USFS Trails Fundamentals Required Training Materials: (print before continuing training session)  Trail Fundamentals Reference Package  Posted at: 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 FSM/FSH  FS Standard Drawings & SpecificationsDrawings  Trail Management Business Rules  GIS Spatial Data  Deferred Maintenance ProtocolsProtocols  Federal Trail Data StandardsStandards

Establishing a Common Point of Reference… Trail Management Objectives (TMO)

TMOs Documentation 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

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 Trail  Predominant 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

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

TMO ROS / WROS Recreation / Wilderness Recreation Opportunity Spectrum

TMO Designed Use

TMO 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 Uses Standard/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 TypeTrail ClassManaged Use

From Managed Use… Managed Use AManaged Use BManaged Use C … Designed Use

TMO 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 Uses Standard/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 TypeTrail ClassManaged Use Designed Use

TMO 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 ClassTrail TypeManaged Use Designed UseDesign Parameters

TMO Target Frequency

TMO Access & Travel Management:  Managed Use  Prohibited Use

TMO Special Considerations

 Shared System  Accessible  Mechanized Tools/Equipment Prohibited  T&E / Sensitive Species  Heritage Resource  Easement, Permit, Agreement  etc…

TMO Remarks & Reference Information

 Document additional clarification  Cite reference decisions & materials  Footnote!

TMO 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)

TMOs Documentation 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 Step TMO: Point of Reference  Apply Design & Maintenance Standards  Trail Condition Assessments

Collect Field Data  What data to collect?  How much is enough?

Trail CASM Condition Assessment Survey Matrix

 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 Fundamentals  Trail Type   Trail Class    Managed Use   Designed Use    Design Parameters  CASM  FTDS: Federal Trail Data Standards FTDS  FSTAG: FS Trail Accessibility Guidelines FSTAG

Where to find it? Recreational Activities Special Programs Trail Management

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

Trail Fundamentals Cornerstones of…  Efficient Trail Planning & Management  Consistent, Quality Data  Accurate, Accountable Inventory & Costing