Document Type
Master's Culminating Experience
Publication Date
2013
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the walkability of the community surrounding the Wright State University (WSU) campus using the Postsecondary Education Campus Walkability/Bikeability Semantic-Differential Assessment Instrument. Path safety, path quality and path temperature control were the three categories measured using twelve separate criteria. Thirty-four path segments were assessed in three distinct areas surrounding WSU campus; 29 segments were assessed during the day and five segments were assessed at night. The overall walkability score of the campus community was 66.2% or an average grade of C. No path segments scored above 85% and six path segments scored below 26%. Fifteen path segments in a residential area and had a walkability score of 72%. The residential area scored high (above 4.0) in the criteria of crosswalks, path maintenance, path size and accessibility. The other two areas were commercial and retail areas and had walkability scores of 69.7% and 43.3%. The low walkability scores (below 2.0) for these two areas are due to poor motor vehicle pedestrian conflict, nighttime safety and aesthetics. The campus community surrounding WSU is mildly walkable, with the residential area and one commercial area moderately walkable. Path maintenance, path size and wheelchair accessibility were features that were conducive to walking. Shade and nighttime safety were features that had the lowest scores. Overall, the walkability of the campus community is mildly walkable, with overall good scores for path quality, but has areas a few path segments that need improvement scored very low dropping the average walkability score.
Repository Citation
Ford, A. M. (2013). Walkability of Campus Communities Surrounding Wright State University. Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
