Healthy Communities: The Walkability Assessment Tool

Healthy Communities:The Walkability Assessment Tool

August 2010

a planning resource for local governmentscreated as part of IPAÕs Healthy Communities initiative

and as an online component of the

authorsJulia OÕHanlonJacquelyn Scott

project managerJulia OÕHanlon

Institute for Public AdministrationUniversity of Delaware

www.ipa.udel.eduserving the public good, shaping tomorrowÕs leaders

in partnership with the University of DelawareDepartment of Health, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences

HealthyCommunities:TheWalkabilityAssessmentTool

August2010

authors

JuliaO’HanlonJacquelynScott

projectmanagerJuliaO’Hanlon

publishedbytheInstituteforPublicAdministration

UniversityofDelaware

incooperationwiththeUniversityofDelawareDepartmentofHealth,Nutrition&ExerciseSciences

andfundedbytheDelawareDivisionofPublicHealth

HealthyCommunities:TheWalkabilityAssessmentTool i

publishedAugust2010 UniversityofDelawareInstituteforPublicAdministration

Preface

AstheDirectoroftheInstituteforPublicAdministration(IPA)attheUniversityofDelaware,IampleasedtoprovideHealthyCommunities:TheWalkabilityAssessmentTool.Preparationofthisassessmenttoolispartofalargerproject,theUniversityofDelaware’sHealthyCommunitiesinitiative,whichisanongoingcollaborationbetweentheUniversity’sDepartmentofHealth,Nutrition&ExerciseSciencesandIPA.FundingforthisprojectwasprovidedbytheDelawareDivisionofPublicHealth.AssociateProfessorEricJacobsonservedasPrincipalInvestigatorforthisproject,AssistantPolicyScientistJuliaO’Hanlonservedasprojectmanagerforproductionofthisassessmenttoolandco‐authoredthedocumentwithformerGraduateResearchAssistantJacquelineScott.ThisassessmenttoolwillalsobeincludedasacomponentofIPA’sonlineToolkitforaHealthyDelaware,whichmaybeviewedatwww.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit.Asobesityratesacrossthecountrycontinuetorise,scholarsandhealthofficialsalikearerecognizingtheimportanceofurbandesignandpublicpolicytofacilitatemoreactivelifestylesandhealthiereatinghabits.Providingopportunitiesforcitizenstowalkisonesignificantwaytopromotephysicalactivity.TheWalkabilityAssessmentToolisdesignedtoguidemunicipalitiesinevaluatingthewalkabilityofareaswithintheirtownsandcitiesandconsideringstrategiestoimprovelocalpedestriannetworks.Ihopethatlocalgovernmentofficialsandothersinvolvedintheprocesswillusethisassessmenttooltobuildhealthier,morevibrantcommunities.JeromeR.Lewis,Ph.D.Director,InstituteforPublicAdministration

HealthyCommunities:TheWalkabilityAssessmentTool ii


Acknowledgements

ProjectTeam

Authors:JuliaO’HanlonandJacquelynScott

ProjectManager:JuliaO’Hanlon

PrincipalInvestigator:EricJacobson

IPAProjectTeamMembers:MarciaScott,WilliamDeCoursey,ClaireBeck,andMarkDeshon

Theprojectteamwouldliketothankthefollowingpeoplefortheirvaluableinsightandcontributionstothedevelopmentofthisassessmenttool:

DavidEdgell,OfficeofStatePlanningCoordination

DelawareHEAL(HealthyEatingandActiveLiving)Committee

HealthyCommunitiesToolsWorkshop/FeedbackGroup:

SarahCoakley,DelawareDepartmentofTransportation

DavidEdgell,OfficeofStatePlanningCoordination

MichaelFortner,CityofNewark

BobbieGeier,DelawareDepartmentofTransportation

PeggyGeisler,SussexChildHealthPromotionCoalitiontofTransportation

DanaGriffin,NemoursHealthandPreventionServices

DeniseHusband,URSCorporation

HerbInden,OfficeofStatePlanningCoordination

JonathanKirch,AmericanHeartAssociation

DanLaCombe,DelawareDepartmentofTransportation

KendallSommers,DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControl,DivisionofParksandRecreation

EileenSparling,CenterforDisabilitiesStudies,UniversityofDelaware

HealthyCommunities:TheWalkabilityAssessmentTool iii


TableofContents

Background ................................................................................................................................1

StepOne:Pre‐AssessmentQuestionnaire

Introduction ...............................................................................................................................3

TheQuestionnaire......................................................................................................................4

StepTwo:Delaware’sWalkabilityChecklist

Introduction ...............................................................................................................................6

TheChecklist ..............................................................................................................................7

StepThree:Post‐AssessmentQuestionnaire

Introduction .............................................................................................................................12

TheQuestionnaire....................................................................................................................12

Resources

GlossaryofHealthy‐CommunityTerms....................................................................................15

ContactInformation.................................................................................................................20

ResourcesandWorksCited......................................................................................................20

HealthyCommunities:TheWalkabilityAssessmentTool 1


BackgroundWalkabilityMatters

Asindicatedinanumberofrecentresearchstudiesandarticles,anincreaseinmoderatephysicalactivityamongAmericanscouldsubstantiallyimprovethenation’spublichealth.GivenDelaware’scurrentobesitytrends,itisimportanttokeepthestate’sresidentsactiveandengaged.Walkingisoneoftheeasiestandcheapestwaystostayphysicallyfit.

