Andrew L. Dannenberg, MD, MPH, Todd W. Cramer, and Chris J. Gibson. National Center for Environmental Health, DEEHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop F-30, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-7103, acd7@cdc.gov

Walking is a form of physical activity that can be incorporated into most people’s daily routines, especially if made convenient by a well-designed built environment. Although tools exist to assess the walkability of residential areas for children and adults, walkability is rarely assessed in the workplace where adults spend much of their time. We report the development of a new tool designed to assess the walkability of workplaces, such as office parks, university campuses, and light industrial facilities. Derived from existing tools, the instrument was developed for an audit of pedestrian facilities at a government agency with office and laboratory buildings on campuses in multiple states. A five-point scale is used to rate each walking segment on each of nine characteristics: 1) presence of a complete walking surface, 2) potential for pedestrian-motor vehicle conflicts, 3) presence of crosswalks, 4) route maintenance, 5) width of walking surface, 6) buffer between walking route and roadway, 7) accessibility for the mobility-impaired, 8) aesthetics, and 9) shade. Segment scores weighted by characteristic importance ranged from 20-39 (poor) to 40-69 (fair) to 70-100 (good). Of the 79 segments surveyed on ten agency campuses, 34% (27) were rated poor, 32% (25) fair, and 34% (27) good. Repeat assessments by independent observers yielded similar scores. Audit results are now being used by agency directors to plan improvements in campus pedestrian facilities. This instrument will provide other planners and stakeholders an objective tool with which to identify and eliminate barriers to convenient walking opportunities in their workplaces.

Learning Objectives:

• To identify the elements that are important in assessing the walkability of workplace settings.
• To describe how the results of a walkability audit can be used to facilitate built environment changes that encourage physical activity.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Occupational Safety

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.