Creation of a rough runnability index using an affordance-based framework

Abstract

Running is one of the most popular forms of physical activity. To date, no literature explores association between the features of the built environment and running. A limited amount of literature uses walkability as a proxy for runnability, thereby misjudging the differing goals of walking and running: leisure, sport or commute. We create a rough runnability index using an affordance-based framework as a conceptual and methodological attempt to quantify features of the built environment that facilitate or hinder running as a form of leisure or sport activity. Three indices are created in the City of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada using pixelated edges. We find that areas in the downtown core and near high traffic routes show low safety and general runnability, whereas areas near parks and in low traffic, residential areas show higher safety for runners. Representing runnability using pixelated edges allows for sub-block level analysis of runnability as experienced by runners.