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
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