 *[CMP]: Congestion Management Process
 *[COE]: College of Engineering
 *[CRS]: Coordinate Reference System
@@ -27,6 +29,7 @@
 *[DSB]: Department of Services for the Blind
 *[DSM]: Digital Surface Model
 *[DTM]: Digital Terrain Model
+*[ETL]: Extract, Transform, Load
 *[FDE]: Fundamental Data Elements
 *[FHWA]: Federal Highway Administration
 *[FNS]: Food and Nutrition Service
@@ -57,27 +60,38 @@
 *[LiDAR]: Light Detection and Ranging
 *[LRS]: Linear Referencing System
 *[LRTP]: Long-Range Transportation Plan
+*[MBTA]: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
+*[MDIP]: Mobility Data Interoperability Principles
+*[MDOT]: Michigan Department of Transportation
 *[MIRE]: Model Inventory of Roadway Elements
 *[ML]: Machine Learning
+*[MnDOT]: Minnesota Department of Transportation
 *[MNY26]: Mappy New Year 2026
 *[MOU]: Memorandum of Understanding
 *[MPO]: Metropolitan Planning Organization
 *[MUTCD]: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
 *[NACTO]: National Association of City Transportation Officials
 *[NCHRP]: National Cooperative Highway Research Program
 *[NC-BPAID]: National Collaboration on Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Accessibility Infrastructure Data
+*[NCDOT]: North Carolina Department of Transportation
 *[NDA]: Nondrivers Alliance
 *[NEMT]: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
 *[NHS]: National Highway System
 *[NHTSA]: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
 *[NYPL]: New York Public Library
+*[ODOT]: Oregon Department of Transportation
 *[OGC]: Open Geospatial Consortium
+*[OMF]: Open Mobility Foundation
 *[ORCA]: One Regional Card for All
 *[OS-CONNECT]: OpenSidewalks COnsistent Network for accessible Navigation and Equitable Connectivity through Transit
 *[OSM]: OpenStreetMap
+*[OSMF]: OpenStreetMap Foundation
+*[OSMUS]: OpenStreetMap US
 *[OSW]: OpenSidewalks
 *[OSWMH]: OpenSidewalks Mappy Hours
-*[OTP]: OpenThePaths
+*[OTP]: OpenThePaths / OpenTripPlanner
+*[OTP25]: OpenThePaths 2025
+*[OTP26]: OpenThePaths 2026
 *[PED XING]: Pedestrian Crossing
 *[PII]: Personally Identifiable Information
 *[POI]: Point of Interest
@@ -90,6 +104,8 @@
 *[RCTO]: Regional Concept for Transportation Operations
 *[ROW]: Right of Way
 *[RRFB]: Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon
+*[RSO]: Registered Student Organization
+*[RTD]: Denver Regional Transportation District
 *[RTPO]: Regional Transportation Planning Organization
 *[SAFETEA-LU]: Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
 *[SAM]: Segment Anything Model
@@ -103,7 +119,7 @@
 *[SPS]: Seattle Public Schools
 *[SRTS]: Safe Routes to School
 *[STIP]: State Transportation Improvement Program
-*[SUMC]: Shared User Mobility Conference
+*[SUMC]: Shared User Mobility Conference / Shared Use Mobility Center
 *[SVEA]: Snoqualmie Valley Economic Alliance
 *[TAM]: Transportation Asset Management
 *[TAMP]: Transportation Asset Management Plan
diff --git a/zensical.toml b/zensical.toml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 [project]
 
 # Site version
-version = "4.2.0"
+version = "4.3.0"
 
 # The site_name is shown in the page header and the browser window title
 # Read more: https://zensical.org/docs/setup/basics/#site_name
