Image users can observe characteristics included on built environment audit instruments by virtually “driving” through a community. Omnidirectional camera systems, like those used for Google Street View ( ), collect imagery in multiple directions to create panoramic views. New technologies using high-resolution omnidirectional imagery provide a visual record of built environment characteristics that may support more efficient and extendable alternatives to field-based methods.

This limits practicality of implementing field audits across large or geographically dispersed areas (e.g., local, regional, national, or international study sites) for example, in support of nationally representative studies. However, field audits are time and resource intensive because they require auditors to travel to each location that must be observed. Observational field audits are one method used in public health research to collect data on built environment characteristics that affect health-related behaviors and outcomes, including physical activity.

Public health researchers and practitioners recognize that interventions at the environmental or policy level provide opportunities, support, and cues to help people engage in physical activity and have the potential to benefit the population exposed to the environment, as potential complements to more individually focused interventions. Advocates of physical activity promotion have recognized that interventions must address not only individual-level factors (e.g., lack of time or motivation) but also interpersonal (e.g., social support), community or environmental (e.g., improving sidewalks), and policy (e.g., land use planning) factors.

Google earth 2010 street view download