Screenlines are generally more suitable for walk trips, as they can cover both radial and orbital trips. The aggregate count across a cordon or screenline is more reliable than the individual counts. The ideal time for monitoring walking activity is when flows are highest. That is usually in June, and is linked to good weather and longer hours of daylight. However, because most walk journeys are for utility reasons, the number of walk journeys per month does not vary greatly - unlike cycling.
School holidays influence walking patterns and the purpose of a trip is often time dependent.
It is uncertain to what extent the weather influences the amount of walking activity overall. It is likely that leisure walking is more strongly affected by weather conditions than walking for utility purposes. Use national or regional sources of data wherever possible. Principle sources are the National Travel Survey, the Population Census and the Labour Force Survey. When local surveys are undertaken, methods and definitions should if at all possible be consistent with national surveys.