Inadditiontokeepingresidentsphysicallyactiveandhealthy,communityspacesthatpromotewalkingcandrawpeopletogethersafelyandprovidemoreopportunitiesforpeopleofallagesandabilitiestostaysociallyconnectedandengaged.Localareaswithgoodpedestriannetworkscanalsohavesubstantialeconomicandenvironmentalbenefitstoalocalarea.

EconomicBenefits

Townsandcitiesthatdeveloprecreationalprogrammingthatencouragestheuseofpedestriannetworks,infrastructure,trails,orwalkablefacilitiescanhelprevitalizeadowntown,increaseprivateinvestment,increasepropertyvalues,promotetourism,andsupportthedevelopmentofagoodbusinessclimate.Agrowingbodyofresearchconnectshigherpropertyvaluesandeconomicallysoundcommunitiestobetterwalkabilityandcloserproximityamongcertainneighborhooddestinations,includinghouses,parks,schools,businesses,services,andsocialvenues.Mainstreetscanbenefiteconomicallyfromgoodsidewalksandtheabilitytoeasilyandsafelyperuseshops,restaurants,andlocalservices.

EnvironmentalBenefits

Bydecreasingcartravel,walkablecommunitiescanhavesubstantialenvironmentalbenefits.Infact,Delawareisoneoffewstatestohaveanexecutive‐orderedCompleteStreetspolicythatencourageswalkingandbikingasameanstodecreaseharmfulautoemissions.

AbouttheAssessmentProcess

TheWalkabilityAssessmentToolinvolvesathree‐stepprocessdesignedtoaidlocalgovernmentsindeterminingtheirtown’swalkability.ItisrecommendedthattheassessmentprocessshouldbecompletedbyanauthorizedrepresentativeofaDelawaremunicipality.Walkabilityrepresentativeswillvary,dependingonthesizeandcompositionofthemunicipality.Forexample,larger,full‐servicemunicipalitiesmightappointelectedofficials,paidprofessionalstaff(e.g.,CityPlanner/PlanningStaff),MainStreetProgramrepresentatives,ormembersofanappointedcommittee(e.g.,planningcommission,parksandrecreationcommission,citizen‐advisorygroup,etc.)tocompletetheprocess.Smallertowns,ontheother

http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html#p


http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html#w

http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html#s

http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html#c



hand,mightconsiderinvitingamemberofanadhoccommitteeorsomeonewhoisfamiliarwithhealthy‐communityissuestohelpwiththeassessmentprocess,particularlyifotherstafforformalcommitteesarenotanoption.

TheThree‐StepAssessmentProcess

Step1:ThePre‐AssessmentQuestionnaireisintendedtohelpanswerthe“who,what,why,andhow”questionsrelatedtoevaluatingthewalkabilityofanareaorspecificneighborhoodwithinajurisdiction.Itrequiresthoughtfulconsiderationofwhowillberesponsibleforconductingtheassessmentandwhatwillbedonewiththeassessmentresults.

Step2:Delaware’sWalkabilityChecklististobecompletedafterthepre‐assessmentquestionnaire.Itisan“in‐the‐field”assessmentchecklistdesignedtoratespecificwalkabilityelementsofadefinedareawithinthemunicipality.Theseelementsincludetheconditionandmaintenanceofwalkingfacilities(e.g.,sidewalks,curbs),pedestrianamenities,safety,anddestinationsavailablewithinthearea.

Step3:ThePost‐Assessmentisdesignedtohelpanalyzetheresultsofthefirsttwostepsandidentifymajorissuesandproblemareas.Itprovidesanopportunitytosummarizeresults,considerpotentialchanges,andidentifynextstepsinimprovingtheoverallwalkabilityofthetownorcity.

http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html#h




StepOne:Pre‐AssessmentQuestionnaire

Introduction

AwalkabilityassessmentisanimportanttoolforDelawarelocalgovernmentsandcommunityleadersforhelpingevaluatetheirrespectivecommunity’sstrengthsandweaknessesrelatedtopedestriannetworks,consideropportunitiesforresidentstobecomemorephysicallyactiveandhealthy,andidentifywaystoincreaseeconomicandenvironmentalviabilitythroughappropriatecommunityplanninginitiatives.However,beforeassessinganarea’swalkability,itisimportantformunicipalrepresentativestounderstandtheprimaryreason(s)forconductingtheevaluation.

