Interagency Trail Data Standards USDA Forest Service ▪ Bureau of Land Management National Park Service ▪ US Fish and Wildlife Service

Getting It… Together  Requested by Interagency Trails Council  Establish a common set of data standards  Applicable to all agency-managed trails Development of the “ITDS”

 Develop standardized GPS Data Dictionary?  Develop standardized database?  Develop a core set of common data standards? Interagency Task: Data Dictionary or Database?

 Develop standardized GPS Data Dictionary?  Develop standardized database?  Develop a core set of common data standards? Interagency Task: Data Dictionary or Database?

 Develop standardized GPS Data Dictionary?  Develop standardized database?  Develop a core set of common data standards? Interagency Task: Data Dictionary or Database?

 Develop standardized GPS Data Dictionary?  Develop standardized database?  Develop a core set of common data standards Interagency Task: Data Dictionary or Database? ….that can be incorporated into data dictionaries or databases

Trail… What’s a Trail? A linear route managed for human-powered, stock, or OHV forms of transportation or for historic or heritage values. Interagency Trail Definition:

Factors to Consider  Interagency core data set  Data aren’t cheap!  Standardized terminology  Existing, standardized data attributes  Implementation feasibility & timeframes

ITDS Attribute Review Criteria  Relate to a core interagency question?  Of national, regional or statewide significance?  Provide data needed to meet applicable laws, regulations and/or policies?  Address key congressional, OMB and department-wide reporting requirements?  Currently available or obtainable? Does (or is) the Attribute…

What Do We Want To Know? Interagency Trail Questions  Basic Trail Information (trail name, length, location, etc.)  Management Information (trail uses, accessibility status, condition, cost, etc.)  Additional NST / NHT Questions (trail administrator, certified sites and segments, etc.)

Answering the Questions Interagency Trail Data Standards  Data Attribute  Attribute Definition  List of Values (LOVs)  Data Parameters  ITDS Application Protocols  Crosswalk Translation (if needed)

Is the Trail Accessible? Is the Trail Accessible? Data Standard Example Data Attribute: Accessibility Status Attribute Definition: Accessibility guideline compliance status for the trail or trail segment. List of Values: Accessible Not Accessible Not Evaluated

ITDS Attributes Attribute NameAttribute Definition Attribute Applies To * List of Values (LOV) Attribute Code LOV Definition Reg. Trail NSTNHT 1 NHT 2 NHT 3 Interagency Core Trail Data Attributes and Codes (LOVs) ACCESSIBILITY STATUS Accessibility guideline compliance for the trail segments with a Designed Use of Hiker/Pedestrian. XXXACCESSIBLETrail meets current agency accessibility guidelines. NOT ACCESSIBLETrail determined ineligible to meet current agency accessibility guidelines NOT EVALUATEDTrail not evaluated for accessibility.

ITDS Codes Attribute Name Attribute Definition List of Values (LOV) LOV Definition ACCESSIBILITY STATUS Accessibility guideline compliance status for the trail ACCESSIBLE Trail meets current agency accessibility guidelines. NOT ACCESSIBILE Trail determined ineligible to meet agency accessibility guidelines. NOT EVALUATED Trail not evaluated for Accessibility ADMIN ORG The unit where the trail or trail physically resides The administrative unit where the trail or trail segment physically resides (insert unit codes for USFS, NPS, BLM, & FWS) NA - NOT APPLICABLE Standardized List of Values for each Attribute

ITDS Data Parameters  GIS Item Name  GIS Alternate Name  Data Definition (Type & Width)  Attribute Null / Not Null  Multiple Values Allowed? Defined for Each ITDS Attribute

ITDS Data Parameters

ITDS Attributes

Interagency Benefits Interagency Benefits Additional Benefits of Working Together Interagency Trail Tools  Trail Class  NHT Corridor Concept  Managed Use  NHT Condition Categories  Designed Use

Currently Underway Federal Trail Data Standards Publication of the ITDS by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FY07-FY08) Interagency Trail and GIS representatives currently collaborating on:

Upcoming Tasks?  National Scenic Trail Attributes Identify additionally needed NST attributes  ITDS Implementation Strategy/Schedule For USFS, BLM, NPS, and FWS  Apply ITDS to Long-Distance Trails Provide implementation guidance, suggestions and examples for NST’s and NHT’s  Additional Trail Information Attributes Potential expansion of ITDS to include additional trail use & visitor Information

Where to Find It? Where to Find It?

USDA Forest Service ▪ Bureau of Land Management National Park Service ▪ US Fish and Wildlife Service ITDS

Frequently Asked Questions BLM: Adapting the standards into FAMS NPS: Adapting the standards into FMSS FWS: Adapting the standards into SAMMS USFS: Majority of standards incorporated in Infra Trails. Remaining standards planned for Infra Trails or Infra Heritage (for specific NHT attributes) How are agencies incorporating the Interagency Trail Data Standards?

Frequently Asked Questions County A County B “Trail segment” is used informally to identify the specific portion of trail to which a data attribute refers– or to answer the question being asked… What’s “trail segment” mean?

Frequently Asked Questions County A County B Trail Segment Examples: Trail Length:24.3 miles (segment ) Trail Class: 13.2 miles Trail Class 3; 11.1 miles Trail Class 2 (segment 0.0 – 13.2 and 13.2 – 24.3) County: 5.6 miles County A; 18.7 miles County B (segment 0.0 – 5.6 and 5.6 – 24.3)

Frequently Asked Questions What’s “No Overlap Allowed” Mean? No Overlap Allowed: Only one attribute value can be recorded at any given location along the trail or trail segment. Example: County Mile 0.00 – 17.4: Park CountyMile 17.4 – 28.3: Grove County

Frequently Asked Questions What’s “No Overlap Allowed” Mean? No Overlap Allowed: Only one attribute value can be recorded at any given location along the trail or trail segment. Example: County Mile 0.00 – 17.4: Park CountyMile 17.4 – 28.3: Grove County Overlap Allowed: More than one attribute value can be recorded, if applicable, at any given location along the trail or trail segment. Example: Prohibited Use Mile 0.00 – 28.3: ATVs, Motorcycles, Bicycles

Frequently Asked Questions What about “things along the trail”?   “Things along the trail” include trail structures, amenities, viewpoints, etc.   While potentially valuable data at the trail or agency-specific level, this level of detail was determined to be beyond the scope of the interagency standards.

Frequently Asked Questions For additional questions, answers and clarification:  Appendix G: Interagency Internal Review  Appendix H: Frequently Asked Questions Posted at

Bottom-Line Benefits Interagency Trail Data Standards  Improved communication and efficiency  For our internal and external customers  Through proactive interagency trails coordination and collaboration

USDA Forest Service ▪ Bureau of Land Management National Park Service ▪ US Fish and Wildlife Service ITDS