The importance of being parsimonious: Reliability of a brief community walkability assessment instrument

This research presents the Leyden Walkability Instrument (LWI), a brief survey checklist designed to measure the perceived walkability of a neighborhood or community where a respondent lives. The reliability of this instrument was tested using the intra-class correlation and found to be moderately substantially reliable (Landis–Koch rating) in every survey item (ranging from .54 to .76 and ranging in observed agreement from 72.8% to 93.9% with an overall instrument score of .71 and an observed agreement of 81.6%). The LWI is discussed in the context of other survey instruments designed to measure perceived walkability and found to be a useful addition because of its brevity and ease of use.