Table of Contents
Background:
The main domains addressed by the Walking Route Audit Tool for Seniors (WRATS) are: functionality, safety, aesthetics, and destinations. The tool includes 59 items and most are measured using a 3-point scale.
Psychometrics:
Unknown
Author of Tool:
Jacqueline Kerr, Ph.D. and Dori E. Rosenberg, M.S.
Key references:
N/A
Primary use / Purpose:
WRATS is an audit tool to be used by researchers as well as laypeople to identify the best walking routes for older adults.
| Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans |
| Walking Route Audit Tool |
| Overview |
| The primary function of the Walking Route Audit Tool (WRAT) is to assess the current condition and suitability of a walking route. The WRAT is intended to be used during or following a site visit and provides a means of ensuring that all of the factors are considered. |
| Walking Route Audit Tool Criteria
The WRAT uses a range of criteria to assess how well a route meets the core design outcomes, with scoring ranging from 2, being the highest, to 0, being the lowest.
The criteria are: • attractiveness • comfort • directness • safety • coherence |
| How to use the RST |
| The WRAT requires the auditor to score the route against the following criteria: |
| 0 for poor provision (RED) |
| 1 for provision which is adequate but should be improved if possible (AMBER) |
| 2 for good quality provision (GREEN) |
| A score of 70% (i.e. a score of 28 out of a potential 40 points) should normally be regarded as a minimum level of provision overall. Routes which score less than this, and factors which are scored as zero should be used to identify where improvements are required. As the scoring is sometimes qualitative the tool also allows the auditor to add comments explaining their score allocation. The actions column allows auditors to record solutions to any of the issues identified on the route e.g. removing redundant street clutter to improve its attractiveness. |
| Summary |
| General information regarding the route can be entered at the bottom of the tool. |
| Further Information |
| LCWIP Guidance (Annex C) provides further information about the WRAT. |
| Acknowledgement |
| The WRAT was developed by Local Transport Projects Ltd. as part of the Active Travel Wales Guidance. |