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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
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