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Home > Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety > Pedestrian Safety in Communities

A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities

Resource Materials

Resource Sheet 3: Identifying Pedestrian Safety Concerns Using a Walkability Audit

A walkability audit is an evaluation of the walking environment, used to identify concerns for pedestrians related to safety, access, comfort, and convenience.

Informal audits can be performed by any individual or community group. More formal audits (i.e., those that follow a standardized set of audit procedures) can also be conducted; these are usually performed by a multidisciplinary team of trained professionals, including engineers, planners, transportation researchers, pedestrian and bicycle specialists, and others.

The audit tools listed below can help you identify and document concerns, and better advocate for change in your neighborhood.

Example community audits:

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) Walkability Checklist

• Evaluate a neighborhood's walkability and identify both immediate answers and long-term solutions to a neighborhood's problems.
• http://www.walkinginfo.org/pdf/walkingchecklist.pdf

Active Community Environments (ACES) Community Assessment

• Assess the health of a community and identify ways to increase opportunities for physical activity in the community.
• http://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/programs_tools/community/aces.html

Active Independent Aging Walkability Checklist

• Determine the "walkability" of an area for older pedestrians.
• http://www.falls-chutes.com/guide/english/resources/handouts/pdf/WalkabilityChecklist.pdf

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Pedestrian Road Safety Audit Guidelines and Prompt Lists

• Evaluate the safety of various aspects of the walking environment.
• http://www.walkinginfo.org/library/details.cfm?id=3955

Keystone Healthy Routes Neighborhood Assessment

• Assess the safety and walkability of neighborhoods—urban, suburban, or rural—and other locations within a community.
• http://panaonline.org/programs/khz/actionkits/hrak/phase3/

A Checklist for Accessible Sidewalks and Street Crossings

• Highlight Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provisions for new construction.
• http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/guide/PROWGuide.htm#apndxchklst

Example school audits:

Florida School Site Assessment for Traffic Safety

• Examine the safety of biking and walking conditions at schools.
• http://www.dcp.ufl.edu/centers/trafficsafetyed/html_safe-ways.html

California Walk to School Day Walkability Checklist

• Identify barriers to walking to school and observe behaviors.
• http://www.cawalktoschool.com

Maryland Safe Routes to School Audit

• Perform a broad assessment of infrastructure, operations, and attitudes.
• http://drusilla.hsrc.unc.edu/cms/downloads/SR2S_Guidebook_1.pdf

Example bus stop audits:

Easter Seals Project ACTION Bus Stop Checklist

• Evaluate pedestrian access features and connections, assess passenger comfort amenities, evaluate safety and security features, and document information features.
• http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ESPA_BusStopToolkit

Arlington Bus Stop Assessment

• Describe location, surroundings, landing area, connections, amenities, seating, safety, and information provided at bus stops.
• http://www.nctr.usf.edu/pdf/473-13.pdf

Program Contact

Tamara Redmon
tamara.redmon@dot.gov
202-366-4077

Dick Schaffer
dick.schaffer@dot.gov
202-366-2176

What’s New

The FHWA Safety Office is continually developing new materials to assist states, localities and citizens in improving pedestrian and bicycle safety. The materials listed on this page were completed recently.

New Spotlight on Pedestrian Safety

New Promoting the Implementation of Proven Pedestrian Countermeasures

Pedestrian Forum - Fall 2011

State Best Practice Policy for Medians

State Best Practice Policy for Shoulders and Walkways

Pedestrian Countermeasure Policy Best Practice Report

The State of Florida is developing a statewide Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. They have set up a project website that includes information about the project, workshop presentations and resources relating to pedestrian safety.

Evaluating Pedestrian Safety Countermeasures

Safety Benefits of Raised Medians and Pedestrian Refuge Areas: Brochure, Booklet

Safety Benefits of Walkways, Sidewalks, and Paved Shoulders: Brochure, Booklet

Pedestrian Safety Strategic Plan