RECREATION TRAIL MOTOR VEHICLE BARRIER - PROTECTING RURAL ENVIRONMENTS AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO PEOPLE USING MOBILITY DEVICES

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0207640
• Grant No.: 2006-33610-17271
• Proposal No.: 2006-03087
• Project Start Date: Sep 1, 2006
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2010
• Grant Year: 2006
• Program Code: [8.6]- Rural & Community Development

Recipient Organization
BENEFICIAL DESIGNS INC.
1617 WATER STREET, SUITE B
MINDEN,NV 89423

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
Recreation trails are a key component of the social, economic and health of rural communities. People with mobility impairments are often excluded from trails, shared-use paths, parks and other public areas where barriers are erected to prevent access by motorized trail vehicles (MTVs), to control livestock or wildlife, as an access point in a fenced area, or for a variety of other reasons. Many people who use wheelchairs, hand bikes or other personal mobility devices (PMDs) have been forced to crawl on the ground in order to enter, or cannot enter at all. As a result, vehicle barriers that are currently being used all over the country do not comply with the newest Architectural Barriers Act/Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility for gates. The research goal is to develop a trail barrier that will prevent MTVs from using recreation trails while allowing access by people who use PMDs. During Phase 1 of this research, the size and performance characteristics that distinguish between MTVs and PMDs were identified and used to develop design concepts for barriers that would be accessible to hikers who use PMDs. Phase 2 of this research will further develop and evaluate these trail vehicle barrier design concepts to verify their effectiveness in allowing access for permitted users and restricting access of prohibited trail users. Phase 2 research will also establish the commercial viability and suitability of these trail vehicle barrier designs for use in a wide variety of trail environments and by diverse land management agencies (e.g., Federal, state, local, volunteer).

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
134	0599	2020	80%
134	0599	3080	20%

Knowledge Area
134 - Outdoor Recreation;

Subject Of Investigation
0599 - Recreational resources, general/other;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 3080 - Sociology;

Keywords

recreation trail accessibility

motorized

non-motorized

performance characteristics

Goals / Objectives
This project will design a trail gate that: prevents motorized vehicle access, allows non-motorized users and personal mobility devices (PMDs), and is consistent with accessibility legislation. Phase I established the feasibility of the vehicle barrier, identified characteristics that distinguish between motorized trail vehicles (MTVs) and PMDs, developed three initial design concepts and completed a trail manager needs survey. Characteristics that distinguished MTVs and PMDs and input from trail and rehabilitation experts, gathered through focus groups, provided the basis for the gate design concepts. Prototypes will be developed in Phase II and will be evaluated for suitability for various trail environments, accessibility to users with and without disabilities, and effectiveness in preventing MTV access. Focus groups and testing with trail experts will be used to refine the prototype into the most effective trail gate barrier.The specific objectives to be achieved during Phase II of this research include: 1. Construct working prototypes for four trail barrier concepts developed during Phase I: Enforcement Image Capture System (EICS), Maneuvering Profile Barrier (MPB), Depth Profile Barrier (DPB), and Alternative Mobility Device Gate (AMD Gate). 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of each barrier in preventing prohibited trail users, including livestock control and motorized vehicles. 3. Evaluate the effectiveness of each barrier in permitting access by permitted trail users, including people who use a variety of personal mobility devices. 4. Evaluate the effectiveness of each barrier in both winter and summer seasons, and in diverse climatic regions. 5. Obtain feedback from Federal, state, local and private land managers to determine the suitability of the designs for a broad spectrum of rural trail environments and the commercial feasibility of the prototype designs.Prepare construction diagrams/specifications, installation and maintenance manuals for the final barrier design(s).

