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What is a walk audit?
A walk audit is an activity in which participants measure and score the walkability of a community by walking from one point to another.
What can a walk audit do?
Educate community members about design elements that make communities walkable
Empower community members and local leaders to be agents of change
Identify improvements that need to be advocated for to local officials
How to organize a walk audit
Gather relevant resources.
This WABA student-made resource is available to you, and you can also use this NHTSA checklist, or this AARP resource.
Pick a route.
Make sure the walk isn’t too long. Anything over 1 mile might be uncomfortable for your invited guests.
Use google maps to help you plan your route.
Pick a day for your walk audit.
Invite stakeholders- community leaders, elected officials, friends, families, business owners, etc. Some Prince George’s County specific information is below.
It is important to know which government entity is responsible for which road. You can find that information here, by inputting the road’s address.
Put on the walk audit- make sure to have enough clipboards, pens, and handouts for your attendees. Invite local and government officials to join.
Pick a place to meet following the walk audit, and reflect on the findings of your walk audit. Use page 4 of this resource to help you lead a discussion with your attendees. Consider splitting the whole group into small groups depending on group size.
Advocate for changes- gather the observations you and the attendees made, and organize to advocate for changes. Petition your local government (see #5) for safer pedestrian crosswalks, signage, bike lanes, safer bus stops, or even adding landscaping
Walk Audit Resources
Worksheets for walk audit participants:
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