DASH Guide:Walk Scores

This guide is just part of a larger DASH Data Guide.

Walk Score measures the walkability of any address using a patented system developed by the Walk Score company. For each 2010 Census Tract centroid, Walk Score analyzed walking routes to nearby amenities. Points are awarded based on the distance to amenities in each category. Amenities within a 5 minute walk (.25 miles) are given maximum points. A decay function is used to give points to more distant amenities, with no points given after a 30 minute walk.

Walk Score also measures pedestrian friendliness by analyzing population density and road metrics such as block length and intersection density. Data sources include Google, Education.com, Open Street Map, the U.S. Census, Localeze, and places added by the Walk Score user community.

What's Included in the Data

Publicly Available

• Census Tract
• Walk score rating

Where to Find the Data

• Open Data on the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center's Website
• Interactive Map
• Walk Score Information

Things to Know

A Walk Score is a measure of "walkability" and the scoring system (below) measures walkability:

• 90–100 Walker's Paradise
• 70–89 Very Walkable
• 50–69 Somewhat Walkable
• 25–49 Car-Dependent
• 0–24 Car-Dependent