National Walkability Index
The National Walkability Index is scored on a scale from 1 to 20.
Equation: (w/3) + (x/3) + (y/6) + (z/6)
Where w = ranked score for intersection density
x = ranked score for proximity to transit stops
y = ranked score for employment mix
z = ranked score for employment and household mix
Variables of the
National Walkability Index-MSA Level
MSA-Intersection Density
MSA-Proximity to Transit Stops
MSA-Employment Mix
MSA-Employment and Household Mix
References for Variables
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, & Office of Policy Development & Research. (n.d). Pedestrian Connectivity (Healthy Communities Assessment Tool). U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). https://archives.huduser.gov/healthycommunities/indicator/18066.html
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Smart Location Database (SLD) 3.0: Technical Documentation and User Guide. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/smart-location-database-technical-documentation-and-user-guide
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, October 25). Smart Location Mapping. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/smart-location-mapping#SLD
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2021). National Walkability Index: Methodology and User Guide. U.S. EPA.
Watson, K. B., Whitfield, G. P., Thomas, J. V., Berrigan, D., Fulton, J. E., & Carlson, S. A. (2020). Associations between the National Walkability Index and walking among US Adults—National Health Interview Survey, 2015. Preventive Medicine, 137, 106122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106122