Thefirststepofthewalkability‐assessmentprocessistoclarifythetownorcity’sgoalsandobjectives.ThePre‐AssessmentQuestionnaire(Step1)isdesignedtohelpfamiliarizelocalofficialswithhealthy‐communityconceptsandissuesandencouragethemtothinkstrategicallyabouthowthetownorcitycanbenefitfromtheassessmentprocess.ItisrecommendedthatthePre‐AssessmentQuestionnairebecompletedandreviewedbyalocalgovernmentofficialbeforemovingontoDelaware’sWalkabilityChecklist(Step2).ThepurposeofthisPre‐AssessmentQuestionnaireistodeterminetheanswerstothefollowing:

• Whowillleadyourjurisdiction’swalkability‐assessmentefforts(i.e.,whowillfacilitate/conducttheprocess,reviewandshareoutcomes;whatdepartment(s)willberepresented)?

• Whatarethetown/city’smajorissuesorconcernsregardingthehealthofitscommunity(e.g.,sidewalkissues,connectivityamongdestinationswithinthetown/city,accessibilityofwalkingpathsortrails)?

• Whyshouldthetown/cityshouldconductawalkabilityassessment?• Howdoesthetown/cityplantoincludestakeholdergroupsandusetheresultsofthe

assessment(i.e.,whatwillhappenaftertheassessmentprocess,willthishelpinitiatecitizenfeedbackorspecificprojects)?








TheQuestionnaire

ThisquestionnaireisthefirststepofTheWalkabilityAssessmentToolandshouldbecompletedbyanauthorizedindividualorrepresentativegroupofaDelawaremunicipality.Theindividualsorgroupswillvarydependingonthesizeandcompositionofthemunicipalitiestheyrepresent.Ifneeded,pleaseuseadditionalsheetstocompletethefollowingsevenquestions.Completedby(pleaseprintclearly): Date

Name Title

Phone Email

Name Title

Phone Email

Name Title

Phone Email

Name Title

Phone Email

Name Title

Phone Email

1) Whyshouldthemunicipalityinitiateawalkable‐communityassessment(e.g.,helpthetownorcityconsideroptionsforresidentstobecomemorephysicallyactive,determinewhethermorefoottrafficwouldbenefitlocalbusinesses,understandwhetherthetownorcityisaccessibleforolderresidentsorpeoplewithdisabilities)?

2) Whowillleadtheassessmentprocess(Steps2and3)andberesponsiblefordisseminating

theresults(authorizedindividualorrepresentativegroupofthemunicipality)?

http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html#a



3) WillcommunitystakeholdersorcitizensbeaskedtoparticipateinSteps2and3(e.g.,a

personwhousesawheelchairorstroller)?Ifso,how?

4) Towhatextentdoesthetownorcitycurrentlyeducateorprovideinformationtoitscitizens

onhealthy‐communityresources(newsletters,websites,flyers,mailers,inserts)?

5) Isthereaspecificareawithinthemunicipalitythatshouldbeapriority?

6) WhatistheWalkScoreofthearea(s)thatarebeingconsideredforassessment(visitwww.walkscore.comtolearnaboutandmeasurethearea’sWalkScore)?Itwillbehelpfultocomparethearea’sWalkScoretoresponsesinSteps2and3.

7) Howmightthetownorcityusetheassessmentresultstodevelopahealthy‐community

projectorinitiativewithinaparticulararea?



http://www.walkscore.com



StepTwo:Delaware’sWalkabilityChecklist

Introduction

ObesityisaprevalentconditionandconcernamongAmericans—onethatcanleadtoothermajorhealthissues,suchascardiovasculardisease,highbloodpressure,highcholesterol,limitedmobility,increasedhealthcareexpenditures,anddecreasedoverallqualityoflife.Walkablecommunitiesareonemeansforcombatingobesity,sincetheypromoteactivelivingandlifestyles.Inadditiontoimprovedhealth,walkablecommunitiescontributetoanarea’seconomicwell‐being,fostersocialinteraction,andpromotecleanerandsaferenvironmentsforresidentsofallagesandabilities.

Thesecondstepofthewalkability‐assessmentprocessistoidentifyareaswithinthetownorcitythatcanpromotehealthierlivingthroughwalkability.Delaware’sWalkabilityChecklist(Step2)isdesignedtohelplocalofficialsdetermineanarea’scurrentwalkabilityandidentifyanychangesthatmightpromotea“healthiercommunity”withintheirjurisdiction.ItisrecommendedthatDelaware’sWalkabilityChecklist(Step2)becompletedbyanauthorizedindividualorrepresentativegroupofaDelawaremunicipalitybeforemovingontothePost‐Assessment(Step3).

