How is Walkability Measured?

Find Out More About 20-Minute Neighborhoods

  1. What is a 20-Minute Neighborhood? 
  2. Why are 20-Minute Neighborhoods important? 
  3. What are the benefits of 20-Minute Neighborhoods? 
  4. Where can I experience a 20-Minute Neighborhood? 
  5. What is the 20-Minute Neighborhood assessment? 
  1. How is walkability measured? 
  2. What other factors are important? 
  3. What have we learned? 
  4. What can we influence? 


Overview

The following factors were selected for the assessment based on their influence on walkability. Research by other communities and organizations, as well as internet resources like Walk Score helped inform this list. Each of these attributes were mapped and then layered together like a sandwich. The resulting map is intended to portray an index of walkability, where higher scores (illustrated in red and orange) are those places where many of the factors occur and are considered more walkable, and lower scores (shown in blue and green) have fewer of the factors and are considered generally less walkable.


HousingDensity

These factors help us to understand how many people live and work in different parts of town:

  • Residential Population
  • Number of Employees


WalkingDestinations

These factors are measured in 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, and 1 mile increments:

  • Bus Stops
  • Convenience Stores
  • Elementary Schools
  • Full Service Grocery Stores
  • Other Goods and Services
  • Parks


Distance

These factors determine what modes of travel are available and the mode of travel determines the amount of time needed to cover a given distance:Walking with strollers

  • Intersection density
  • Presence of bike facilities (paths, lanes, and routes)
  • Presence of sidewalks