title: Conducting environmental assessments for physical activity: determining traffic volume in walkability audits in two West Virginia communities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this article, we examine the possibility of reducing time to conduct traffic volume audits through (1) reducing time for manual traffic counting and (2) using Department of Transportation (DOT) information.
  
  
  METHODS
  In audits of 824 road segments in 2 West Virginia (WV) communities, manual traffic counts were recorded for 1, 2, and 5 min in duration. Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) was calculated from counts. Available AADT from DOT was also collected. Percent agreement and a weighted kappa were calculated between 5-min count and 1- and 2-min count AADT categories and between 5-min count and DOT AADT categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One- and 2-min counts produced identical AADT categories as 5-min counts in 93.4% and 95.0% of segments, respectively. Weighted kappa was 0.79 (95% CI = 0.74-0.85) and 0.85 (95% CI = 0.80-0.89), respectively. Forty-two segments (5.1%) had DOT data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DOT AADT was available for a small percentage of road segments assessed. The high agreement between AADT categories produced by 1- and 2-min counts and 5-min counts makes it reasonable to consider using 1- or 2-min manual traffic counts if time or staffing constraints make it necessary. Possible generalizability of this methodology to other communities, particularly larger urban and suburban areas, will require further research.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
authors.forename: Karen K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Candace D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Rutt
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: Judd
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Flesch
authors.forename: L Michele
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Maynard
authors.forename: Keri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Harold W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kohl
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D013219:State Government; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population; D016138:Walking; D014903:West Virginia