Source: BENEFICIAL DESIGNS INC. submitted to NRP
A STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENT PROCESS SUPPORTING HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES TO RURAL AMERICANS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1000357
Grant No.
2013-33610-21051
Cumulative Award Amt.
$449,063.00
Proposal No.
2013-02663
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2013
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2018
Grant Year
2013
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
The goal of the Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process (DORAP) will be to create a reliable and repeatable method for evaluating 18 different types of constructed features in outdoor recreation areas for compliance with applicable federal guidelines. On-line and in-person training and certification will be made available through a partnership with American Trails, a not-for-profit trails organization for all trail types. Guidance for disseminating the results of site assessments will be created and ADA transition plan templates will be created to assist with meeting accessibility requirements. This project will create an efficient, reliable, and accurate assessment process to determine if outdoor recreation elements meet accessibility guidelines. Travel monies for city, county, state and Federal agencies are limited so everyone from Scout Troops to professional assessment coordinators need on-line training and certification to ensure that valid assessments of outdoor recreation facilities are conducted. Electronic templates will be created to efficiently and accurately collect the data on mobile devices. The data can then be collected for land managers so that they can use it to meet their ADA obligations by creating transition plans and to schedule access improvements. Data can also be collected and made available to the public so accessible facilities can be easily identified. Congress mandated an evaluation of accessibility to outdoor recreation on federally managed lands in 1998 and the results highlighted that many federal agency units had not completed their transition plans. To add to the problem, no standardized format has been adopted for outdoor recreation transition plans. This project will develop and validate a standard method for assessing, disseminating, and planning the corrective action of constructed features in our nation's outdoor recreation areas. DORAP will be used by managers of public and private recreation areas to assess the accessibility of their facilities. DORAP will be used by product manufacturers to make sure their products are accessible for marketing purposes and avoid liability if they are not. DORAP will be used by private accessibility inspectors who will be able to obtain the training, certification, and tools they need to perform accessibility assessment services in the outdoor environment.
Animal Health Component
75%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
75%
Developmental
25%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1340520208050%
6086099301040%
9020599310010%
Knowledge Area
902 - Administration of Projects and Programs; 134 - Outdoor Recreation; 608 - Community Resource Planning and Development;

Subject Of Investigation
0599 - Recreational resources, general/other; 6099 - People and communities, general/other; 0520 - Campgrounds and picnic areas;

Field Of Science
2080 - Mathematics and computer sciences; 3010 - Economics; 3100 - Management;
Goals / Objectives
The goal of the Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process (DORAP) is to create a reliable and repeatable method for evaluating 18 different types of constructed features in outdoor recreation areas for compliance with applicable federal guidelines. On-line and in-person training and certification will be made available through a partnership with American Trails, a not-for-profit trails organization for all trail types. Guidance for disseminating the results of site assessments will be created and ADA transition plan templates for meeting accessibility requirements will be made available at no cost as part of the training. Technology advancements created to develop the means for assessment include: development of a mobile App for completing the DORAP assessment process; expansion of the High Efficiency Trail Assessment Process (HETAP) data collection software to include DORAP features; and addition of a solar charging system for the HETAP cart.
