Abstract
Finding a simple and less expensive method to assess and improve sidewalk and corridor conditions in developing countries is essential in order to motivate more people to walk. This study aimed to design and test a method that uses direct observations of driver behavior and street measurements to assess sidewalk and corridor walkability in developing countries. The proposed method includes different walkability indicators related to sidewalk features, crossing facilities, sidewalk facilities, and driver behavior to provide one score that represents the walkability of a sidewalk and one that represents the walkability of a corridor. The method was tested on streets from 10 neighborhoods in the city of Doha, Qatar. The results indicated that the developed method was easy to use and could efficiently measure various indicators, illustrating that it can be used to evaluate corridors with different characteristics to identify and rank areas that require improvement. The study’s findings will provide maintenance agencies, policymakers, and practitioners in developing countries with a simple, efficient, and cost-effective method to evaluate, plan, rank, and improve the walkability of sidewalks and corridors.
Highlights
Walking is one of the easiest and least expensive forms of physical activity
This study aimed to develop a method that uses direct observations and street measurements to obtain a score that represents the walkability of a sidewalk and a score that represents the walkability of a corridor
The method can be used to evaluate, plan, rank, and improve sidewalks and corridors
Summary
Walking is one of the easiest and least expensive forms of physical activity. Walking is needed to keep people healthy as it can help prevent many diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Designing a properly built environment is a key factor in promoting walkability because it fosters more attractive, convenient, healthy, and efficient neighborhoods [8,9], which in turn provide significant health benefits and independence, especially among children and elderly who rely more on their local neighborhoods [10]. For these reasons, there is a need to measure the characteristics of the built environment and its impact on walkability. The proper improvements can be made based on the obtained data
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