Delaware’sWalkabilityChecklist(Step2)isdesignedtobean“inthefield”assessmentusingthechecklistonpages7‐9).Thismeansthattheperson(s)facilitatingorcoordinatingthefieldassessmentwillscheduleawalkofadesignatedareawithinthetownorcityandgathercertainmaterialsthatwillhelpinratingthearea.Iftwoormorepeoplearescheduledtowalk,itisrecommendedthatspecificassignmentsbeclarifiedbeforethedayofthewalk.Forexample,onepersonmightserveasphotographer,whileanothertakesnotesorperformsmeasurements.Itmightalsohelptoinvitepeoplefromdiversebackgroundstohelptestoutthechecklistitems(e.g.,someonewhousesawheelchair,apersonwhousesastroller,anelderlyresident).




TheChecklistThischecklististhesecondstepofTheWalkabilityAssessmentToolandshouldbecompletedbyanauthorizedindividualorrepresentativegroupofaDelawaremunicipality.Theindividualsorgroupswillvarydependingonthesizeandcompositionofthemunicipalitiestheyrepresent.Additionalstakeholderswhomightbehelpfulincompletingthechecklistincludepeoplewhouseawheelchairorstroller,oranelderlyresident.Otherswhoparticipateinthewalkcouldtakenotes,orphotographsandmeasurements.Beforethedayofthescheduledwalk,itisimportanttoconfirmwhowillbeparticipating,whattimethewalkwillstartandfinish,wherethewalkwillbegin,andwhoisresponsibleforgatheringmaterials.WhoisparticipatinginthewalkandhasthetaskofcompletingTheChecklist(Step2)?Name Title

Phone Email

Name Title

Phone Email

Name Title

Phone Email

Name Title

Phone Email

Name Title

Phone Email

GettingStarted Selectalocationthatyouwishtoassess,basedonyourresponsestothePre‐AssessmentQuestionnaire(Step1).Oncethelocationhasbeendetermined,itisimportanttoreviewtheWalkabilityChecklistquestions(beginningonpage12),anddeterminethedateandtimeofdaywhenthewalkwilltakeplace.Besurethatparticipantsareinformedofthecorrectlocation,date,andtimeofthewalk.Participantsshouldalsoreviewthechecklistpriortothewalk(usingtheGlossaryanddeterminewhetherapreliminarywalkisnecessary)*.

*Apreliminarywalkmayhelpdeterminethebesttimeofdaytoconductthewalkandchecklist,thebestroutetotake,andwhetheradditionalmaterialsorpersonswouldbehelpfulincompleting.

http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html



• Selectalocationtoassess.Defineaspecificareaorneighborhoodwithinthetownorcitytoasses.Examplesinclude:

Definedareasaroundaspecificdestination(e.g.,school)orgroupofdestinations (e.g.,commercialcenter,downtownarea) Specify: Neighborhoodsdefinedbyadministrative(e.g.,censusblocks)orotherboundaries Specify: Routesbetweendestinationsorgroupsofdestinations(e.g.,elementaryschooland acentrallocationinaneighborhood) Specify:

• Determinethedayoftheweekandthetimeobservationswilltakeplace.

Day(s)oftheweek:

Timeobservationsbegan: a.m.p.m.

• Gathermaterialsthatwillbehelpfulinansweringchecklistquestions.

Streetmapsand/oramapoftheareatobeassessed** Glossary Clipboards Notepaper Pens,pencils,highlighters Camera Tapemeasureorruler Comfortablewalkingshoesandclothing Informationaboutregulationsonsidewalkmaintenanceissues

ReadCarefullyBeforeYouBeginYourWalk!

Asyouwalkthedesignatedarea,completethechecklistitemsbelowbygivinganoverallratingtoeachitem.Pleaseusethe1‐6(hightolow)WalkabilityRatingScalebelowtoratethevariouselementsofthechecklist.Inratingeachchecklistitem,considertheoverallconditionoftheareaandnoteproblemswithintheareabeingassessed.Forseveralquestions,youwillbeaskedtocheckoffitemsthatapply.Asketchormapoftheareamightalsobehelpfulinnotingareasforimprovementorproblems(GoogleMapsisrecommended:maps.google.com).

http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html#n



http://maps.google.com



Ifyouhavetwoormorepeopleinvolvedinthewalk,considerassigningonepersontoserveasthephotographer,asphotoscanhelpindocumentingissuesorproblemareas.PleaserefertotheGlossaryforclarificationofanyofthehighlightedtermsbelow.Happywalking!

WalkabilityRatingScale

1=Excellent 2=VeryGood3=Good4=SomeProblems5=ManyProblems6=Awful

WalkingFacilitiesandTheirMaintenance 1. Aretheresidewalks,multi‐usepaths,or pavedtrailspresent?

Rating(circleone):123456

Locationsofproblems:

2. Doyoufeelsafeusingthesidewalk,multi‐ usepath,orpavedtrail?



3. Doesthesidewalk,multi‐usepath,or pavedtrailaccommodatepeoplewhouse strollers,wheelchairs,orotherassistive mobilitydevices?



