Walk Score created an enhanced version of its walkability ranking tool, which uses walking distances rather than “as the crow flies” distances, as well as intersection density and average block length.  The new version is called Street Smart Walk Score.  In addition, Walk Score revised the weights it assigns to various “amenities” or business types.  The Street Smart Walk Score search results show users exactly how many points each amenity contributed to their score.

A white paper providing a detailed explanation of how the Street Smart Walk Score algorithm works, as well as a rationale for choices made when designing the algorithm, can be found on Walk Score’s website.