Prioritizing shortcuts: A multilevel method for semi-rural walkability

Rural and semi-rural municipalities often lack effective tools to evaluate and prioritize pedestrian infrastructure. This study aims to develop and test a resource-efficient method for identifying high-impact pedestrian improvements, using the Norwegian municipality of Skaun as a case study.A two-level framework was applied. At the local level, 25 potential pedestrian shortcuts were assessed across four dimensions: accessibility, safety, comfort, and attractiveness. This assessment utilized GIS-based indicators and a weighted scoring system. To determine the most effective shortcuts, cost estimates were used to calculate benefit–cost ratios. At the network level, an adapted Walk Score® methodology was used to compare three different network scenarios (no shortcuts, prioritized shortcuts, and all shortcuts) to quantify changes in walkability.The prioritized shortcuts delivered 65% of the total potential benefit, achieving nearly the same reductions in car-dependent areas as full implementation would have. The local assessment effectively identified the most cost-effective projects, while the network analysis demonstrated improvements that lead to more walkable areas with minimal investment.This first test showed that the method is replicable and suitable for data-limited contexts, enabling municipalities to make evidence-based decisions. Combining detailed local analysis with a network-wide indicator provides a strategic way to maximize impact within constrained budgets.