WILKES-BARRE — When people think about transportation in Northeastern Pennsylvania, their first thoughts are likely cars and buses.
While those are the most common modes of transportation in the region, an important question is gaining attention among planners, community leaders, and residents alike:
How easy is it to get around NEPA on foot?
A recent report by The Institute examined accessibility and walkability across the region. The findings reveal a region with some highly walkable downtowns and neighborhoods, but also many communities where residents remain heavily dependent on vehicles.
“Walkability refers to how easily people can reach everyday destinations such as stores, restaurants, schools, parks, and health care facilities by walking,” said Jill Avery-Stoss, President and CEO of The Institute, “Factors that influence walkability include street connectivity, proximity to destinations, access to transit, and the strength of the infrastructure network. Walkability supports the resilience, environment, health, and economy of communities.”
Using the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Walkability Index, The Institute confirmed that some of the region’s traditional downtown communities scored the highest.
• In Lackawanna County, communities including Scranton, Carbondale, Old Forge, Jessup, Blakely, Clarks Summit, and Moosic ranked among the county’s most walkable areas.
• In Luzerne County, strong scores were recorded in Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Hazleton, Kingston, Forty Fort, Plymouth, Dallas, and Freeland.
• In Wayne County, the boroughs of Honesdale and Hawley emerged as the most walkable locations.
The broader regional picture, however, highlights a continuing dependence on automobiles.
“Most municipalities in Northeast Pennsylvania are categorized as car-dependent, particularly in more rural areas where destinations are spread farther apart, and transportation options are limited,” notes Avery-Stoss.
Data from America Walks, which combines EPA and Census Bureau information to evaluate walkable land use, shows that a majority of residents in all three counties live in areas rated as below-average for walkability.
Approximately 66.4% of Lackawanna County residents, 59.5% of Luzerne County residents, and 53.1% of Wayne County residents live in neighborhoods classified as below-average walkable.
Despite these challenges, Avery-Stoss said there are opportunities for improvement.
She said Northeastern Pennsylvania already benefits from an extensive network of trails and greenways, including the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, the Luzerne County Levee Trail, and other rail-trail systems that support walking, biking, and recreation. Avery-Stoss said investments in sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, trail connections, traffic-calming measures, and transit-oriented development could further improve mobility and quality of life throughout the region.
“While walkability varies significantly from one community to another, many of the region’s most vibrant downtown areas demonstrate what is possible when homes, businesses, parks, and services are located within easy walking distance,” Avery-Stoss said. “As communities continue to invest in transportation and redevelopment projects, walkability is becoming an increasingly important part of how Northeastern Pennsylvania grows and connects its residents to their larger community.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
