Healthy Development Measurement Toolkit

Indicator ST.3.g Area score on the Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index

Data Source

PEQI data collection requires a SFDPH-trained observer to visually assess street segment and intersection features (Table 1, below) while walking and check the corresponding box on a simple survey form created by SFDPH. Once collected, data is entered into a user-friendly Microsoft Access database that automatically scores the data. A PEQI score, reflecting the quality of the physical environment for pedestrians and based on a weighted scale informed by surveys of national experts, is created for each street segment and intersection in a defined study area. An example of the mapped PEQI street segment scores is displayed above. Maps can be made on the basis of the PEQI score or could depict a single PEQI environmental factor (e.g., lighting) or PEQI category (e.g., street design). SFDPH is finalizing a field manual with instructions on how to conduct the survey, use the PEQI Microsoft Access database, and geocode and display PEQI results. SFDPH also anticipates a Summer 2008 release of a report on the PEQI methodology, including variable selection, weighting, and score cut points.

Explanation and Limitations

Background

While many people enjoy walking as a simple way of getting around, an urban environment may present considerable barriers to incorporate walking into people's everyday routine. Some obstacles to walking include high traffic speeds, narrow sidewalks, unsafe intersections, and a lack of lighting. Researchers and planners have developed checklists and level of service (LOS) instruments for walking as one way of promoting attention to pedestrian needs in planning.

Objective

The objective of the Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index project is to develop a quantitative observational instrument to describe and summarize street and intersection environmental factors known to affect people's travel behaviors (i.e., whether they walk) and pedestrian safety.

Methods

Drawing on research from multiple sources we have identified five main categories for this study which embody physical environmental factors important for pedestrian quality. These categories include intersection safety, traffic, street design, land use and perceived safety (see Table 1 below).

Study Area

Applications of the PEQI include assessments of physical pedestrian environmental conditions on Treasure Island in collaboration with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition as a part of a community-based planning effort funded by CalTrans to create a walkable, bikeable Treasure Island. We have also used the PEQI in collaboration with PODER, UC Berkeley researchers and environmental justice students to assess pedestrian conditions in the Excelsior neighborhood of San Francisco. SFDPH also has or is currently applying the PEQI in our health impact assessment work in select areas of San Francisco's Eastern Neighborhoods (the Mission, South of Market and Potrero Hill) and Executive Park.

Data Collection and Analysies

Details are included above, in the "Data Source" section.

Application

The results from this project will be an assessment of the relative quality of the walking environment at a street-level scale in San Francisco neighborhoods that are surveyed. We developed the PEQI for a number of purposes, including assessing existing physical conditions and demonstrating the need for improvements in the course of land use and transportation planning, community education regarding built environmental factors that either promote or discourage walking in local neighborhoods, and to fill a gap in data regarding the physical environment on our city streets in order to assess how it predicts key health determinants such as physical activity.

Table 1: Categories in the Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index (PEQI)
TRAFFIC:	INTERSECTION SAFETY:	STREET DESIGN:
Number of Vehicle Lanes	Crosswalks (and if Ladder)	Width of Sidewalk
Two-Way Traffic	Pedestrian Countdown Signal	Sidewalk Impediments
Vehicle Speed	Crossing Speed	Presence of Curb
Traffic Volume	Crosswalk Scramble	Driveway Cuts
Traffic Calming Features	Traffic Calming Features	Large Sidewalk Obstructions
	Signal at Intersection	Trees
	Additional Signs for Pedestrians	Planters/Gardens
	No Turn On Red Signs	Public Seating
		Presence of a Buffer (Parallel Parking, Bike Lane)
LAND USE:	SAFETY (OTHER):
Restaurant or Retail Use	Illegal Graffiti
Public Art/Historic Sites	Litter
	Lighting
	Construction Sites
	Abandoned Buildings

Why is this a Community Health Indicator?

A high quality pedestrian environment can support walking both for utilitarian purposes and for pleasure. Recent studies in the United States have demonstrated that people walk on average 70 minutes longer in pedestrian oriented communities.^a,b In turn, walking contributes to minimum requirements for physical activity, an established protective factor for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and some types of cancer.^c As a form of transport, pedestrian trips do not contribute to noise or air pollution emissions. Finally, a vibrant pedestrian environment may contribute to both economic vitality and social interaction in a place, furthering the development of social capital. 

Parental concerns about the lack of traffic lights and controlled crossings on their child’s school route reduce the likelihood that their child will actively commute to school.^d In an evaluation of a Safe Routes to School program, the presence of pedestrian safety measures at street crossings was associated with a greater likelihood of walking to school for children.^e Finally, physical activity among children is higher when they have access to sidewalks, desirable destinations to walk to, and when children face fewer traffic hazards.^f