Project Methods
Objective 1 tasks include: detailed drawings for each prototype, building models, complete preliminary testing for accessibility to people using a wide range of personal mobility devices (PMDs), compare to Phase I data for motorized trail vehicles (MTVs) to ensure that most MTVs or prohibited livestock will not be able to pass through the gate, modify and construct one working prototype of each design using the actual materials selected for durability and vandal resistance, and evaluate the installation and maintenance requirements in relation to the desired specifications identified through the Phase I land manager survey. Objective 2 tasks include: purchase auto heat detection camera(s) to evaluate the Enforcement Image Capture System (EICS) design concept, identify specific test locations, drive motorized vehicles past the EICS during daylight and repeat during night conditions. A focus group to determine the type of ground surface required to restrict or allow the passage of stock animals will be conducted and livestock owners will attempt to have their livestock negotiate each barrier. Objective 3 tasks include: identify specific test locations for PMD evaluations; install steel prototypes; and have people who have visual impairments, people who use PMDs and a variety of trail users (e.g., hiker, cyclist, skier) who do not use PMDs and have different levels of trail experience (e.g., beginner, intermediate, advanced) attempt to negotiate each barrier. Objective 4 tasks include: perform applicable evaluations for Objectives 2 and 3 under winter conditions (freezing temperatures, substantial snow load), under high heat conditions (high temperatures, intense sun), and under wet conditions (rain, slippery or muddy surface). Objective 5 tasks include: create a detailed videotape of the performance of each gate design and a document summarizing the commercialization factors (e.g., production cost, retail cost, maintenance needs, lifespan, effectiveness for trail user groups), present to a focus group of land managers and distribute to Phase II project advisory board, ensure a representative sample of at least 100 land managers (25 Federal, 25 state, 25 local, 25 private/volunteer), and obtain feedback on the suitability of the designs and the commercial feasibility of the four prototypes. Objective 6 tasks include: Create construction diagrams and specifications for final barrier design(s), create a step-by-step manual, create a research report to document and summarize the results of the evaluations, publish overall dimensions of PMDs for use by architects and standards setting organizations, and distribute detailed dimensional information on PMDs and MTVs for use by manufacturers and product designers in their work. Results will be analyzed for any access problems or limitations and the barrier(s) re-designed if appropriate. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize numerical (e.g., time to negotiate barrier, number of attempts required) and categorical (e.g., whether of not they were successful) data.

