Walking audit

The Pedestrian Environment Review System (PERS) is the most developed and widely used walking audit tool available.

PERS consists of: A PERS walking audit collects both quantitative and qualitative data on six types of facility in the street environment: Each facility is rated on a seven-point scale (-3 to +3) for different parameters such as effective width, dropped kerbs, permeability, or personal security.

The PERS software allows users to analyse and display walkability data using GIS maps, charts and quick win recommendation lists.

The software tool (PERS 1) was designed to allow transport professionals and community groups to quickly and cost-effectively assess and rate the walkability of local streets and recommend improvements for pedestrians.

The study demonstrates how PERS can be used to show how: "clear financial benefits can be calculated from investing in better quality street design".