USFS

Trails Fundamentals

Required Training Materials: (print before continuing training session)

Trail Fundamentals Reference Package

Posted at: www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/trail-management/trail-fundamentals/

USFS

Trails Fundamentals

The Cornerstones...

Trail Fundamentals

Trail Type

Trail Class

Managed Use

Designed Use

Design Parameters

CASM

FY00-FY04 National Trails Program

Emphasis Review, revise and improve

national database (Infra Trails)

Develop complimentary trail condition survey process (TRACS)

Objectives Effective and efficient tool that’s

useful for trail managers

Accurate and accountable data to meet planning, public information and upward reporting needs

How? Start from a Common Point of

Reference Link the Pieces

FSM/FSH Definitions & Direction FS Standard Drawings & Specifications Trail Management Business Rules GIS Spatial Data Deferred Maintenance Protocols Federal Trail Data Standards

Establishing a Common Point of Reference…

Trail Management Objectives (TMO)

TMOsDocumentation of the intended

purpose and management of a

National Forest System Trail based

on management direction, including

access objectives.

Trail Management Objectives

TMO

Trail Definition

TMO

Trail Type

Trail Type

A category that reflects the

predominant trail surface and

general mode of travel

accommodated by a trail.

Trail Types

Standard / Terra Trail

Snow Trail

Water Trail

Standard/Terra Trail

Predominant foundation is ground

Designed and managed to accommodate ground-based trail use

Snow TrailPredominant foundation is

snow or ice

Designed and managed to accommodate snow-based trail use

Does not include winter “play areas”

Water Trail

Predominant foundation is water

Designed and managed to accommodate water-based trail use

May include overland portage segments

Trail Types Only one Trail Type per trail.

Allow managers to identify specific technical specifications, management needs and the cost of managing the trail for particular uses and/or seasons by trail or trail segment.

What about overlap?

Identify them as Linked Routes so mileage duplication can be filtered out during queries.

When two Trail Types are on same route:

Identify each trail with it’s own Name, Number, and Trail Type.

Trail Type

Trail Class

Trail Class

Trail Class

The prescribed scale of development for a trail, representing its intended design and management standards.

Trail Class Reflects the management intent for a trail,

based on the land management plan, travel management decisions, trail-specific decisions, and other related direction.

Takes into account Managed Uses, user preferences, setting, sensitive resources, and other management activities.

May or may not reflect the current condition of the trail.

Trail Classes Only one Trail Class identified per trail

or trail segment.

Trail Classes reflect “typical” scenarios of combined factors, and deviations may occur for any factor.

Choose the one that most closely matches the management intent of the trail.

Trail Class Matrix

Trail Class Examples

Trail Type

Trail Class

TMO

ROS / WROSRecreation / Wilderness Recreation Opportunity Spectrum

TMO

Designed Use

TMO

Managed Use

Managed Use

The mode(s) of travel that are actively managed and appropriate, on a trail, based on its design and management.

Managed Use

Managed Use indicates a management intent to accommodate a specific use.

There can be more than one Managed Use per trail or trail segment.

Managed Uses are usually a small subset of the allowed uses on a trail.

Managed Use

There is a direct relationship between Managed Use and Trail Class.

Identify the Managed Uses for each trail or trail segment based on applicable land management direction, travel management decisions, trail-specific decisions, and other related direction.

Managed UsesStandard/Terra Trail

Uses:

Hiker / Pedestrian

Pack and Saddle

Bicycle

Motorcycle

All Terrain Vehicle

4WD > 50” in Width

Snow Trail Uses:

Cross Country Ski

Snowshoe

Snowmobile

Water Trail Uses:

Motorized Watercraft

Non-Motorized Watercraft

Trail Type

Trail Class Managed Use

From Managed Use…

Managed Use A Managed Use B Managed Use C

…Designed Use

TMO

Designed Use

Designed Use

The Managed Use of a trail that requires the most demanding design, construction, and maintenance parameters and that, in conjunction with the applicable Trail Class, determines which Design Parameters will apply to a trail.

Designed Use Although the trail may be actively

managed for more than one use, and

numerous uses may be allowed...

…there is only one Designed Use per

trail or trail segment.

Designed Use

Determines technical specifications for

trail design, construction and

maintenance

For each Designed Use and applicable

Trail Class, there’s a corresponding set

of nationally standardized technical

specifications….

Designed UsesStandard/Terra Trail

Uses:

Hiker / Pedestrian

Pack and Saddle

Bicycle

Motorcycle

All Terrain Vehicle

4WD > 50” in Width

Snow Trail Uses:

Cross Country Ski

Snowshoe

Snowmobile

Water Trail Uses:

Motorized Watercraft

Non-Motorized Watercraft

Trail Type

Trail Class Managed Use

Designed Use

TMO

Design Parameters

Design Parameters

Technical guidelines for the survey, design, construction, maintenance, and assessment of a trail, based on its Designed Use and Trail Class.

Design Parameters Standardized set of construction and

maintenance specifications.

Local deviations may be established based on trail-specific conditions, topography and other factors….

….provided that they are consistent with the general intent of the applicable Trail Class.

Design Parameters

Design Tread Width

Design Surface

Design Grade

Design Cross Slope

Design Clearing

Design Turns

Design Parameters

Trail Class

Trail Type

Managed Use

Designed Use

Design Parameters

TMO

Target Frequency

TMO

Access & Travel Management:

Managed Use Prohibited Use

TMO

Special Considerations

Special Considerations

Shared System

Accessible

Mechanized Tools/Equipment

Prohibited

T&E / Sensitive Species

Heritage Resource

Easement, Permit, Agreement

etc…

TMO

Remarks & Reference Information

Remarks & Reference Information

Document additional clarification

Cite reference decisions &

materials

Footnote!

TMO

Line Officer Approval

Line Officer Approval

1. Trail Manager: Prepare draft TMO

for reviews & finalization

2. District Ranger: Review and

approve official TMO

3. If subsequent TMO changes,

revise the TMO (following steps 1 & 2)

TMOsDocumentation of the intended

purpose and management of a

National Forest System Trail based

on management direction, including

access objectives.

TMOs TMOs may or may not reflect the current

condition of a trail.

TMOs are not management decisions.

TMOs can be changed.

During other data validation updates, do not inadvertently change an approved TMO or MVUM.

Training is important.

TMO’s

Pulling

it all together

Next StepTMO: Point of Reference

Apply Design & Maintenance Standards

Trail Condition Assessments

Collect Field Data

What data to collect?

How much is enough?

Trail CASM

ConditionAssessmentSurveyMatrix

Efficient and appropriate inventory and condition surveys

Survey frequency and accuracy commensurate with level of development and investment

Applicable to Infra data entry

Applicable to public information

Trail CASM

Trail CASM

Trail Fundamentals Trail Type

Trail Class

Managed Use

Designed Use

Design Parameters

CASM

FTDS: Federal Trail Data Standards

FSTAG: FS Trail Accessibility Guidelines

Where to find it?www.fs.fed.us

Recreational Activities

Special Programs

TrailManagement

Where to find it?http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/rhwr/ibsc/index.shtml

Trail Fundamentals

Cornerstones of…

Efficient Trail Planning & Management

Consistent, Quality Data

Accurate, Accountable Inventory & Costing