A Walkability Audit is an unbiased examination/evaluation of the walking environment. The general purpose of an audit is to identify concerns for pedestrians related to the safety, access, comfort and convenience of the walking environment. In addition to identifying problem areas an audit can be used to identify potential alternatives or solutions (such as engineering treatments, policy changes, or education and enforcement measures).
Walkability audits can be geared toward examining one or many specific types of facilities (e.g., an audit focusing onfootpaths, intersections, bus stops, school zones, school walking buses, etc.). Audits can also be performed at many different stages of the walking environment’s development, including planning and designing, during construction, and on completed or established facilities/walking environments.