--- title: Walkability url: "https://www.systra.com/ireland/solutions/walkability/" type: solutions date_published: 2026-04-28 date_modified: 2026-04-28 schema: @type: WebPage language: en-IE word_count: 1280 reading_time: 7 min canonical: "https://www.systra.com/ireland/solutions/walkability/" featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/header-sds-transport_planning-1.jpg" --- # Walkability ![Walkability](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/04/header-sds-transport_planning-1.jpg) ## Facilitating walking in your area and informing local plans ![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/01/walkability-logo-1024x256.jpg) **With Walkability you can map and evidence the walkability of places in line with 20 min neighbourhoods / 15 min cities and other sustainable transport policies.** Assessing whether an existing neighbourhood or a new development is easily accessible on foot is a complicated challenge. Using SYSTRA’s Walkability toolkit, allows you to firstly assess the proximity of local services to the existing population and potential development sites, and provides the insights to identify walking routes and therefore for you to prioritise auditing and improving the quality of these streets. #### Key contacts ![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/01/martin-campbell_4.jpg) **Martin CAMPBELL** Digital Solutions Lead > [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-campbell-a3b8a629/) ![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/01/jordan-di-trapani.jpg) **Jordan Di TRAPANI** Principle Consultant > [LinkedIn](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jordanditrapani) #### Related services - [Active Travel](https://www.systra.com/ireland/markets/cities-urban-mobility/active-travel/) - [Walking & Cycling](https://www.systra.com/ireland/services/development-infrastructure/walking-and-cycling/) - [Pedestrian & Cycling Modelling](https://www.systra.com/ireland/services/data-modelling/pedestrian-and-cycle-modelling/) - [Streets & Placemaking](https://www.systra.com/ireland/markets/cities-urban-mobility/streets-placemaking/) [Request a Free Demo](https://www.systra.com/ireland/solutions/walkability/#h-request-a-demo-of-walkability) [Learn about the walkability team](https://www.systra.com/ireland/solutions/walkability/#h-we-d-love-to-help-with-your-next-project) ## Walkability Features ![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/01/walkability-screen.png) #### Identify levels of walking access to key services - Routing engine recommended by UK GOV. - Score your area based on access to services and points of interest. - Visualise consistently across an area using H3 hexagon global indexing.  - Identify ‘black spots’ of severance in an area.  #### Visualise walking demand - Shortest path tool identifies potential demand on the walking network. - Visualise where people are most likely to walk. - Identify long routes and pinch points. ![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/01/walkability-shortest-path-1024x572.jpg) ![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/01/walkability-heatmap-1024x572.jpg) #### Test land use plans and network scenarios Using a ‘heatmap’ approach to assess distances to the most frequently used services can then be used to develop a locally derived ‘walkability’ score and is especially useful at the early stage of development. - Test how accessible proposed developments are. - Add, move and remove services and points of interest to assess how the population served varies. - Modify the network to add or remove links. - Re-run tests quickly to gain insights prior to more detailed modelling. #### Utilise open data and processes for efficiency - Access assessments can be generated quickly using lightweight R programming and GIS techniques. - Utilise the availability of open data without the need to purchase or commission additional data. ![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/01/walkability-black-spots-1-1024x595.jpg) #### How can I measure if a new development meets 15-minute city or 20-minute neighbourhood standards? Walkability uses a heatmap approach to develop a locally derived ‘walkability score’ for your project. To comply with sustainable transport policies, you need evidence that maps the proximity and quality of local services to your development site or enhancements to existing areas (e.g. through local plans and walking and cyclign strategies). This helps you understand exactly how accessible a site is for future residents at the earliest stages of planning and where any proposed improvements for the existing population could be targeted. #### How do I visualise potential walking demand and desire paths for a local plan? You can identify potential demand by using the walkability shortest path tool. This tool visualises where people are most likely to walk based on the existing network. The analysis identifies pinch points and long routes, which allows planners to sense-check land-use plans and network changes before you make a significant investment. #### What data sources does the SYSTRA Walkability toolkit use? The Walkability toolkit uses open data to ensure the process is lightweight and efficient. This means you do not need to commission or purchase additional datasets to begin your assessment. Crucially, the Walkability tool uses a routing engine recommended by the UK government to ensure your evidence is robust and aligns with national standards. #### Is training or technical support required to use the SYSTRA Walkability toolkit? Walkability can generate assessments quickly for your project because the solution uses lightweight R programming and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Using the outputs from the tool require no training or technical support, however, our digital solutions team provides bespoke training, software licensing, and trials. Please contact us using the form on this page to discuss your requirements. #### How does walkability help with active travel policy and strategy? The toolkit provides the evidence base you need for an active travel strategy. By identifying where routes are severed and visualising demand, the toolkit helps you prioritise the interventions that will have the greatest impact on the number of people choosing to walk or wheel. ### We’d love to help with your next project ![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/01/martin-campbell_4.jpg) **Martin CAMPBELL** Digital Solutions Lead ![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/01/jordan-di-trapani.jpg) **Jordan Di TRAPANI** Principle Consultant [Connect with our walkability specialists](https://www.systra.com/ireland/contact/business/) ![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/paramics-mika-baumeister-yerrwvj_xy4-unsplash-819x1024-1.jpg) ### request a DEMO of walkability ## Insights ![high-street](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/06/high-street-1024x566.jpg) - Expert Insights Emily WALSH ### Can Manual for Streets 3 & the Next Round of Local Transport Plans Accelerate the Delivery of Better Streets? [ Read more ](https://www.systra.com/ireland/expert_insights/can-manual-for-streets-3-the-next-round-of-local-transport-plans-accelerate-the-delivery-of-better-streets/) ![l2-market-cities-and-urban-mobility-website-header](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/06/l2-market-cities-and-urban-mobility-website-header-1024x645.jpg) - Expert Insights Marta LIUT ### Creating Liveable Communities – A People Centric Approach [ Read more ](https://www.systra.com/ireland/expert_insights/creating-liveable-communities-a-people-centric-approach/) ## our Services ![scheme-business-cases-header](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/06/scheme-business-cases-header-1024x645.jpg) _services Business Case Development Read more sur Business Case Development_ ![pedestrian-and-cycling-modelling-header](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/06/pedestrian-and-cycling-modelling-header-1024x645.jpg) _services Walking and Cycling Read more sur Walking and Cycling_ ![pedestrian-and-cycling-modelling-header](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/07/pedestrian-and-cycling-modelling-header-1024x645.jpg) _services Pedestrian and Cycle Modelling Read more sur Pedestrian and Cycle Modelling_ ![behavioural-change](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/06/behavioural-change-1024x645.jpg) _services Behavioural Change in Transport Read more sur Behavioural Change in Transport_ ![l3-markets-active-travel-website-header](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/05/l3-markets-active-travel-website-header-1024x645.jpg) _markets Active Travel Read more sur Active Travel_ [Join our community](https://www.systra.com/ireland/register/join-our-community/) ![](https://www.systra.com/ireland/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/03/careers-1024x323.jpg) Interested in progressing your [career](https://www.systra.com/ireland/careers/start-a-career-at-systra/) at SYSTRA? Find out more about opportunities in our careers section. [SEARCH CAREERS](https://www.systra.com/ireland/careers/start-a-career-at-systra/) ## Check our other solutions ### Paramics Microsimulation ### Delta ### Eneval ### Opticharge ### PT Insight ### Collision Seek