From spatial to visual outputs: Adopting Real-Time Spatial Delphi and Text-to-Image models for safe school zones

Establishing and maintaining safe school zones is of paramount importance in the context of transportation. Integrating comprehensive safety measures around educational institutions is crucial for protecting the well-being of students, staff, and the broader community. Scientific studies consistently demonstrate that well-designed school zones, which feature reduced speed limits, clearly marked pedestrian crossings, and effective traffic management strategies, significantly mitigate the risk of accidents and injuries. Frequently, operational decisions regarding traffic calming policy implementation are undertaken by competent bodies, local authorities, or stakeholders actively engaged in the decision-making process. Nevertheless, as with all decision-making processes, reaching a common consensus proves challenging due to the difficulty in achieving a unified decision and envisioning the implemented policies in practical terms. In this paper, we introduce a novel participatory approach by implementing a Real-Time Spatial Delphi. The Real-Time Spatial Delphi method involves experts and stakeholders in a virtual process using a Web-GIS platform, aiming to achieve spatial consensus among them. Specifically, in this application, stakeholders have access to visual representations of suggested plans produced by Text-to-Image models. By leveraging existing images of intervention sites, the model generates new visuals depicting the envisioned changes. This aids stakeholders and policymakers in gaining a clearer understanding of proposed alterations and enables a more precise assessment of their potential impact. The outcomes from the platform are articulated in spatial points, geographical maps, statistical indicators, and supporting comments, which together concretely visualize potential policies in the territory. In this study, we apply this approach to a case study in the city of Bari, Italy, where a national research project related to school streets is in place.