4. Isthesidewalkcontinuous,(i.e.,without gaps)? Rating(circleone):123456


5. Arethesidewalksaminimumoffivefeet widetoaccommodateatleasttwo pedestrianstowalktogetherand/ora wheelchair?



6. Isthesidewalklocatedonbothsidesof thestreet?





http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html#m







7. Aretherecurbcutspresentthatallow pedestriansandpeoplewithstrollers, wheelchairs,orseniorcitizensto navigatethesidewalk,pavedtrail,or multi‐usepathsafelyandconveniently?



8. Isthesidewalkfreefrommajor misalignment,cracks,orotherpavement conditionissues?



9. Isthesidewalkfreefromobstructions, suchaspoles,signs,shrubbery, dumpsters,etc?



PedestrianAmenities 1. Aretherecrosswalksand/orpedestrian signalslocatedatintersections? Rating(circleone):123456


2.Isiteasytocrossstreets?

YesNo,someproblems(checkallthatapply):

a. Roadwastoowideb. Trafficsignalsdidnotprovide

adequatetimetocrossc. Lackofpedestriansignalizationd. Trafficsignalsmadeuswaittoolong

tocrosse. Streetneededstripedcrosswalksf. Blockedlineofsight(e.g.,parked

cars,treesorplantsblockedviewoftraffic)

g. Curbrampswereneededorramps

neededrepairh. Driversseemtobespeedingi. Otherissuesandobservations:





http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html#t


http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html#t





Locationsofproblems(uselettersabovetoindicatewhichproblems):

4.Whatdestinationsarepresent?

Checkallthatapply:

Smallgrocery/conveniencestore

Farmersmarket

Foodestablishment(e.g.,restaurant, bakery,café,coffeeshop,bar)

Supermarket

Pharmacy

Entertainment(e.g.,movietheater, arcade)

Church/temple/mosque

Library

Postoffice

Bank

Laundry/drycleaner

Indoorfitnessfacility

Seniorcenter

Playground/park/trailhead

School(elementary,middle,high)

College/technicalschool/university

Retailstores

Employmentcenters

Smoke‐freepublicspaces

Other,specify:

5.Howpleasantisyourwalk?Checkallthatapply:

a. Neededmoregrass,flowers,ortreesb. Lackedpersonalsecurityc. Notwelllitd. Dirty,lotsoflitterortrashe. Lackofmaintenancef. Nobenchorplacetorestg. Toomuchhigh‐speedtraffich. Other,specify:

Locationsofproblems(uselettersabovetoindicatewhichproblems):

6. Istheregrassorotherbufferbetweentheroadwayandsidewalk?Checkallthatapply:

Trees

Landscaping

BikeLanes

ParkedCars

7. Isthesidewalkpartofalargerpedestriannetwork?



http://www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit/glossary.html#b







StepThree:Post‐AssessmentQuestionnaire

Introduction

Thefinalstepoftheassessmentprocessistoanalyzetheresultsofthefirsttwostepsandidentifyissuesorproblemareasthatcouldbeaddressedthroughahealthy‐communityprojectorinitiative.Itisimportanttocarefullyorganizeandreviewthespecificnotes,responses,andratingsfromeachoftheprevioussectionsbeforebeginningthisfinalstep.Forexample,incompletingDelaware’sWalkabilityChecklist(Step2),whichareasareratedhighestandwhy?Whichareratedlowestandwhy?Also,dotheratingsmakesensegiventhearea’sWalkScoremeasuredinthePres‐AssessmentAssessmentQuestionnaire(Step1)?Werethereareasketchesorphotostakenofproblematicareas?

ThePost‐Assessment(Step3)isdesignedtohelplocalofficialsprioritizerealisticchangesthatcouldfurtherpromotewalkabilitywithinthedesignatedjurisdiction.ItisrecommendedthatthePost‐Assessment(Step3)becompletedbyanauthorizedindividualorrepresentativegroupofaDelawaremunicipality.Tofurtheranalyzeresultsandexpandonidentifiedpriorities,itisrecommendedthatresponsesfromSteps1‐3besharedwithotherrepresentativesfromyourmunicipality(e.g.,council,administration,planningdepartmentorstaff,parksandrecreationdepartmentorstaff).

TheQuestionnaireThisisthefinalstepofTheWalkabilityAssessmentToolandshouldbecompletedbyanauthorizedindividualorrepresentativegroupofaDelawaremunicipality.AtleastonepersonwhoparticipatedinthewalkingassessmentandcompletionofDelaware’sWalkabilityChecklist(Step2)shouldassistincompletingthePost‐Assessment(Step3).Pleaseanswerinthespaceprovidedandadditionalsheetsifneeded.

Completedby(pleaseprintclearly): Date

Name Title

Phone Email

gotonextpage>






SummarizeResponsesfromSteps1and2InreviewingtheresponsestothePre‐AssessmentQuestionnaire(Step1),isthereanythingsurprisingabouttheratingsandresponsestotheitemsinTheChecklist(Step2)?Forexample,werethereunexpectedproblemareasorconcernsidentifiedduringthewalkandcompletionofthechecklistthatwerenotlistedonthePre‐AssessmentQuestionnaire(Step1)?Dothefindingsmakesensegiventhearea’sWalkScore?

