Yep, right on both counts, my experience is also that the contact damage surface roots experience from mowers etc create cylces of wounding that with the callous and woundwood production actually increases the size of the tripping hazard...Its worse too, just out of sight in the photo is a fire hydrant that the roots are rapidly enveloping along with the fire main!
Yes they know all about it and have been given numerous options to remove or manage the problem as is often the case with institutions staff changes and different priorities result in inaction being the non-decision being made.
A most unsuitable species choice for the small space available....long term removal and replacement is the best option.