Progress 09/01/06 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Trails, the majority of which are located in rural areas, significantly improve the quality of life in and provide substantial economic benefits to the communities around them. Land management agencies are required to provide accessible facilities, but current gate designs that are accessible to personal mobility devices (PMDs), such as wheelchairs, also permit access by small motorized trail vehicles (MTVs) (e.g., snow machines, motorcycles). Therefore, currently land managers must choose between providing access to people with disabilities and protecting the trail environment from degradation through motorized use. Unfortunately, this results in people with disabilities often being prevented from using trails that prohibit motorized vehicles. This project designed a Contoured Trail Gate Barrier that: prevents most motorized trail vehicles (MTVs) access, allows all non-motorized users and PMDs access, and is consistent with accessibility legislation. The Contoured Trail Gate Barrier is made from reinforced concrete and is filled with steel and concrete. Additionally, a Pedestrian and Motorized Vehicle Trail Traffic Counter was designed that: identifies and counts trail entry and exit by pedestrians, identifies and counts trail entry and exit by motorized vehicles when a high temperature threshold is detected, and reports data to land managers through serial cable download, wireless transmitters, security systems, or an internet enabled contact sensor. Data was previously collected on PMD characteristics including key widths and heights in relation to being able to pass through a trail gate barrier. Extensive measurements were also collected on a variety of motorcycle types for key dimensional variables that play an important role in preventing unauthorized access. Anthropometric data of PMD users, including large wheelchair users, was previously collected at numerous events including the DAV Winter Sports Clinic and the Annual RESNA Conference. During Phase II, the Trail Gate Barrier design was redefined based on the mobility device data and user feedback collected. The Trail Gate Barrier meets a variation of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines that has been proposed to the U.S. Access Board. The Trail Gate Barrier was evaluated at the Professional Trail Builders conference. During this conference, a focus group confirmed the importance of combining a physical trail gate barrier with an electronic sensor package that will detect and record or report the presence of motorized vehicles that are attempting to access a trail on which motorized vehicles are not permitted. A prototype Enforcement Image Capture System (EICS) was evaluated at the 2008 National Trails Symposium. A revised design was evaluated at the the 2009 Trail Builders Conference. The final revision, the Pedestrian and Motorized Vehicle Trail Traffic Counter was introduced at the 2010 National Trails Symposium. Response to the product has been positive. A sample Trail Traffic Counter will be provided to the USDA Technology and Development center for evaluation. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The Contoured Trail Gate Barrier will allow land management agencies to provide access to people with disabilities while protecting the trail environment from degradation through motorized use. This project will provide technical benefits through enhanced accessible design capability, economic benefits to rural communities, and social benefits through enhancing the community participation and health of people with disabilities and their families. The commercial potential of the Contoured Trail Gate Barrier is extremely high given that the ADA/ABA accessibility guidelines require all land management agencies to provide accessible facilities. There is currently no other product on the market that could provide competition. Phase II results from users and land managers indicated that an electronic mechanism needed to be developed to accompany the Trail Gate Barrier. Efforts were focused on the development of an electronic solution that would work with a physical trail gate barrier to allow land managers to silently detect and track offending trail users who are violating access to trails using motorized vehicles. The Pedestrian and Motorized Vehicle Trail Traffic Counter was developed using electronic hardware, software, infared technology and special lenses. It is a single unit device designed to be positioned adjacent to a trailhead at a distance of 50 to 75 feet away in a tree or on a building. The system counts pedestrians entering and exiting the trailhead as motorized vehicle entry. The system uses infrared (IR) technology to detect entry and exit. Motorized vehicles are identified when a high temperature threshold is detected. The Trail Traffic Counter is designed to be used with a Trail Gate Barrier or steel bollards spaced at 32" at the trailhead.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Trails, the majority of which are located in rural areas, significantly improve the quality of life in and provide substantial economic benefits to the communities around them. Land management agencies are required to provide accessible facilities, but current gate designs that are accessible to personal mobility devices (PMDs), such as wheelchairs, also permit access by small motorized trail vehicles (MTVs) (e.g., snow machines, motorcycles). Therefore, currently land managers must choose between providing access to people with disabilities and protecting the trail environment from degradation through motorized use. Unfortunately, this results in people with disabilities often being prevented from using trails that prohibit motorized vehicles. This project will design a trail gate that: prevents motorized vehicle access, allows non-motorized users and PMDs, and is consistent with accessibility legislation. Data was previously collected on PMD characteristics including key widths and heights in relation to being able to pass through a trail gate barrier. Extensive measurements were also collected on a variety of motorcycle types for key dimensional variables that play an important role in preventing unauthorized access. Anthropometric data of PMD users, including large wheelchair users, was previously collected at numerous events including the DAV Winter Sports Clinic and the Annual RESNA Conference. During year 2 of Phase II, the design was refined for the Trail Gate Barrier 2.0 based on the mobility device data and user feedback collected to date. The Trail Gate Barrier 2.0 was fabricated for evaluation at the Professional Trail Builders Conference. The Trail Gate Barrier 2.0 meets a variation of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines that has been proposed to the U.S. Access Board. A focus group was held with trail managers during the 2008 Professional Trail Builders Conference. This focus group confirmed the importance of combining a physical trail gate barrier with an electronic sensor package that will detect and record or report the presence of motorized vehicles that are attempting to access a trail on which motorized vehicles are not permitted. This will allow land managers to catch and prosecute offending trail users. The Trail Gate Barrier 2.0 was also taken to a 2008 Northern Nevada Off-Road Motorcycle Event for evaluation by dirt bike riders. It was confirmed that a mechanical trail gate barrier by itself would communicate to law abiding motorcycle users that they do not belong on a non-motorized trail. We also confirmed that with effort, a dirt bike user could maneuver their bike through a mechanical trail gate barrier. Thus, further supporting the need for an electronic sensor package to be used in conjunction with a mechanical barrier. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The Trail Gate Barrier 2.0 will allow land management agencies to provide access to people with disabilities while protecting the trail environment from degradation through motorized use. This project will provide technical benefits through enhanced accessible design capability, economic benefits to rural communities, and social benefits through enhancing the community participation and health of people with disabilities and their families. The commercial potential of the Trail Gate Barrier 2.0 is extremely high given that the Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act require all land management agencies to provide accessible facilities. Currently, there is no other product on the market that could provide competition. Phase II results from users and land managers indicate that an electronic mechanism needs to be developed to accompany the mechanical Trail Gate Barrier 2.0 in order to successfully prevent access to motorized trail vehicles (MTVs). Therefore, current efforts are focused on the development of an electronic solution that will work with a physical trail gate barrier to allow land managers to silently detect and track offending trail users who are violating access to trails using motorized vehicles. Since infrared is the only way to detect temperature without physically contacting the vehicle, infrared sensors will be used to detect the temperature of the person or vehicle at the Trail Gate Barrier 2.0. A lens package will be designed to enable recording and reporting of offending trail users. Using standard alarm technologies, electronic hardware and software will be used to record and report the information to land managers using a format that is suitable to each organization's specific needs. The sensor will need to have built in digital signal processing to enable filtering and interface to a microprocessor. Interface of the infrared sensor to a microprocessor allows comparison of the temperature with specific thresholds and will monitor the system for alarm conditions such as a faulty sensor or low battery.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 09/01/06 to 08/31/07