WhatareasofTheChecklist(Step2)havethehighestratings?Why?

WhatareasofTheChecklist(Step2)havethelowestratings?Why?

IdentifyPriorityIssuesNowthattheresponsesfromSteps1and2havebeenreviewedandsummarized,itistimetoidentifysomepriorityissues.Usingthespacebelow,listthefivemostimportantwalkabilityissuesoftheareaassessed.PleaseconsiderwhatareasneedmostimprovementandwhatevidenceanddocumentationthathasbeengatheredinSteps1and2tosupporttheneedforplanninganddevelopmentofahealthy‐communityprojectorinitiative.Finally,inlistingthefiveissuesbelow,considerhowtheywillbeaddressed,whomightbeinvolved,andwhatcommunitypartnersareimportanttoincludeintheprocess(e.g,municipaldepartments,propertyownersandotherresidents,countyorstategovernmentdepartments,anyoneidentifiedinthePre‐AssessmentQuestionnaire).

1.






2.

3.

4.

5.

Pleaseuseadditionalsheetsifnecessary.



Resources

GlossaryofHealthy‐CommunityTermsAccessible:Accessiblefacilitiesarethosethatcanbereached,used,andtraversedbypeopleofallagesandabilitieswithoutdifficulty.ActiveTransportation:AlsoknownasNon‐MotorizedTransportationandHuman‐PoweredTransportation,includeswalking,bicycling,small‐wheeledtransport(skates,skateboards,pushscootersandhandcarts)andwheelchairtravel(VictoriaTransportationPolicyInstitute).AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA):Thelegislationdefiningtheresponsibilitiesofandrequirementsfortransportationproviderstomaketransportationaccessibletoindividualswithdisabilities(FHWA).AssistiveMobilityDevices:Anydevicedesignedoradaptedtohelppeoplewithphysicallimitationstoperformactions,tasks,andactivities(e.g.wheelchairs,crutches,orcanes).BicycleFacilities:Facilitiesdesignedtoaccommodatebicycletravelforrecreationalorcommutingpurposes.Bikewaysarenotnecessarilyseparatedfacilities(suchasoff‐roadpaths),butmaybedesignedtobesharedandoperatedalongwithothertravelmodes(suchaspaintedon‐roadbikelanesorsufficientlywideshoulderswithbicyclesignage).Buffer:Theareabetweentheoutsideedgeoftheroadwayandtheroadsideedgeofthesidewalkorpedestrianfacilitythatprovidesaspacebetweenpedestriantrafficandmotorizedtraffic;thisbuffercancontainpavedareas,grassyareas,ortrees.BuiltEnvironment:Thehuman‐madesurroundingsthatprovidethesettingforhumanactivity,production,andconsumption.Thebuiltenvironmentconsistsofhouses,officebuildings,roads,andentirecities.CompleteStreets:CompleteStreetsarestreetsdesignedandoperatedtoenablesafeaccessforallusers.Pedestrians,bicyclists,motoristsandtransitridersofallagesandabilitiesmustbeabletosafelymovealongandacrossa“complete”street(NationalCompleteStreetsCoalition).ComprehensivePlan:Adocumentcontainingtextandmapsthatlaysoutamunicipality’sgeneraldevelopmentstrategy,positiononpopulationgrowth,infrastructureneeds,andcommunityissues,amongothertopics.InDelawarealltownsarerequiredtodevelopland‐useplans,andtownswithapopulationofover2,000arerequiredtodevelopandadoptaComprehensivePlan.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/glossary/index.cfm

http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm61.htm

http://www.completestreets.org/complete-streets-fundamentals/complete-streets-faq/



