78-80 However, limited evidence exists regarding associations between Walk Score and physical activity, and validity of other metrics provided by Walk Score, such as Bike Score, Transit Score, and Crime Grade. 77 The Walk Score creators have made an effort to align their algorithm with academic research, and several studies have found that Walk Score correlates well with measures of street connectivity, residential density, density of retail destinations, and access to other destinations. The Walk Score takes into account distance to amenities such as schools, parks, businesses, and other common destinations, as well as measures of street connectivity and residential density. The user simply types in an address, and a Walk Score ranging from zero to 100 is provided. 68 Walk Score is an example of an index with evidence of validity, but it is unique in that walkability scores are provided on a publicly available website free of charge. provide a detailed list of GIS-based variables and associated data sources. 76 The latter index involves a summation of z-score variables, whereas the other two indices are computed using principal components analysis. Walkability indices with evidence of construct validity include those by Cervero and Kockelman, 74 Ewing et al., 75 and Frank et al. Transportation variables include street connectivity and access to transit. GIS-based community design variables with evidence of construct validity include residential density, land use mix, and access to parks and recreation facilities. Rural Active Living Perceived Environmental Support Scale (RALPESS)Ĭommunity design and transportation system. Worksite Supportive Environments for Active Living Survey (SEALS)* Worksite and Energy Balance Survey (WEBS) Home Physical Activity Environment Survey Home-Inventory Describing Eating and Activity Development (Home IDEA) for Preschoolers School Physical Activity Policy Assessment (S-PAPA)* School Physical Activity Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care Research on Urban Trail Environments (ROUTES)* The same issues apply to the settings below.)Įnvironmental Assessment of Public Recreation Spaces (EAPRS) However, data from observational measures can be entered into GIS. (Microscale features are not often available in public databases, so few GIS measures have been developed. Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES)

Neighborhood Physical Activity Questionnaire (NPAQ)

Indices developed by Cervero and Kockelman, Ewing et al. Table 1: Examples of commonly used built environment measures with evidence of reliability and/or validity

Reliability and validity class activity