USFS Trails Fundamentals

2. USFSTrails 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/

3. USFSTrails Fundamentals The Cornerstones...

4. Trail Type • Trail Class • Managed Use • Designed Use • Design Parameters • CASM Trail Fundamentals

5. FY00-FY04 National Trails ProgramEmphasis Review, revise and improve national database (Infra Trails) Develop complimentary trail condition survey process (TRACS)

6. Objectives Effective and efficient tool that’s useful for trail managers Accurate and accountable data to meet planning, public information and upward reporting needs

7. How? • FSM/FSH Definitions & Direction • FS Standard Drawings & Specifications • Trail Management Business Rules • GIS Spatial Data • Deferred Maintenance Protocols • Federal Trail Data Standards Start from a Common Point of Reference Link the Pieces

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

9. Documentation of the intended purpose and management of a National Forest System Trail based on management direction, including access objectives. TMOs

10. Trail Management Objectives

11. TMO Trail Definition

12. TMO Trail Type

13. Trail Type A category that reflects the predominant trail surface and general mode of travel accommodated by a trail.

14. Trail Types • Standard / Terra Trail • Snow Trail • Water Trail

15. Standard/Terra Trail • Predominant foundation is ground • Designed and managed to accommodate ground-based trail use

16. Snow Trail • Predominant foundation is snow or ice • Designed and managed to accommodate snow-based trail use • Does not include winter “play areas”

17. Predominant foundation is water Water Trail • Designed and managed to accommodate water-based trail use • May include overland portage segments

18. Only one Trail Type per trail. Trail Types • 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.

19. When two Trail Types are on same route: What about overlap? • Identify each trail with it’s own Name, Number, and Trail Type. • Identify them as Linked Routes so mileage duplication can be filtered out during queries.

20. Trail Type 

21. Trail Class Trail Class

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

23. 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 Class

24. Only one Trail Class identified per trail or trail segment. Trail Classes • 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.

25. Trail Class Matrix

26. Trail Class Examples

27. Trail Type Trail Class 

28. TMO ROS / WROS Recreation / Wilderness Recreation Opportunity Spectrum

29. TMO Designed Use

30. TMO Managed Use

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

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. 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 Managed Uses

35. Trail Type Trail Class Managed Use 

36. From Managed Use… Managed Use A Managed Use B Managed Use C …Designed Use

37. TMO Designed Use

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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 Use

41. 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 Designed Uses

42. Trail Type Trail Class Managed Use Designed Use 

43. TMO Design Parameters

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

45. Standardized set of construction and maintenance specifications. Design Parameters • 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.

46. Design Parameters • Design Tread Width • Design Surface • Design Grade • Design Cross Slope • Design Clearing • Design Turns

47. Design Parameters

48. Trail Type Trail Class Managed Use Designed Use Design Parameters 

49. TMO Target Frequency

50. TMO Access & Travel Management: • Managed Use • Prohibited Use