**Interagency Trail Data Standards (ITDS) Version 2**

**Trail Planning and Management Fundamentals**

**Trail Type  Trail Class  Managed Use  Designed Use**

Updated: 1/2004

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| > *Note: The management concepts incorporated in the ITDS Trail       |
| > Fundamentals are currently undergoing public notice and comment via |
| > the Federal Register under the leadership of the US Forest Service. |
| > Once this is complete and the final version published in the        |
| > Federal Register, the ITDS Trail Planning and Management            |
| > Fundamentals will be revised as needed to reflect the final         |
| > published version of these management concepts. (August, 2007)*     |
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The Interagency Trail Fundamentals include four fundamental concepts
that are cornerstones of effective trail planning and management:

> Trail Type
>
> Trail Class
>
> Managed Use
>
> Designed Use

Although not entirely new, these interagency concepts provide an
integrated means to consistently record and communicate the intended
design and management guidelines for trail design, construction,
maintenance and use.

**Trail Type**

*A fundamental trail category that indicates the predominant trail
surface or trail foundation, and the general mode of travel the trail
accommodates.*

Trail Types are exclusive, that is there can only be [one Trail
Type]{.underline} assigned per trail or trail segment. This allows
managers to identify specific trail Design Parameters (technical
specifications), management needs and the cost of managing the trail for
particular uses and/or seasons by trail or trail segment.

When one Trail Type "overlaps" another, identify each trail or trail
segment with its respective Trail Type as a separate route, with its own
Trail Name and Trail Number. The ITDS "Shared System" data attribute
will allow you to flag the route as also being used as a different type
of route or Trail Type, (presumably during a different time of the
year). For example, Canyon Ridge Trail 106 may be categorized as a
Standard/Terra Trail from MP 0.0 to its end termini at MP 7.4. The first
three miles of that same route may also function as a Snow Trail during
the winter, in which case a separate record would be established for
Canyon Creek Snow Trail #206 from MP 0.0 to MP 3.0. The actual naming
and numbering of trails (i.e. Standard/Terra Trails versus Snow Trails)
should be consistent with local unit identification protocols.

The three fundamental Trails Types include:

> **Standard/Terra Trail:** *The predominant foundation of the trail is
> ground (as opposed to snow or water); and that is designed and managed
> to accommodate ground-based trail use.*
>
> **Snow Trail:** *The predominant foundation of the trail is snow (as
> opposed to ground or water); and that is designed and managed to
> accommodate snow-based trail use.*
>
> **Water Trail*:*** *The predominant foundation of the trail is water
> (as opposed to ground or snow); and that is designed and managed to
> accommodate trail use by water craft. There may be ground-based
> Portage segments of Water Trails.*

**Trail Class**

*The prescribed scale of trail development, representing the intended
design and management standards of the trail.*

There is [only one]{.underline} Trail Class identified per trail or
trail segment.

The National Trail Classes provide a chronological classification of
trail development on a scale ranging from Trail Class 1 to Trail Class
5:

> Trail Class 1: Minimal/Undeveloped Trail
>
> Trail Class 2: Simple/Minor Development Trail
>
> Trail Class 3: Developed/Improved Trail
>
> Trail Class 4: Highly Developed Trail
>
> Trail Class 5: Fully Developed Trail

Each Trail Class is defined in terms of applicable Tread and Traffic
Flow, Obstacles, Constructed Feature and Trail Elements, Signs, Typical
Recreation Environment and Experience.

Trail Class descriptions define "typical" scenarios or combined factors,
and exceptions may occur for any factor. In applying Trail Classes,
choose the one that most closely matches the managed objective of the
trail.

Trail prescriptions describe the desired management of each trail, based
on land management plan direction. These prescriptions take into account
actively managed trail uses, user preferences, setting, protection of
sensitive resources, and other management activities. To meet
prescription, each trail is assigned an appropriate Trail Class.

There is a direct relationship between Trail Class and Managed Use
(defined below), and one cannot be determined without consideration of
the other.

These general categories can be used to identify applicable construction
and maintenance specifications and to identify basic indicators used for
determining the cost to meet national quality standards.

**Managed Use**

*Modes of travel that are [actively]{.underline} managed and
appropriate, considering the design and management of the trail.*

There may be [more than one]{.underline} Managed Use per trail or trail
segment.

Managed Use indicates a [management decision or intent]{.underline} to
accommodate and/or encourage a specified type of trail use.

**Designed Use**

*The intended use that [controls]{.underline} the desired geometric
design of the trail, and determines the subsequent maintenance
parameters for the trail.*

There is only [one]{.underline} Designed Use per trail or trail segment.

Although the trail may be actively managed for more than one use, and
numerous uses may be allowed, only one use is identified as the critical
design driver. The Designed Use determines the technical specifications
for the design, construction and maintenance of the trail or trail
segment. For each Designed Use and applicable Trail Class, a
corresponding set of standardized construction and maintenance
specifications or Design Parameters can then be identified and applied.

Of the actively Managed Uses that the trail is developed and managed
for, the Designed Use is the [single design driver]{.underline} that
determines the technical specifications for the trail. This is somewhat
subjective, but the Designed Use is most often the Managed Use that
requires the highest level of development. (ie: Pack & Saddle stock
require higher and wider clearance than a trail designed for Hikers). In
addition to Designed Use, managers must also determine the desired
development scale or Trail Class, with Trail Class 1 being the lowest
level of development and Trail Class 5 the highest. On a Trail Class 1
Hiker trail, the trail is basically a deer path and in places may
disappear and be reacquired later. Trail Class 5 is most often paved, or
at least hardened, and is associated with a highly developed Recreation
Opportunity Spectrum classification (ROS).

**Designed Use / Managed Use Types**

All Terrain Vehicle

Snow All Terrain Vehicle

Bicycle

Dogsled

Hiker / Pedestrian

Motorcycle

Pack and Saddle

Snowmobile

Snowshoe

Watercraft

Motorized Watercraft

Non-Motorized Watercraft

Cross Country Ski