Outputs
Trails, the majority of which are located in rural areas, significantly improve the quality of life in and provide substantial economic benefits to the communities around them. People with disabilities are often prevented from using trails that prohibit motorized vehicles. Land management agencies are required to provide accessible facilities, but current gate designs that are accessible to personal mobility devices (PMDs), such as wheelchairs, also permit access by small motorized trail vehicles (MTVs) (e.g., snow machines, motorcycles). Therefore, land managers must choose between providing access to people with disabilities and protecting the trail environment from degradation through motorized use. This project will design a trail gate that: prevents motorized vehicle access, allows non-motorized users and PMDs, and is consistent with accessibility legislation. Data has been collected on PMD characteristics including key widths and heights in relation to being able to pass through the trail gate barrier. Extensive measurements were also collected on a variety of motorcycle types for key dimensional variables that will play an important role in preventing unauthorized access. Anthropometric data of PMD users, including large wheelchair users, was collected at numerous events including the DAV Winter Sports Clinic and the annual RESNA conference. The trail gate barrier was presented and evaluated at the Professional Trail Builders Conference, a Northern Nevada dirt bike event and an Abilities Expo. Feedback on the function and design specifications of the barriers was obtained from trail land managers. Feedback was also obtained from MTV users and from hundreds of PMD users that were able to observe or drive through a prototype Trail Gate Barrier. The concept of the Trail Gate Barrier was also presented at an Access Board Meeting to the professionals who guide the drafting of the regulations for accessibility. Four functional prototype Trail Gate Barriers were fabricated for evaluation, including the Maneuvering Profile Barrier and the Depth Profile Barrier. The profile of a motorcycle on a skateboard was also mocked up to illustrate the function of the prototype.

Impacts
The Trail Gate Barrier will allow land management agencies to provide access to people with disabilities while protecting the trail environment from degradation through motorized use. This project will provide technical benefits through enhanced accessible design capability, economic benefits to rural communities, and social benefits through enhancing the community participation and health of people with disabilities and their families. The commercial potential of the Trail Gate Barrier is extremely high given that the Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act require all land management agencies to provide accessible facilities and there is currently no other product on the market that could provide competition. Phase II preliminary results indicate that a Trail Gate Barrier can provide access to most PMDs (99%) while prohibiting access to most MTVs. Based upon testing to determine if a motorcycle balanced on its rear wheel would be prevented from coming through the Trail Gate Barrier, the height of the prototype was increased. All commercial mobility devices that were not highly customized were able to pass through the prototype Trail Gate Barrier at the Abilities Expo. Mobility device users with extra high table tops mounted on their wheelchairs or other special accessories may have to adjust or temporarily remove the accessory to pass through the Trail Gate Barrier. Although it appears that there will always be some wheelchair users that will not be able to access a narrow clearance width; this is true in the built environment as well. Further evaluation of the Alternative Mobility Device Gate concept determined that it would not be needed since other profile prototypes would be able to accommodate alternative mobility devices. In addition, feedback from PMD users and land managers indicated that the Depth Profile Barrier feels somewhat confining. Therefore, subsequent prototypes have focused on a Maneuvering Profile Barrier. Significant input from land managers has been obtained to determine the suitability of the designs for a broad spectrum of rural trail environments and the commercial feasibility of the prototype designs. Generally, land managers in rural environments want an extremely heavy-duty version of the Trail Gate Barrier resistant to welding equipment and large monster trucks that may try to pull the barrier from the ground. Land managers in more urban areas would prefer to have the barrier designed to keep honest trail users honest and to focus less on the durability of the system. In all environments there is a desire by some land managers to have a hidden camera system to compliment the Trail Gate Barrier. In addition, it is felt that due to the dramatic quantities of snow that can fall in regions where motorized snow machines are used, it is unrealistic to expect that any sort of Trail Gate Barrier would remain functional during the winter months. Feedback on the trail gate barrier from the access board was obtained and this work may create new exceptions in clear space width related to outdoor recreation use.

Publications

• No publications reported this period