Measuring Walking
Towards internationally standardised monitoring methods of walking and public space
Source: European Cooperation in Science and Technology [COST], Pedestrian Quality Needs [PQN], Walk21
MEASURING WALKING is a joint (informal) project of the European COST Action 358 'Pedestrian Quality Needs' and the WALK21 international conference series.
The goal is to "establish a set of international guidelines for the collection, analysis and dissemination of quantitative and qualitative techniques for measuring walking" as was concluded at the WALK21 conference in Melbourne 2006.
Based on existing material the project seeks agreement among experts from different countries, professional backgrounds and cultures on common performance indicators and quality levels for data collection methods.
The guidelines will serve, among other purposes, as benchmark for the implementation of principles laid down in the International Charter for Walking. The process of discussing and agreeing globally on some minimal standards is estimated to take until 2010 (at least).
Workshops have been held at Walk21 conferences in Toronto (2007) and Barcelona (2008). Further work on performance indicators is underway in preparation for the 10th Walk21 conference in New York in October 2009.
A range of documents, including some of the presentations from the workshops, are available on this website. If you would like to get in touch with the project team, please email the co-ordinator (see address beside).
The project is financially supported by the Swiss Federal Roads Office and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research. Additional financial support is always welcome.
