Accessibility assessments of urban areas using 114 indicators

The Audit of Safe Active Pedestrian Potential (PPAS AU) is a user-friendly input form supported by a user guide and a one or two-day training workshop. Government bodies and NGOs use the form on-site to compile data about road junctions, pedestrian crossings, pavements, cycle paths, physical access to public transport, urban functions, buildings, the environment, the countryside, and urban safety. Users register information against 114 predefined objective indicators on how favourable the locations are for use and to identify elements that need correction. Users deposit their data into an online database, which any interested organizations can access and use in their own assessments and analyses.
Designed by Société Logique, PPAS AU stakeholders include the Office of Persons with Disabilities in Québec, a researcher and representative from the Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre, and a representative of the Direction de Santé Publique de Montréal (Public Health Department). Their input was further coordinated with experts and groups supporting persons with disabilities.
PPAS AU has been used in six neighbourhoods in and around Montréal, five of which validated the features currently in place. In one case several corrections were made, such as repairing walkways, adding curbs, and marking pedestrian crossings.