TRACS Trail Assessment & Condition Surveys: Collecting Key Trail Information Efficiently

2. TRACS Trail Assessment & Condition Surveys Collect the right information the first time

3. TRACS Trail Assessment & Condition Surveys

4. Why Trail Condition Surveys? • First-hand field knowledge • Program management, inventory & accountability • Collect the right information… the first time

5. TRACS • TMO-Based Reflecting forest plan & management decisions • Field Inventory Trail length, width & constructed features • Condition Assessment What kind of shape is the trail in? • Prescription What is needed & how often to meet standard?

6. TRACS + + Inventory Assess Prescribe T r a i l M a n a g e m e n t O b j e c t i v e s

7. TRACS Efficiency, Consistency, Quality • ‘Collect the Right Information the First Time’ • Trained & Skilled Personnel • TRACS Infra Seamless Relationship • Standardized Data Dictionary • Consolidated and Efficient Forms • eTRACS

8. TRACS Makes Sense • Efficiency & Consistency • Sound Business Management • Required Approach for USFS Trail Condition Surveys

9. TRAC’ing for Success • National Quality Standards • TMO: Point of Reference • Training & Skill Development • Application of Design Parameters • Appropriate Level of Accuracy & Specificity

10. National Quality Standards • Health & Cleanliness • Resource Setting • Safety & Security • Responsiveness • Condition of Facilities

11. TMO’s To be effective, every TRACS survey must be based on a trail-specific TMO

12. TRAC’ers Training & Skill Development • TRACS Apprentice • Journey-Level TRAC’er • TRACS Master

13. Assess & Prescribe Based on the Design Parameters identified for the trail, what’s needed to meet standard?

14. Trail CASM Survey Accuracy & Specificity

15. GIS, GPS & TRACS What’s the connection? • GIS: Spatial & tabular data displayed in digital map coverages • GPS: Survey method well-suited for collecting GIS spatial data • TRACS: Survey method well suited for collecting GIS tabular data

16. Ready, Set…. • National Standards • TMO: Point of Reference • Training & Skill Development • Application of Design Parameters • Appropriate Level of Accuracy & Specificity

17. TRACS!

18. TRACS User Guide Instructions, Forms & Examples: • TRACS Data Dictionary • TRACS Surveys • TRACS Productivity Factors • TRACS Sign Inventory • TRACS Photo Record • eTRACS

19. TRACS Data Dictionary Standardized Codes & Definitions: • Constructed Features • Feature Condition Codes • Tasks • Severity Factors • Required & Optional Fields

20. TRACS Feature Inventory By Type, Location, Dimensions, Material • Trailway • Turnpike • Puncheon • Culvert • Retaining Wall • Etc.

21. USFSStandard Drawings & Specs www.fs.fed.us/.ftproot/pub/acad/dev/trails/trails.htm

22. USFSStandard Drawings & Specs

23. TRACS Assessment & Prescription Concise, Consistent Identification of: • Feature Condition • Trail & Feature-Specific Work Needed to Meet Standard

24. TRACS Condition Codes • Routine Maintenance • Repair/ Rehab • Replace • Decommission • Expand • Alter Function • Install New

25. TRACS Data DictionaryFeatures & Unit of Measure Standardized features, unit of measure, drawing #, required dimensions & material types

26. TRACS Data DictionaryFeatures & Tasks Standardized features, tasks, unit of measure, & severity factors

27. Get Organized! TRACS Survey Form: • Systematically record key trail inventory, dimensions, materials, conditions & prescriptions • Walk out of the woods with a consistent, quality, & useful set of information

28. TRACS Survey Forms Record trail-specific inventory, dimensions, conditions & tasks

29. TRACS Survey Example

30. Productivity Factors

31. Productivity Factors Collecting Key, Trail-Specific Information • Physical factors that have a predominant effect on the accomplishment and cost of trail construction, maintenance and/or reconstruction

32. ProductivityFactors • Site-specific data (per CASM accuracies) • Usually don’t change much over time • Used to refine costing • Useful for planning, management & other information purposes

33. Productivity Factors • Typical Tread Grade • Typical Side Slope • Typical Soil Type • Typical Vegetation: Brush • Typical Vegetation: Timber

34. Productivity FactorCodes • Standardized codes • Developed from perspective of trail construction & maintenance production rates

35. Productivity FactorCodes

36. Productivity FactorCodes Field Data is Collected: • Via a Productivity Factor Survey • Usually during the 1st full TRACS survey • (Default values can be created in Infra)

37. TRACSProductivity Factor Survey Field observations about key variables affecting trail construction & maintenance

38. TRACS  Infra TrailsProductivity Factors • Site-specific data • Used to refine costing • Useful for planning & management

39. Productivity Factors not are created equal … Because all trails

40. TRACS Sign Inventory

41. TRACS Photo Log

42. TRACS Photo Record

43. www.fs.fed.us Where to find it? Recreational Activities Special Programs Trail Management

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

45. Results….TMO CASM TRACS Infra • Standardized approach to trail condition surveys • Based on TMO • Influenced by CASM • Quality Trail Prescription & Cost Information • Consistent, Versatile & Useful Data

46. TRACS Make the Most of Your Trip

47. TRACS Collect the right information… …the first time