Project Methods
Objective 1: Create the Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process (DORAP) for all features Task 1. Create assessment procedures with statistically repeatable results for each outdoor constructed feature. a) Each feature type defined in the Draft-Final AGODA will be reviewed and a method to verify compliance of each condition of the guidelines will be created. The verification of each condition will become an attribute field of the feature type. The attribute fields will be organized into a data form for each feature. b) Three local recreation sites have been identified as the most developed, containing the most features in one location. Four other sites have been identified that offer varying levels of improvement, one has been identified that offers a variety of features including RV sites and a dump station. An outdoor rinsing shower feature has yet to be located within the immediate vicinity and may need to be constructed at an appropriate site for assessment testing. c) Three experienced evaluators will assess all relevant outdoor constructed features and access routes using the same tools to obtain detailed baseline measurements. Task 2. Validate DORAP to demonstrate statistically significant repeatability. a) An evaluator will assess one of each feature on different days with different tools and verify all results achieve less than a 5% margin of error. Task 3. Verify that expert, land manager, and accessibility consultants can obtain the same accessibility results. a) At least one person from each expertise will assess one of each feature and verify that the results have less than a 5% margin of error in comparison to the baseline measures. Objective 2: Create DORAP applications on multiple platforms Task 1. Organize the assessment process for recording results on paper data forms. Task 2. Create complete DORAP e-data collection format using personal electronic devices. a) Determine the most appropriate mobile device operating system to build a Mobile App. b) Acquire Xamarin or equivalent, mono development tools which will run with any potentially popular mobile device. Develop an e-data collection process using the .Net programming language. c) Develop a DORAP e-application for personal electronic devices available for purchase. Task 3. Add DORAP assessment protocols into the High Efficiency Trail Assessment Process (HETAP) to allow DORAP data collection during trail and Outdoor Recreation Access Route (ORAR) assessments. a) Research, test, and evaluate the use of a solar trickle charging system to the HETAP collection cart. Objective 3: Create data templates for dissemination of accessibility information Task 1. Create output formats of DORAP data compatible with Federal, state, and county databases. Task 2. Create an export of DORAP data in a File Geodatabase format for GIS Software to be used by land managers in conjunction with their existing data layers. a) Create an export for point and line data generated by DORAP on a mobile device. Add an extension for the HETAP system to handle DORAP data. b) Create symbols to represent each outdoor constructed feature type based on the family of the National Parks Service Symbols. Convert the symbols into a TrueType Font (.ttf) for use in GIS layer maps and for labeling park panel maps. c) Build queries within the data collection software based on compliance with the draft final AGODA. Task 3. Create a system for panel maps, viewing data on handheld devices, and viewing web-based media to identify compliant features to reduce confusion surrounding the use of an access symbol. a) Coordinate a summit of disability organization and land management representatives at an appropriate outdoor recreation, accessibility, or trails conference to collectively determine the optimal method of communicating the accessibility of facilities that comply with AGODA. Several scenarios will be presented and the participants will be challenged to make final recommendations. Topics covered would include: i. Use of International Symbol of Accessibility ii. Whether to mark facilities that do or do not comply with access guidelines iii. How to distinguish whether or not the feature is located on an ORAR iv. Type of marking/symbol that could be used on various signage types v. Create a discrete mark of approval for display on products that have been independently assessed and comply with the guidelines vi. Determine effective methods of disseminating DORAP assessment results to people with mobility impairments b) Develop symbol options based on Disability Summit recommendations. Evaluate understanding of the symbol options by presenting an array of symbols that include standard symbols and the compliance symbol or a model for each feature. c) Modify the TrailExplorer and other appropriate websites to disseminate information about the availability of accessible outdoor recreation facilities that are located on trails and/or within parks. Task 4. Create an on-line Wiki database that verifies the accessibility of outdoor recreation products. a) Proposed database to indicate: i. compliance with US Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (FSORAG) via manufacturer self-assessment using DORAP ii. compliance with FSORAG via independent assessment using DORAP iii. products that have not been assessed for accessibility or for which the accessibility assessment results are unknown Objective 4: Create DORAP training and certification Task 1. Create an in-person training course that includes classroom and on-site sessions that will prepare participants to pass a certification exam. a) Create assessment instructions for each condition that coordinate with the data forms and the software guided collection. b) Create classroom session PowerPoint training modules that can be adapted to the method of data collection: paper data form, mobile device, or HETAP System. c) Create an adaptable curriculum for practical on-site training for use with paper data forms, mobile devices, or the HETAP System. d) Evaluate the effectiveness of the training materials by observing trainees perform assessments of facilities whose measurements are known. e) Host hands-on training workshops at local, state, or national trails conferences that will verify the effectiveness of the training. f) Expand the existing partnership between Beneficial Designs and American Trails and the National Trails Training Partnership to offer hands-on workshops on an on-going basis. Task 2. Create on-line training modules that include a certification exam to extend the reach of DORAP to the many who are not able to travel for training. a) Translate the PowerPoint training modules and exams into digital formats compatible with an on-line system. b) Have the on-line e-learning and certification module completed by individuals who will perform assessments to verify training effectiveness. c) Establish and support delivery of the e-learning module and e-certification exam to complete on-line certification as a DORAP Assessment Coordinator. Objective 5: Create transition plan template Task 1. Create templates for reporting the self-evaluation results using DORAP. a) Research existing transition plans from various agencies and regions to identify the barriers to universal access of recreation areas. b) Coordinate a summit of disability organization and land management representatives at an appropriate national conference to present a draft transition plan template before a focus group for comment. c) Assess DORAP elements at a park and use the template to draft a transition plan. Evaluate the ability of the template to meet a variety of conditions and agency needs and revise based on the results. d) Establish the on-going dissemination of the templates through partnerships with organizations like American Trails. Task 2. Incorporate the transition plan research findings and focus group recommendations into a transition plan template with advisory guidance.

Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Audience Type 1 - Federal, State, and City/County Park Managers Federal, state, city, and county managers are faced with the challenge of providing accessibility for all users at their facilities. Land managers are responsible for a variety of jurisdiction sizes, from single parks to large regions that cross state boundaries. Some agencies prefer using existing cross-trained personnel to go out and gather measurement data and provide their own assessments and other agencies will prefer to hire a third party contractor to collect the data for them. Audience Type 2 - Private Property - Large private property managers and private property owners are looking for methods to increase attendance at their facilities in order to increase revenue. It is in their best interest to provide safe access to all of their facilities for the enjoyment and attraction of customers of all ability levels. These private properties may have small budgets for accessibility projects but typically have less bureaucracy to facilitate improvements. Audience Type 3 - Private Accessibility Inspectors evaluate and report on the current status and compliance of facilities and services to ensure programs are in place to comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. Their services include, but are not limited to: accessibility audits, plan checks, program and activity evaluations, and ADA transition planning. Customer Type 4 - Manufacturers of Outdoor Recreation Features recognize the need to provide accessible features to the market. Land planners are specifying products that comply with the applicable guidelines in all new construction and alteration projects. Manufactures may fear the liability of marketing their products as accessible if there is no clear process to verify compliance. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Webinar on April 2018: Getting the Word Out about Accessibility of Trails and Outdoor Recreation, in the American Trails Advancing Trails webinar series, available from https://www.americantrails.org/training/getting-the-word-out-about-accessibility-of-trails-and-outdoor-recreation How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Beneficial Designs has promoted and will continue to promate DORAP through conferences such as the International Trails Symposium, Professional Trail Builders Association, and National ADA Symposium (where ADA assessment coordinators come to receive training). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A collection process has been outlined for each feature defined in the ABA and Forest Service Accessibility Guidelines. The data collection process was prototyped for and tested for several features in a stand-alone windows-based data collection software that was developed by Beneficial Designs (BD). Help text has been developed, using common verbiage, for each collection where required. A Table Profile Tool was developed to simplify the assessment of tables for ADA and FS access. Measurement of the clear space underneath a table is otherwise very complicated. The software version of the collection process underwent beta testing with the Project Director and an Outdoor Recreation Expert with experience in the assessment of outdoor developed areas. The prototype software was reviewed and refined by an Occupational Therapist using staff members and outside reviewers regarding content and context. The data collection process has been tested for repeatability and reproducibility and results of the research revealed that the draft DORAP can adequately provide an evaluation process for outdoor developed areas for features that exist in outdoor recreation areas, as identified in the ABA guidelines: These data suggest that the DORAP accessibility attribute evaluations are repeatable and reproducible. The clear space measurements on natural surfaces was improved as a result of variability in the data. Feedback on the guidelines on this issue was provided back to the US Access board. Unique symbols have been created where they did not exist for each feature type that fit within the family of symbols created by the National Parks Service. Campsite Access Information was evaluated and refined using survey gizmo by users of campsites and picnic sites for refinement and application as signage and web-based information. These information formats are now part of BD services we can now provide. The DORAP data structure for the collection process was designed and verified using paper data forms and the prototype mobile device. Export of DORAP data into ArcGIS software maps was tested and verified. The training curriculum has been outlined and successful workshops have been conducted based on that curriculum. A user interface that did not collect DORAP data was prototyped on a mobile device for feedback from potential users to guide the development of the DORAP mobile device-based App. The development of a hard-coded software application specific to the DORAP assessment process was abandoned in favor of relying on existing mobile device data collection Apps that can be customized to support assessment processes like DORAP. These companies now provide a cloud-based data collection infrastructure to support in the field remote data collection to support assessment processes like our DORAP application. Three types of data forms were created in FastField Forms to support the DORAP App for measuring trails and Outdoor Recreation Features. A total of 18 different Built Feature Assessment Forms have been coded by our BD assessment coordinators into the FastField Forms architecture. One of these features has variations coded in to enable measurement of different types of cooking surfaces including fire rings, grills, fire pits and wood stoves. Similarly, bathrooms have many variations in the Outdoor Recreation Environment. RV hookups have three