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

Trail Assessment & Condition Surveys

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

 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? TRACS

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 Inventory TRACS + Assess + Prescribe

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

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

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

National Quality Standards  Health & Cleanliness  Resource Setting  Safety & Security  Responsiveness  Condition of Facilities

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

TRAC’ers Training & Skill Development  TRACS Apprentice  Journey-Level TRAC’er  TRACS Master

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

Trail CASM Survey Accuracy & Specificity

 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 GIS, GPS & TRACS What’s the connection?

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

TRACS!

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

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

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

USFS Standard Drawings & Specs

USFS Standard Drawings & Specs

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

TRACS Condition Codes 1.Routine Maintenance 2.Repair/ Rehab 3.Replace 4.Decommission 5.Expand 6.Alter Function 7.Install New

TRACS Data Dictionary Features & Unit of Measure Standardized features, unit of measure, drawing #, required dimensions & material types

TRACS Data Dictionary Features & Tasks Standardized features, tasks, unit of measure, & severity factors

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

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

TRACS Survey Example

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 Productivity Factors

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

 Typical Tread Grade  Typical Side Slope  Typical Soil Type  Typical Vegetation: Brush  Typical Vegetation: Timber

Productivity Factor Codes  Standardized codes  Developed from perspective of trail construction & maintenance production rates

Productivity Factor Codes

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

TRACS Productivity Factor Survey Field observations about key variables affecting trail construction & maintenance

 Site-specific data  Used to refine costing  Useful for planning & management TRACS  Infra Trails Productivity Factors

Productivity Factors Because all trails not are created equal …

TRACS Sign Inventory

TRACS Photo Log

TRACS Photo Record

Where to find it? Recreational Activities Special Programs Trail Management

Where to find it?

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

TRACS Make the Most of Your Trip

TRACS Collect the right information… …the first time