What Would a 'Run Score' Look Like?

Alexander Bimm writes from Toronto, which has already seen a fair amount of research and investment into the city's walkability, resulting in a position as the second most walkable city in Canada. Given the health benefits, and even potentially the mobility benefits, of running, Bimm wonders about what it would take to produce a new runnability index, something called a "Run Score."

According to Bimm, Toronto has a network of trails that offer runners an embarrassment of riches that could help with a Run Score: "what makes Toronto so great for running is that you can run from your door and promptly arrive to a great network of trails within 10 minutes. In some other cities, by contrast, he has to bike or drive to a nearby trail before starting his run."

As for how the Run Score would be calculated, it would probably resemble the Walk Score. "But scoring runnability might also consider new factors that are based on how convenient it is for people to run in that area," according to Bimm. "In particular, a run score could highlight areas in the city that have access to running facilities and well-maintained trails. It can also consider the topography and speed limits of a neighbourhood."

Bimm also makes the case that the hypothetical run score could benefit planners by notifying them of parts of the city that need additional investments in public health. Residents would benefit by more awareness to the kinds of infrastructure that supports a healthy lifestyle.