Trail
Assessments:
what are they and
how do we do them?
Mid-Atlantic Regional Partnership Committee
October 15, 2005
What is a Condition Assessment?
Inventory Trail Assets
Determine Condition of Trail Assets
Manage Assessment Information
A.T. Asset
Trail – surface, erosion control structures,
steps, crib walls, minor trail bridges
Major Bridges – over 20’ long and 10’
off the ground, or complex design
Buildings – shelters, privies, retained
and excess structures
Campsites – constructed or managed
Parking Lots – constructed or managed
Boundary line – Exterior Corridor
Boundary Survey
Collecting Information
GPS
Use Resource Grade
GPS units
“Data Dictionary”
Collect Location and
Attribute Information
at the same time
Integrate data into
our GIS
Inventory
TRAIL
GPS surveyed in 1999
Updated in 2002-2003
Provided an accurate
location of AT
footpath
Only necessary to
update relocations
Inventory
SHELTERS
Location
Dimensions
Construction Type
Capacity
Inventory
PRIVIES
Location
Dimensions
Construction Type
Privy Type
Inventory
CAMPSITES
Location
Dimensions
Capacity
Type
designated, user created,
bootleg/illegal
Inventory
MAJOR BRIDGES
Location
Year Built
Bridge Type
Use Forest Service Definitions
Bridge Materials
Name
Inventory
PARKING LOTS
Location
Year Built
Surface
Dimensions
Capacity
Assessments
TRAIL PROBLEMS
Identify Deficiency
Note Actions to
Correct Deficiency
Materials Needed
Estimated Person
days
Evaluation
Trail Crew
Assessment
OTHER PROBLEMS
Identify Deficiency
Note Actions to
Correct Deficiency
Materials Needed
Estimated Person
days
Evaluation
Trail Crew
Information Management
DATA
Field Data is Processed
edited & corrected
Data is imported into an
ATC Database
GIS & Access, under development
Data is also used in
NPS Database FMSS
Data is used by NPS to
Request Project
Funding
Information Management
PHOTOS
Document Assets
Used for Project
Planning
Stamped with Info
Linked to GIS
Eventually Accessible
in ATC Database
Information Management
GIS
Data Integrated into
ATC GIS
Can be Viewed in
Relation to Other
Features –
Land Ownership
Natural Resources
Cultural Resources
Other Trail Projects
Can be used to
Produce Maps
Information Management
TRAIL ASSESSMENT CYCLE
Gather Quality
Field Data
Develop Project
Priorities from
Data
Request Funding
Based on Project
Priorities
Update Data
Information Management
Field
Raw
Data
ATPO
AT PROJECT
MANAGEMENT CYCLE
HQ
= Club
= ATC
Design
Process
Finalized
by Aug 15
Raw
Data
= ATPO
Annually
by Aug 31
Reports due
by Sept 30
Refine
Information
Report/
Learn
Field
season
Compile
Estimate
Costs Estimated
by Sept
Prioritize
Projects
Implement
Project
NPS funds
by late-Feb
RPC Approved
by Sept
RPC
Compliance
Fund
Project
BOD Approves
NPS deadline Budget, Nov
by Mid-Feb
Seek
Funding
FMSS
PMIS
ATPO Budgeting
?
ATC Budgeting
ATC Fundraising
see
RPC
2004 Assessment
METHOD
20% of the AT was Assessed in the Field
AT Sections were Randomly Selected
Extrapolated Assessment Results to Entire
Length of AT
Established a Base-line Condition for the AT
Based on Field & Extrapolated Data
20% of the AT will be Assessed in the Field
Each Year
2004 Assessment
RESULTS
Based on Field and Extrapolated Data:
43% (951 mi.) of AT is in “Good” Condition
31% (687 mi.) of AT is in “Fair” Condition
24% (539 mi) of AT is in “Poor” Condition
0% of AT is in “Serious” Condition
Condition of AT is Determined by it’s “Facility
Condition Index” - FCI
Replacement Value/Deferred Maintenance $
2005 and Beyond…
20% of the AT will be Assessed in the Field
Each Year
Clubs and Volunteers are Integral to
Assessment Process
Data will be Used to Update and Replace
Existing Information
Data will be Used to Plan Projects and
Request Future Funds
GPS Equipment
GeoExplorer 3
GeoExplorer XT
Recon w/Pocket GPS