A Site Analysis for Programming Public Art on the University of Washington's Burke-Gilman Trai

This paper explores how public art can enhance the identity, wayfinding, and safety of the Burke-Gilman Trail along the University of Washington. A literature review of public art and identity, wayfinding, and safety identifies the key principles that help inform the best application of public art to urban trails. A site analysis evaluated the current conditions of the trail based on these principles. The potential problems identified in the site analysis included a lack of active wayfinding signage to orient new visitors to campus, potential conflicts between cars, bicycles and pedestrians, lack of adequate lighting, and lack of campus identity. Case examples were then used to explore ways in which public art has addressed the problems discovered during the site analysis and recommendations for public art programming were formed for three sections of the trail: Brooklyn Ave to 15th Ave, Rainier Vista, and the eastern segment of campus. This study determined that public art can provide valuable solutions to a nonexistent active wayfinding system, improve safety where multiple transportation modes interact, and increase perceptions of safety through lighting features while establishing a unique sense of identity for the Burke-Gilman Trail along the University of Washington campus.