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Introduction THE PROBLEM Too manycommunities inthe United Statesare designed exclusively or almost exclusively for automobile travel, with very little consideration given to the needs of pedestrians. Among the factors that discourage or outright prevent people from walking: multilane roadways, high-speed corridors that are unsafe to cross, a lack of street maintenance, a scarcity of sidewalks. According to Smart Growth America's 2021 Dangerous by Design report, from 2010 to 2019, drivers in the U.S. struck and killed 53,435 pedestrians — a n average of more than 14 people each day. In 2017, an estimated 137,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms for nonfatal crash - related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To ensure that walking is a safe, accessible and convenient alternative for people who cannot or choose not to drive — and to reverse the trends in pedestrian fatalities and injuries — it is critical for communitiesto become more pedestrian -friendly. A SOLUTION Local leaders and residents can help make the nation's neighborhoods more walkable by conducting a "walk audit" to identify the roads and intersections that should be walkable and crossable but are instead dangerous (by design) for pedestrians. A walk audit can help inform local decision -making by prioritizing areas in need of improvement and educating community members about the importance of street and sidewalk design. Participating in a walk audit can help people become better champions for local change. THE TIME COMMITMENT It can take less than an hourto complete a targeted, single -location walk audit. Oran audit can become a multi -hour event. The amount of time involved is entirely up to the "auditor" or audit team. ■ A Multilane, two-way roadways are common throughout the United States. Unlike most, this thoroughfare actually has pedestrian -supportive features, including sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic lights and pedestrian -controlled Walk/ Don't Walk signals. But is this a nice place to walk? Is it even possible to cross the entire expanse at once? A WALK AUDIT IS ... an activity in which participants observe and evaluate the walkability of a location to identify and document if and how pedestrians can safely travel along a street, navigate an intersection and get from Point Ato B and C and so on. A WALKAUDIT CAN ... • Gather input about community infrastructure needs and investments • Educate residents about design elements that support safety • Empower community members and local leaders to become agents of change A WALK AUDIT CAN LEAD TO ... • Reduced traffic congestion and pollution • Healthier, more active lifestyles • Increased propertyvalues • Safer streets for people ofallages WHO CAN DO A WALK AUDIT? • Everyone and anyone! ] I AARP Walk AudIt Tool Kit Page 47 of 89