Applicability:

Issue Date:
7 May 2004
Revision Date:
th30 July 2013
Revision No: 3

PWS Policy and Procedures

PWS wide

Document Title and Reference No:

Status: Approved

PWS Track Classification Scheme
PWS P- 036

Australian Standard: Walking Tracks (AS 2156.1-2001)
The following table summarises specifications for the various elements of the Australian Standard – Walking Tracks (AS-2156.1). It is provided here forcomparative purposes, but note that (as explained previously) there is no direct correlation between the PWS and AS classes below class 3/T1 and theschemes are best used independently for different purposes. The PWS class „Route‟ has no corresponding class in the AS scheme.

12Overview High use, easy access,suitable for wheelchair use,interpretation provided

Terrain No previous experience
required.

Width >1.2m.

34Slightly modifiedenvironments, moderate
numbers

Slightly modifiedenvironments, moderate
numbers

No previous experience
required.

No bushwalking experience
required. May encounter
steep slopes, watercrossings, etc. Users
responsible for own safety.
Generally <1.2m, variable.

Users need to be self-reliant. Users need to be self-reliant. Users need to be self-reliant.

>900mm.

Generally a modified surface, Generally distinct without
sections may be hardened.
major modification.

Gradient As per AS 1428; <1:14 (or 4° Generally <1:10 (or 6° or

Generally <1:10 (or 6° or10%), but may exceed 1:10
for short sections.

Signs Frequent.

10%), minimal steps.

May include platforms, seats
and barrier rails.
Frequent.

Weather Not applicableNot applicable

Risk management Tracks and built facilities

Tracks and built facilities
managed for public risk and managed for public risk andinspected at 30 day intervals. inspected at 3 monthintervals.
Moderate to highManagement Highintervention
Publicity Will normally appear on
maps.

Department of Primary
Industries, Parks, Water &Environment

Will normally appear onmaps.

Minimal facilities, few
encounters

6High use, easy access,interpretation provided

Surface & Broad, surfaced track suitable Generally a modified orhardened surface.
drainage for wheelchairs.
or 7%).
Steps only with alternate
ramp access.
Infra-structure May include platforms, seatsand barrier rails.

5Often indistinct tracks inremote areas.

Limited modification to natural No modification of the naturalsurfaces. Alignment may be environment.
indistinct in places.
Limited to environmental and May include steep sections of May include steep sections ofmanagement considerations unmodified surfaces
unmodified surfaces

Generally only for specific
Generally only for specific
Generally only for specific
Generally not provided
safety and environmental
safety and environmental
safety and environmental
considerations.
considerations.
considerations.
OK for direction, management Minimal, for management and Limited, for management
Not providedand interpretation purposes. directional purposes.
purposes.
Severe weather may affect
Severe weather may affect
Severe weather may affect
Severe weather may affectnavigation and safety.
navigation and safety.
navigation and safety.
navigation and safety.
Built facilities managed for
Built facilities managed for
Built facilities managed forNot be managed for public
public risk and inspected at 6 public risk and inspected at 6- public risk and inspected at 6- risk. Users responsible formonth intervals.
12 month intervals.
18 month intervals.
personal safety.
Moderate

Low to moderate

Low

Negligible

Will normally appear onmaps.

May be shown on maps

May be shown on maps

Will not be marked on maps

PWS Track Classification Scheme Policy
PWS P- 036

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