Trail revitalising

Western Australia

Bibbulmun Track973 km

Cape to Cape Track135 km

Two of the world’s great long distance walking tracks

1062 kmOff-road cycle touring

Trail revitalising

1. Framework2. Organisational structure

and procedures3. Branding and signage4. Trail infrastructure

Trail development & revival process

1. Proposal 2. Framework 3. Site Assessment 4. Concept Plan 5. Corridor Evaluation 6. Detailed Design 7. Construction 8. Management

Trail development & review process

What is a sustainable

trail?

Long term appeal

Positive impact on

environment and heritage

Valued & supported

by local community

Robust, durable & fit for

purpose

Well managed & maintained

Acceptable to land

managers

Complies with

standards

Trail development & revival process Stage Outcome

1 Proposal The proposed area is either supported in principle for trail development, or is not supported due to environmental, social or cultural constraints.

Desktop

2 Framework A project outline, including: a clear understanding of project objectives, stakeholders, roles, requirements and execution. Also includes ongoing management model

3 Site Assessment Undertake a broad scale study of the area and identify constraints and opportunities

Field

4 Concept Planning Identify opportunities and conceptual design plan produced. Possible corridors flagged.

5 Corridor Evaluation Concept plan checked and flagged in the field.

6 Detailed Design Detailed trail design produced, including: trail classifications, technical trail features (TTFs), construction types and specifications. Approvals gained.

7 Construction Trail is constructed in line with the detailed design.

8 Management Management plan implemented detailing maintenance and monitoring requirements

Project Area Site Assessment

Concept Plan Corridor Evaluation

DRA

DRA DRA

DRA

Detailed Design

Tourism model

Infrastructure

Visitor information

Product

Destination

TrailVisitor management

Community engagement

Marketing & promotion

The partnersDPaW Foundation

Land and Trail Managers

Maps

Public Liability

Construction

Marketing

Volunteer Program

Events Calendar

Community Engagement & Ownership

Maintenance

PromotionMerchandise and Guide Books

Trail TourismDevelopment

MOU

A long-distance trail dream realised through partnerships between the community & government

Funding

Stability

Specialised staff

Political Driver

Funding Opportunities

Signage is an essential aspect of any trail. It provides identification of the trail through name and branding, such as colour and design. It directs, assists in maintaining visitor safety and aids in minimising environmental impact. Signage is also used to provide cultural, historic and interpretive information and clarify trail principles such as ‘Leave no Trace’ and ‘Code of the Campsite’.

Trail signage

Types of signage• Interpretative

– Trailheads• Directional

– Markers– Distance & identificational

• Management– Risk– Hazard– Diversion– Cautionary– Regulatory

• Camp site• External• Traffic control

Logos & directional signageMunda Biddi Trail

Logos & directional signageCape to Cape Track

test

PARKS FOR PEOPLE

Interpretative signage

Item Long trail map

Short trail map

Trailhead Brochure

General written Information

Elevation profile

Distance table

Leave No Trace principles with their logo• Plan and prepare• Travel and camp on durable surfaces• Dispose of waste properly• Leave what you find• Minimise fire risk and impacts• Respect wildlife• Be considerate of others

Australian Standard Walking trail grading system/International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) standards (user group)

Length & expected time of trail/track, return/one way

Example of signage used

DPaW logo

Sponsor logos

DPaW contact details

Map disclaimer ?

Outline of what to expect (natural, aboriginal, cultural, activities, other)

Planning• Leave details with someone reliable• Mobile phone coverage & remoteness• Contact 000 for all emergencies• Complete log books• If you get lost

Water access

Temperature & weather

Trail sharing (if applicable)

Seasonal crossings

Fire safety & what to do if caught in bushfire ?

Camp fire permitted/not

Dieback

Dogs & other animals (if applicable)

Track maintenance/friends of groups

Coastal risk

Website link or QR code

Item Long trail map Short trail map Trailhead Brochure

Map

Contours & spot heights

Roads, tracks, trails with names where applicable

Creeks, rivers & lakes

Grid conversion north arrow

Tenure

North arrow

Scale

Permanent water point (listed as “for fire fighting use”)

Vehicle access points

DRA boundaries

Plantation & mining

Recreation & facilities with symbols

Date & GDA 94

Grid references (easting & northing)

Points of interests (as insert?)

Legend

Navigational items (powerlines, rail lines etc)

Reference tree

Bridge

“You are here”

Leave No Trace (short or long options)

Management signage

• Risk • Hazard • Diversion • Cautionary • Regulatory• Camp site • Disease risk

Risk signage

Diversion signage

AttentionBibbulmun Track

Trail Re-alignment

Please be advised that the Bibbulmun Track has been realigned due to prescribed

burning activities.

For you safety, please follow the re-alignment indicated by

the white waugal markers and directions of staff.

~ 520mm

~520mm

New diversion VRM guidelines to come out soon

Cautionary signage• Bridge ahead• Crossing ahead• Gate ahead• Bridge not suitable for

horses• Rifle range• Shared use

Regulatory signage

Traffic control signage• V85 < 75 km/h, distance to post = 80 to 120m• V85 < 90, distance to post = 120 to 180m• V85 > 90 km/h, distance to post = 180 to 250m

PARKS FOR PEOPLE

Trail user crossing sign specification for vehicles

Shape Diamond

Size Generally: 750 x 750mmSpeed limit less than 40km: 600 x 600mm

Colour Reflective fluoro yellow green vinyl with black screen printed insert‘trail user type’.

Pole 60mm OD round or rectangle pole with two TD-1 ring brackets.

Pole Height The height between the ground and the bottom of the sign may bebetween 1.5m and 2m.

Fixing into ground MRWA recommends not to use concrete to increase flexibility onimpact.

Trail infrastructureTrail infrastructure provides the physical aspect of what users see and use. It has the practical value, and can also be utilised for branding, such as the design of camp sites. It includes:• The track itself• Stairs• Bridges• Camp Sites• Toilets• Water tanks• Lookouts• Picnic tables

Type of stair design

WORKS PROGRAM CAPE TO CAPE

ASSET Total Work % Low Medium High VRM

Bridges 4 1 25 1

Cape to Cape signs 37 7 19 6 1

Other signs 23 6 26 2 4

Trail heads 5 0 0

Trail 1 1

Log steps 39 29 74 24 3 2

Stairs 6 2 33 2

Boardwalks 7 2 29 1 1

Lookout ? 2 1 1

Bench 23 13 57 10 2 1

Camp site toilets 4 1 25 1

Picnic tables 9 0

Water tanks 8 3 38 3

Gates 11 3 27 3

Old and new designNot just repair

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Total

Low

Medium

High

VRM

Trail erosion

Why is there erosion?

• Slope• Soil Type• Vegetation• Alignment in relation to prevailing winds• Fire impacts• Drying climate• Increasing use levels• Landform and siting constraints• Impact of turning tyres and walking boots

10% and Half Rule

Rolling contours

Trail Erosion

Outslope

New trail surface hardening

Trail stabilisation retrofitting

Resources

PARKS FOR PEOPLE

Kerstin StenderTrails CoordinatorWestern Australiakerstin.stender@dpaw.wa.gov.au