Connectivity:Ameasureofhowwelltransportationfacilities(suchasroadsandsidewalks)areconnectedtoeachotherandtoimportantdestinations.Continuity:Ameasureoftheproportionofatransportationfacilitythatisuninterrupted.Forexample,asidewalkthatrunsalongaroadwayfor500feet,disappearsfor200feet,andthenstartsagainwouldbeadiscontinuoussidewalkwithlowcontinuity.Crosswalk:Alsoknownasapedestriancrossing,acrosswalkisapointonaroadwaythatemployssomemeansofassistingpedestriansorothernon‐motorizedtransportationmodestosafelycrosstheroad.Crosswalksusuallyconsistofsomecombinationofon‐roadpaint,acrossingsignalforpedestrians,andsignagewarningmotoristsofthepresenceofpedestrians.Crosswalksaremostcommonlylocatedatsignalizedintersectionsbutcanbelocatedanywherealongaroadway.CurbCut:AlsoknownasaCurbRamp,acurbcutisashortrampinstalledwhereasidewalkmeetsaroadtocreateasmoothtransitionbetweenthetwosurfacesratherthanasteepdropofseveralinches.Curbcutsareespeciallyessentiallyforsidewalkuserssuchasbicyclists,pedestrianswithlimitedmobility,andthoseusingwheelchairsorstrollers.Density/CompactDevelopment:Densityreferstotheamountofdwellingsorotherbuildingsperacreinaparticularareaofdevelopment.Higherdensity,orcompact,developments,allowforagreateramountofactivitytooccuronasmalleramountofland,thusconservingopenspacesandnaturalresources.Compactdevelopmentalsocreatesasituationinwhichoriginsanddestinations,suchashomesandplacesofwork,arelocatedclosertoeachother,allowingformoreactiveformsoftransportation.Downtown:AlsoreferredtoastheCentralBusinessDistrict,istheportionofatownthatservesasthecommercialandcultural“center”ofactivity;itcanalsorefertothegeographicaloriginsofatown.Greenway:Acorridorofundevelopedland,usuallyincludingsomekindoftrailorpathwaythatisprovidedforrecreationalpurposesand/orenvironmentalprotection.HealthyCommunity:Aneighborhood,town,orotherareathatpromotesthephysical,mental,andemotionalhealthofitscitizensthroughthedesignsandpracticesoftheplacesandorganizationsthattouchpeople’sliveseveryday.Theseincludeschools,worksites,healthcaresites,parks,thebuiltenvironment,andothercommunitysettings.Healthycommunitiesprovidetheircitizenswithopportunitiesforhealthylifestylesthroughvariouspolicies,urbandesigns,foodoptions,exercisefacilities,etc.LandUse:Referstothedivisionandusageofnaturallandforvarioushumanpurposes.Inplanningterms,landuseusuallyreferstothedesignationoflandspacefordiscretepurposes,throughordinancesorzoningcodes,suchascommercial,residential,orindustrial



development.Landusecanalsoconnotethephysicalquantityoflandthatisconsumedforhumanpurposes,ratherthanleftaswilderness.Livable:Referstothesuitabilityofaplace(town,city,orneighborhood)tosupportahighqualityoflifethatcontributestothehealthandhappinessofitsresidents.Mixed‐UseDevelopment:Mixed‐usedevelopmentscounterthepost–WorldWarIIpracticeofphysicallyseparatedlandusesbyprovidingareaswhereresidences,commercialbuildings,andbusinessesarelocatedwithincloseproximitytoeachother.Examplesoftruemixed‐useareasarefoundinthedowntownareasoflargecitiessuchasNewYorkandPhiladelphia,whererestaurants,offices,andresidencesareoftenlocatedinthesamebuilding.Mobility:Theabilitytomoveorbemovedfromplacetoplace(FHWA).Multimodal:Theavailabilityoftransportationoptionsusingvariousmodes(suchasautomobile,bicycle,andpedestrian)withinasystemorcorridor(FHWA).Multi‐usePath:Anoff‐roadpath,pavedorunpaved,intendedforusebypedestrians,bicyclists,joggers,skaters,andothersforrecreationalortransportationpurposes.Neighborhood:Ageographicalareathatisasubsetofalargertownorcity,usuallydefinedbysharedsocialorarchitecturalfeaturesthatsetitapartfromadjacentareas.NewUrbanism:Amovementthatrecognizeswalkable,human‐scaledneighborhoodsasthebuildingblocksofsustainablecommunitiesandregions.NewUrbanismstressestheimportanceofstreetpatterns,transportationoptions,andbuildingsitingincreatingsustainablecommunities(CongressforNewUrbanism).ParksandOpenSpaces:Parcelsoflandsetasideforrecreationaluseand/orenvironmentalresourceprotection.Theseareascanbepubliclyorprivatelyowned,anddevelopmentonthesiteisusuallyunauthorized.PavedTrail:Arelativelysmoothpathcoveredwithpavingmaterialsuchasasphalt,concrete,ormacadam.Pavedtrailscanincludeoff‐roadpaths,suchasgreenwaytrails,aswellassidewalksalongsidearoadway.Pedestrian‐Scale(orHuman‐Scale)Design:Encompassesanumberofdesignstrategiesthatenhanceapedestrian’sexperienceofthebuiltenvironment.Pedestrian‐scaleddesignincludesdesigningroadways,buildings,signage,andparkinglotsfortheconvenienceandcomfortofpedestriansaswellasmotorists.Examplesincludelightingonsidewalks,parkinglotslocatedbehindortothesideofbuildings,attractivestorefronts,andway‐findingsignsintendedtoguidepeoplewhoaretravelingonfootratherthaninautomobiles.PedestrianFacilities:Includesroadsidesidewalks,trails,andpavedorunpavedoff‐roadtrails.



