TRACS
Trail Assessment & Condition Surveys
Collect the right information the first time
TRACS
Trail
Assessment &
Condition
Surveys
Why Trail Condition Surveys?
 First-hand field knowledge
 Program management, inventory
& accountability
 Collect the right information…
the first time
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?
TRACS
Inventory
+
Assess
+
Prescribe
Trail Management Objectives
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
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, 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
Ready, Set….
National Standards
TMO: Point of Reference
Training & Skill Development
Application of Design Parameters
Appropriate Level of Accuracy & Specificity
TRACS User Guide
Instructions, Forms & Examples:
 TRACS Data Dictionary
 TRACS Surveys
 TRACS Productivity Factors
 TRACS Sign Inventory
 TRACS Photo Record
 eTRACS
TRACS Data Dictionary
Standardized Codes & Definitions:
 Constructed Features
 Feature Condition Codes
 Tasks
 Severity Factors
 Required & Optional Fields
TRACS
Feature Inventory
By Type, Location, Dimensions, Material
 Trailway
 Turnpike
 Puncheon
 Culvert
 Retaining Wall
 Etc.
USFS
Standard Drawings & Specs
www.fs.fed.us/.ftproot/pub/acad/dev/trails/trails.htm
USFS
Standard Drawings & Specs
TRACS
Assessment & Prescription
Concise, Consistent Identification of:
 Feature Condition
 Trail & Feature-Specific Work
Needed to Meet Standard
TRACS Condition Codes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Routine Maintenance
Repair/ Rehab
Replace
Decommission
Expand
Alter Function
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
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
Productivity Factor
Codes
Field Data is Collected:
 Via a Productivity Factor Survey
 Usually during the 1st full TRACS survey
 (Default values can be created in Infra)
TRACS
Productivity Factor Survey
Field observations
about key variables
affecting trail
construction &
maintenance
TRACS  Infra Trails
Productivity Factors
 Site-specific data
 Used to refine costing
 Useful for planning & management
Productivity Factors
Because all trails are
created equal …
TRACS Sign Inventory
TRACS Photo Log
TRACS Photo Record
Where to find it?
www.fs.fed.us
Recreational
Activities
Special
Programs
Trail
Management
Where to find it?
http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/rhwr/ibsc/index.shtml
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
TRACS
Make the Most of Your Trip
TRACS
Collect the right information…
…the first time