Travel surveys play a critical role to measure project
outcomes, tracking performance or benchmarking. They also provide key
references for the amount of walking done. At the same time, walking presents
particular challenges for accurate measurement.
The collection of data on
mobility patterns and specifically walking data varies considerably between
countries and between cities, and also over time. This means that walking data
(and thus travel data on other modes) are rarely directly comparable from one place to
another. To address these problems of survey accuracy and comparability, a
standard way of defining and measuring walking has now been produced.
The International Walking
Data Standard has been developed over several years by the Measuring Walking
team of Walk21 and supported by experts around the world. It was launched at the Walk21 conference in Vienna in
October 2015.
The objective
of the Standard is to ensure that walking has a high profile in transport and
urban planning throughout the world. What is not measured is not seen as
important, and what is not seen as important is not properly measured.
International comparisons are important to establish “best” or “better”
practice and to inspire and encourage better conditions for people wanting or
having to walk. Specifically, the objective is to establish comprehensive data
on trips, such that walking is recorded with the same degree of accuracy and
diligence as other modes.
