Walkability Assessment: Albion Study Area

This was a semester long class project in which we assessed the walkability of the Hale Neighborhood in Denver. The study area that my team focused on was the northwest corner of Hale, referred to as the Albion Study Area or the Albion Neighborhood. Our client for this project was Walk Denver, a local nonprofit focused on improving walkability in Denver.

This project had four stages. During the first stage we conducted an existing conditions assessment. My role at this stage was to assist with retrieving and analyzing demographic data on our study area from the US Census Bureau. I also collaborated to write the analysis for each demographic data set. Below is a page from our final report that shows our analysis of the age demographics in the Albion Study Area.

During the second stage we conducted our site assessments. We started with a windshield survey to get a feel for the area. After creating a Site Assessments Execution and Safety Plan we conducted a walkability audit using a tool called WALKscope to collect data on sidewalk quality and intersection quality and to complete several pedestrian count assessments. We also completed a number of intercept interviews with pedestrians walking in our study area. The entire team collaborated to complete these tasks; with each of us collecting data and conducting interviews. Below is a screenshot of the WALKscope tool showing a map of the Albion Study Area and surrounding streets.

After finishing our site assessments we analyzed our findings and compiled them to add to our final report. My role was to create a visualization that displayed our main findings. This visualization, which is shown below, was also used to create our diagrams in the third stage.

During the third stage we did a gaps analysis and formulated recommendations together. We then compiled our findings and recommendations for the final report. My role during this stage was to write descriptions for the diagrams that displayed the walkability gaps we found and our recommendations. Below is one of the diagrams.

At the end of each stage we compiled our findings and analyses into a chapter. During stage four we edited each chapter and put them together into a final report. We then presented a summary of our report to our client. I contributed to the making of the Powerpoint presentation and presented a section of our summary. Below is one of the slides in our presentation.