Trail Assessments: what are they and how do we do them?Mid-Atlantic Regional Partnership CommitteeOctober 15, 2005

What is a Condition Assessment?Inventory Trail AssetsDetermine Condition of Trail AssetsManage Assessment Information

A.T. AssetTrail surface, erosion control structures, steps, crib walls, minor trail bridgesBuildings shelters, privies, retained and excess structuresCampsites constructed or managedParking Lots constructed or managedBoundary line Exterior Corridor Boundary Survey Major Bridges over 20 long and 10 off the ground, or complex design

Collecting InformationGPSUse Resource Grade GPS unitsData DictionaryCollect Location and Attribute Information at the same timeIntegrate data into our GIS

InventoryTRAILGPS surveyed in 1999Updated in 2002-2003Provided an accurate location of AT footpathOnly necessary to update relocations

InventorySHELTERSLocationDimensionsConstruction TypeCapacity

InventoryPRIVIESLocationDimensionsConstruction TypePrivy Type

InventoryCAMPSITESLocationDimensionsCapacityType designated, user created, bootleg/illegal

InventoryMAJOR BRIDGESLocationYear BuiltBridge Type Use Forest Service DefinitionsBridge MaterialsName

InventoryPARKING LOTSLocationYear BuiltSurface DimensionsCapacity

AssessmentsTRAIL PROBLEMSIdentify DeficiencyNote Actions to Correct DeficiencyMaterials NeededEstimated Person daysEvaluationTrail Crew

AssessmentOTHER PROBLEMSIdentify DeficiencyNote Actions to Correct DeficiencyMaterials NeededEstimated Person daysEvaluationTrail Crew

Information ManagementDATAField Data is Processed edited & correctedData is imported into an ATC Database GIS & Access, under developmentData is also used in NPS Database FMSSData is used by NPS to Request Project Funding

Information ManagementPHOTOSDocument AssetsUsed for Project PlanningStamped with InfoLinked to GISEventually Accessible in ATC Database

Information ManagementGISData Integrated into ATC GISCan be Viewed in Relation to Other Features Land Ownership Natural Resources Cultural Resources Other Trail ProjectsCan be used to Produce Maps

Information ManagementGather Quality Field DataDevelop Project Priorities from DataRequest Funding Based on Project PrioritiesUpdate Data TRAIL ASSESSMENT CYCLE

AT PROJECT MANAGEMENT CYCLEHQFieldATPOA.T. DatabaseCondition Assessment DataPMISATC BudgetingATC FundraisingATPO BudgetingFive-Year PlansRPCFMSSCompileEstimate?= Club= ATC= ATPOFinalized by Aug 15Annually by Aug 31Costs Estimated by SeptRPC Approved by SeptNPS deadline by Mid-FebNPS funds by late-Feb Field seasonReports due by Sept 30ComplianceBOD Approves Budget, NovRPCseeRaw DataseeInformation Management

2004 AssessmentMETHOD20% of the AT was Assessed in the FieldAT Sections were Randomly SelectedExtrapolated Assessment Results to Entire Length of ATEstablished a Base-line Condition for the AT Based on Field & Extrapolated Data20% of the AT will be Assessed in the Field Each Year

2004 AssessmentRESULTS43% (951 mi.) of AT is in Good Condition31% (687 mi.) of AT is in Fair Condition24% (539 mi) of AT is in Poor Condition0% of AT is in Serious ConditionCondition of AT is Determined by its Facility Condition Index - FCIReplacement Value/Deferred Maintenance $Based on Field and Extrapolated Data:

2005 and Beyond20% of the AT will be Assessed in the Field Each YearClubs and Volunteers are Integral to Assessment ProcessData will be Used to Update and Replace Existing InformationData will be Used to Plan Projects and Request Future Funds

GPS EquipmentGeoExplorer 3GeoExplorer XTRecon w/Pocket GPS