types of hook ups that have to be assessed for water, electricity and sewage use. Path of Travel Assessment forms were designed to allow the measurement of both Outdoor Recreation Trails and Access Routes for all kind of applications including Beach Access Routes. Firmness and Stability Assessment Forms were designed to provide for streamlined recording of data on trails and playgrounds with automatic averaging of the data to determine compliance with guidelines. Coversheet forms have been created to record all the relevant park and agency data that is required for any type of Outdoor Recreation assessment. BD data managers pull the data from the FastField servers in the cloud and use Excel spreadsheets with Visual Basic programming to process the data and compare it to ABA and Forest Service Accessibility Guidelines. An in-house programmer at BD completed all of the Visual Basic coding needed to do this. The BD ArcGIS expert can upload the Excel data into GIS maps for clients that want their data to be brought into their existing GIS mapping databases. A digital roll-a-wheel with integrated smart levels was created to increase the efficiency of the data collection process using the DORAP App on a mobile device. A Remote Sensing Assessment Technology Sensor Box was conceived to prototype a way to measure grade, cross slope, distance, and GPS and then push the data via Bluetooth to the mobile device running the DORAP App. A webinar was designed and presented for American Trails on the assessment of Outdoor Recreation facilities. Mini-webinars were programmed to teach DORAP App users how to use each of the forms that are part of the DORAP App. A 50 question exam was created to verify comprehension of the DORAP assessment process. Campsite and picnic site Universal Access Information was refined by our graphic artist to enable the results of DORAP assessments to be included in informational signage The pairing of Outdoor Recreation symbols with the International Symbol of Accessibility has been integrated into Trail Access Information, Campsite Access Information, and Picnic Access Information to meet the needs of park managers trying to meet the signage requirements in the ABA and Forest Service Guidelines for accessibility. Polling and demonstration of the DORAP has been completed with positive feedback that re-enforces the need and demand for such a product by industry professionals and improves awareness of accessibility issues in outdoor developed areas.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Enhancing Trail Accessibility, Connectivity and Outdoor Developed Areas with Modern Technologies, at the Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference in Fort Worth, TX
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Accessibility Summit for Outdoor Developed Areas, at the California Trails & Greenways Conference in Palm Springs, CA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Accessibility Summit for Outdoor Developed Areas, at the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals National Outdoor Recreation Conference in San Francisco, CA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Outdoor Developed Areas and Quest for Accessible Surfaces, at National ADA Symposium in Denver, CO
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Accessibility Workshop for Outdoor Developed Areas, at California Trails & Greenways conference in Yosemite, CA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process Precision Study, at the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) Conference in Denver, CO
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Accessibility Workshop for Outdoor Developed Areas, at the Mid-America Trails & Greenways Conference in Des Moines, IA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Becoming Compliant with the Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas, at the American Trails International Trails Symposium and Professional Trail Builders Association Conference in Portland, OR
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Outdoor Recreation Assessment Technologies and DORAPDeveloped Outdoor Recreation Area Assessment, at the Professional Trailbuilders Association Sustainable Trails Conference in Knoxville, TN
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Becoming Compliant with Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Areas, at the California Trails & Greenways Conference in Riverside, CA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Universal Design of Watercraft Landing Sites and Adaptive Equipment for Access, at the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Conference in Boise, ID
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Accessibility Workshop for Outdoor Developed Areas, at the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Conference in Scottsdale, AZ
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Accessibility and the Outdoors: Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process (DORAP), at the American Trails International Trails Symposium in Dayton, OH


Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Audience Type 1 - Federal, State, and City/County Park Managers Federal, state, city, and county managers are faced with the challenge of providing accessibility for all users at their facilities. Land managers are responsible for a variety of jurisdiction sizes, from single parks to large regions that cross state boundaries. Some agencies prefer using existing cross-trained personnel to go out and gather measurement data and provide their own assessments and other agencies will prefer to hire a third party contractor to collect the data for them. Audience Type 2 - Private Property - Large private property managers and private property owners are looking for methods to increase attendance at their facilities in order to increase revenue. It is in their best interest to provide safe access to all of their facilities for the enjoyment and attraction of customers of all ability levels. These private properties may have small budgets for accessibility projects but typically have less bureaucracy to facilitate improvements. Audience Type 3 - Private Accessibility Inspectors evaluate and report on the current status and compliance of facilities and services to ensure programs are in place to comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. Their services include, but are not limited to: accessibility audits, plan checks, program and activity evaluations, and ADA transition planning. Customer Type 4 - Manufacturers of Outdoor Recreation Features recognize the need to provide accessible features to the market. Land planners are specifying products that comply with the applicable guidelines in all new construction and alteration projects. Manufactures may fear the liability of marketing their products as accessible if there is no clear process to verify compliance. Changes/Problems:Last year's extension request was made as a result of an unsuccessful Mobile Device Application that was not able to be synchronized with a simulated cloud-based data storage and retrieval system. As a result, a plan was developed by our high level software architect and a proposal for the development a three part Remote Sensing Assessment Technology (RSAT) system was presented. On 13 September 2016 a proposal from Peak Data LLC was accepted for the development of a three part RSAT system consisting of a Cloud Platform, a Hardware Platform, and a Data Collection Terminal. This proposed architecture was designed to address the shortcomings of the previous Mobile Device Application. When the proposal was accepted and the contract was signed, the contractor Peak Data LLC was in the middle of a large project that was scheduled to be completed by January of 2017. The prototype of the Data Collection Device was to be ready for testing in the spring of 2017. However, the large project that Peak Data LLC was involved in required an additional six months to complete, meaning only part-time work could be dedicated to RSAT development during this time. The project that Peak Data LLC was working on previously is now completed and Peak Data LLC is now working on our project full-time. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Workshops took place in May of 2017 at the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) Conference in Scottsdale, AZ in May of 2017 at the American Trails International Trails Symposium Dayton, OH. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process (DORAP) project status and results to date were shared at the following conferences for feedback from the professionals in the field: - Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) Conference in Scottsdale, AZ (May 2017) - American Trails International Trails Symposium Dayton, OH (May 2017) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Finalize DORAP applications on multiple platforms Finalize data templates for dissemination of accessibility information Finalize DORAP training and certification Finalize transition plan template questionnaire Develop a database to indicate compliance with FSORAG

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? An in-depth study of the current ABA Standards for outdoor recreation facilities has been completed and additional resources in the accessibility industry have been utilized to develop the collection process for each feature defined in the standard. An onsite beta test was performed to further refine the process. Surveys were conducted at state and national conferences to establish the most effective dissemination methods for identifying outdoor constructed features that provide mobility elements. An initial assessment process has been developed, implemented in prototype data collection software, and the entire process has been beta tested. The results of the beta test identified positive and negative aspects of the process that resulted in recommendations for improvement and expansion of the process. Further, the platform for development of a mobile device app to facilitate the Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process (DORAP) has been identified and prototyped in a proof of concept app. Symbols for each feature type have been finalized and the methods to indicate that an outdoor recreation area or constructed feature provide mobility elements has been reduced to a refined set of options. These options are being reviewed in a survey directed at the general public. The following milestones have been crossed in the research and development of the DORAP to date. Wrote a clear set of specifications to create flexible and robust RSAT hardware and software. Created application business logic for defining and manipulating core RSAT data types (such as segments, stations, feature definition and feature instance). The majority of the python-based business logic of the RSAT software has been completed and is ready for testing with live data. Implemented a data storage interface for loading and saving core RSAT data types (for example, filesystem, DB, and API). Created basic data specification for defining a feature, create application logic to parse a feature definition. Implement basic input validation for each data type. Created a basic web user interface for interacting with RSAT application logic, with basic functionality such as creating a station, feature, etc. The goal of the prototype web UI is to provide a testable subset of the application for usability, software, and hardware technology evaluation. Selected computer hardware for the hardware platform. Small sized single board computers have been tested to implement the hardware platform and one has been selected for prototype and pre-production use. Based on the testing of several