What is an Active Travel Zone Assessment?

An ATZ Assessment evaluates the quality, safety, and accessibility of walking and cycling routes between a proposed development and key local destinations, such as:

• Public transport stops/stations

• Parks and green spaces

• Local schools, colleges, and hospitals

• Town and district centres

• London’s Strategic Cycle Network

The assessment ensures developments facilitate sustainable travel, improve health outcomes, and reduce car dependency.

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Our ATZ Methodology

1. Defining the ATZ Scope

   • Mapping the site’s 20-minute walking and cycling zones.

   • Identifying key active travel destinations within the ATZ.

2. Prioritising Destinations

   • High-priority destinations: Public transport nodes, strategic cycle networks, and town centres.

   • Medium/low priority: Green spaces, schools, and medical centres.

3. On-Site Analysis and Photographic Surveys

   • Daytime and nighttime site visits to assess routes using Healthy Streets Indicators:

     • Easy to Cross

     • People Feel Safe

     • Not Too Noisy

     • Places to Stop and Rest

     • Shade and Shelter

   • Identifying hazards, deficiencies, or severance points impacting active travel.

4. Vision Zero Analysis

   • Mapping clusters of collisions resulting in deaths or serious injuries (KSIs) along key routes.

   • Proposing measures to improve safety and reduce vehicle dominance.

5. Healthy Neighbourhood Characteristics

   • Assessing street density, permeability, and proximity to green spaces.

   • Identifying opportunities for improvements in public realm and active travel infrastructure.

6. Recommendations and Mitigation Measures

   • Prioritised improvements, such as:

     • New or improved pedestrian and cycle crossings

     • Footway widening, resurfacing, and hazard removal

     • Protected cycle lanes and segregated routes

     • Enhanced wayfinding, lighting, and safety measures

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