copyright © 2014 by the university of kansas windshield and walking surveys

Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas

Windshield and Walking Surveys


What are windshield and walking surveys?

• Windshield surveys are systematic observations made from a moving vehicle.

• Walking surveys are systematic observations made on foot.


Why would you conduct windshield or walking surveys?

• Windshield or walking surveys give an objective view of the community.

• They can be adapted to community-based participatory action research, inviting community participation.

• They may allow you to see assets that community members take for granted or don’t see.

• They can be the easiest and quickest way to get an overview of the entire community.

• They allow clear comparisons among different neighborhoods in a city, villages in a rural area, etc.

• They can be very useful in understanding specific aspects of a community.

• They give you a “feel” for the community.


When should you conduct windshield or walking surveys?

• When you conduct a survey depends on your purpose in doing so:

• If the information you’re gathering is geographic or physical – where things are located, what housing is like – then the survey can be conducted anytime.

• If you want to understand how people use the community, you have to conduct your survey at times – perhaps a number of different times – when they’re likely to be engaged in the activities you’re interested in.

• You may have to do a number of surveys at different times of the day, week, and/or year to find out what you want to know.


Who should conduct windshield or walking surveys?

• A small urban neighborhood or rural village might be adequately surveyed in a day by a single person.

• A large city might require several days by several teams of observers. • If you’re engaged in participatory research, you might organize

observers in teams, each of which has representatives of several different stakeholder groups – different ages, cultures, ethnicities, income levels, community sectors (business, government, health and community services), etc.

• If the survey is to be done within your organization, you might consider using teams composed of folks from different parts of the organization (line staff, administrators, support staff, etc.) or from different locations.

• Consider safety when assigning particular people to particular neighborhoods, and when deciding whether individuals or teams should conduct the survey.


How do you conduct windshield or walking surveys?

General guidelines for both windshield and walking surveys• Determine who will conduct the survey. • Decide on the questions you want your survey to answer. • Decide on the areas you’ll include in your survey. • Decide when you’ll conduct your survey.

Train the people who are going to conduct the survey in the following strategies: • Get well acquainted with your questions, the purpose of the survey, and what you’re

looking for.

• Make and use a checklist to ensure that you address all your questions, and observe all the areas you want to.

• Try to be unobtrusive.

• Carry identification.

• Take notes as you go along.

• If you’re working in teams, assign roles.

• Discuss your findings as you go.

• Pay attention to safety.


Guidelines for a windshield survey • Use a map.

• If you can, try to use a team of at least two.

• Drive at a moderate speed, and avoid unexpected actions.

• Drive both on major and minor streets, particularly in residential neighborhoods.

• Pull over at regular intervals to make and compare notes.

• Try to be inconspicuous.


Guidelines for a walking survey

• Study a map beforehand, or do a drive-through so you’ll know where you’re going.

• Again, it can be helpful to work in teams.

• If you want to experience the community, take part in everyday activities.

• Go inside public buildings and cultural institutions.

• Sit down in a quiet place to take notes.


Windshield and walking surveys

• Sometimes, the best survey can be a combination of walking and driving.

• Analyze what you’ve seen and decide how to use the information.

copyright © 2014 by the university of kansas windshield and walking surveys

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