http://www.cnu.org/who_we_are



PedestrianNetwork:Acontinuoussidewalkorpedestrian‐facilitysystemthatallowspedestrianstomakeuninterruptedtripsandaccommodatesstrollerorwheelchairuserstoutilizethesidewalks(KansasCityWalkabilityPlan).PedestrianSignals:Electronicsignalsplacedatpedestrian‐crossinglocationsintendedtonotifypedestrianswhenitissafetocrossthestreet.Pedestriansignalscanalsobeprogrammedtoprovideanexclusivepedestrianphaseatsignalizedintersections,wherebyallautomobiletrafficisgivenaredlightandonlypedestriancrossingmovementisallowed.Placemaking:Theprocessofcreatinguniquespaces—suchasplazas,squares,streets,andwaterfronts—thatareattractivetopeoplebecausetheyarepleasurableorinteresting.RightofWay:Ageneraltermdenotingland,property,orinteresttherein,usuallyinastrip,acquiredforordevotedtotransportationpurposes(FHWA).SafeRoutestoSchool:Afederallyfundedandstate‐administeredprogramthatencourageslocalschoolsandjurisdictionstoundertakeprojectsthatwillencouragechildrentowalkorbicycletoschoolandtomakesuchtripssafer.Sidewalk:Apavedwalkwayalongthesideofastreet;alsotheportionofaright‐of‐wayintendedforpedestrianuse.SmartGrowth:Land‐usedevelopmentpracticesthatcreatemoreresource‐efficientandlivablecommunities,withmoreaccessibleland‐usepatterns;analternativetosprawl(VictoriaTransportationPolicyInstitute).Sprawl:Dispersed,low‐density,single‐use,andautomobile‐dependentland‐usepatterns(VictoriaTransportationPolicyInstitute).Streetscaping:Changestothestreetandsurroundingareasintendedtoimprovetheexperienceofpedestriansandothersusingthearea;streetscapingimprovementscanincludechangestotheroadcross‐section,trafficmanagement,sidewalkconditions,landscaping,streetfurniture,andbuildingfronts.Commonstreetscapingimprovementsincludepedestrian‐scaledlighting,benches,andstreettrees(VictoriaTransportationPolicyInstitute).TraditionalNeighborhoodDevelopment(TND):Aplanningconceptbasedontraditionalneighborhoodandcitydesignpractices.TNDsareneighborhoodswhereresidential,commercial,andcivicbuildingsarewithincloseproximitytooneanother(WisconsinModelTNDOrdinance).TrafficCalming:Awaytodesignstreetsusingengineeringprinciplestoencouragepeopletodrivemoreslowly.Trafficcalminginvolvesphysicalandvisualcuesthatinducedriverstotravelatappropriatespeeds(KansasCityWalkabilityPlan).








TrafficSignals:Electronicsignalingdeviceslocatedatroadintersectionstocontrolcompetingflowsoftraffic.UniversalDesign:Transportationsystemsdesignedtoaccommodateawiderangeofusers,includingpeoplewithdisabilitiesandotherspecialneeds(VictoriaTransportationPolicyInstitute).WalkScore:WalkScoreisanumberbetween0and100thatmeasuresthewalkabilityofanyaddress(with0beingleastwalkableand100beingmostwalkable).Itisbasedonanalgorithmthatrankscommunitiesnationwidebasedonanarea’snumberofcommondestinations(business,restaurants,parks,schools)withinwalkingdistanceofanygivenstartingpoint(walkscore.com).Walkability:Walkabilityisoftenmeasuredaccordingtotheenvironmental,health,financial,andsafetybenefitsofferedtopedestrianswithinacommunity.Morebroadly,walkabilityisameasureofhowconduciveanenvironmentistowalking(walkscore.com).







ContactInformationForquestionsorcommentsabouttheWalkabilityAssessmentTool:AResourceGuideforLocalGovernmentOfficials,pleasecontact:JuliaO’HanlonAssistantPolicyScientistInstituteforPublicAdministrationUniversityofDelaware180GrahamHallNewark,DE19716302‐831‐[email protected]

ReferencesandWorksCited

AARP,CreatetheGoodSidewalkandStreetsSurvey,retrieved2010

AARPPublicPolicyInstitute,2005

AmericanforDisabilitiesActStandardsforAccessibleDesign,retrieved2010

CommunityAssessmentGuideBook,December2008

DelawareDepartmentofTransportation

KansasCityWalkabilityPlan,2003

NorthCarolinaHealthAssessmentProcess,2002

PartnershipforaWalkableAmerica:WalkabilityChecklist,retrieved2009

PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation,2009

SaintLouisUniversityofPublicHealth,2006

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Institute for Public AdministrationUniversity of Delaware

180 Graham HallNewark, DE 19716-7380

phone: 302-831-8971 e-mail: [email protected] fax: 302-831-3488

www.ipa.udel.edu

The University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA) addresses the policy, planning,and management needs of its partners through the integration of applied research, professionaldevelopment, and the education of tomorrow’s leaders.

Healthy Communities: The Walkability Assessment Tool

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