very small low power computer platforms including the Raspberry Pi, WRT Node (an embedded Linux computer) and the Variscite DART-6UL (another embedded Linux computer), the Raspberry Pi was chosen. The Raspberry Pi will be used for the prototype and pre-production version of the RSAT Data Collection Device. Selected appropriate GPS device for the prototype hardware platform after performing tests and analyses of multiple industrial GPS modules. The uBlox NEO-M8 GPS module has been selected for the prototype hardware. Created preliminary high-level hardware design for portable 'prototype support board'. The completion of the prototype support board schematic and printed circuit board design will be completed in August 2017, and the first prototypes will be built in September. The prototype support board includes the following components: A dual-stage, battery power supply with supercapacitor power backup, A programmable microcontroller to manage the power supply, An industrial-grade GPS module (uBlox NEO-M8) and GPS antenna, Interface electronics for the Serial Tilt Sensor, a modular and upgradable grade and cross slope tilt sensor. The Serial Tilt Sensor contains a three axis accelerometer and a single axis gyro with a digital Kalman filter with 0.2 degrees of accuracy. This board has been tested and verified to perform to this level of accuracy in a laptop based data collection system. Small LCD and buttons for operator interaction (power on/off, battery status, etc.) Selected, installed, and configured a Linux operating system for the hardware platform. Completed initial work creating an abstraction layer and API for the hardware platform hardware, power system, GPS, and sensors which provides a high-level interface for access from the UI layer (Sensor API). The remainder of the work on the hardware API will be completed in September 2017. Created a prototype data synchronization mechanism to allow the transport of data from the hardware platform to the cloud platform. The data synchronization mechanism is based on existing open source data synchronization tools. Implemented a software and hardware demonstration using a mock-up hardware platform, cloud platform, and data collection terminal. The demonstration included selected Hardware Platform computer (Raspberry Pi 3), the Linux operating system of the hardware platform, the RSAT application business logic, the prototype graphical user interface on the data collection terminal, the RSAT data synchronization mechanism, and the defining and manipulating core RSAT data types (such as segments, stations, feature definitions and features). The demonstration did not include the live sensor data because the API to provide this is still in development.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16

    Outputs
    Target Audience:Audience Type 1 - Federal, State, and City/County Park Managers Federal, state, city, and county managers are faced with the challenge of providing accessibility for all users at their facilities. Land managers are responsible for a variety of jurisdiction sizes, from single parks to large regions that cross state boundaries. Some agencies prefer using existing cross-trained personnel to go out and gather measurement data and provide their own assessments and other agencies will prefer to hire a third party contractor to collect the data for them. Audience Type 2 - Private Property - Large private property managers and private property owners are looking for methods to increase attendance at their facilities in order to increase revenue. It is in their best interest to provide safe access to all of their facilities for the enjoyment and attraction of customers of all ability levels. These private properties may have small budgets for accessibility projects but typically have less bureaucracy to facilitate improvements. Audience Type 3 - Private Accessibility Inspectors evaluate and report on the current status and compliance of facilities and services to ensure programs are in place to comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. Their services include, but are not limited to: accessibility audits, plan checks, program and activity evaluations, and ADA transition planning. Customer Type 4 - Manufacturers of Outdoor Recreation Features recognize the need to provide accessible features to the market. Land planners are specifying products that comply with the applicable guidelines in all new construction and alteration projects. Manufactures may fear the liability of marketing their products as accessible if there is no clear process to verify compliance. Changes/Problems:During the past year, we conducted an outside review of our proof of concept Mobile Device Application by three outside reviewers. While the proof of concept was successful, the data storage on the mobile device was not able to be synchronized with a simulated cloud-based data storage and retrieval system. We have now completed the development of requirements and specifications to allow any mobile device to serve as a Data Collection Terminal that will collect the data remotely on a Data Collection Device that can later be uploaded to a web-based database at a Central Data Store in the cloud. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The new survey was tested at the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Conference for the preferred access symbols. Recreational professionals (n=15) verified that it is not necessary to use the blue ISA in the outdoor recreation environment. Eight of those surveyed said the brown ISA should be used, while 6 confirmed that either brown or blue could be used, and only 1 said blue should be used. Almost all of those surveyed (13) said that it would be acceptable to pair the brown ISA with a campsite symbol when the campsite meets all access requirements. The new training materials were used at the MATAG conference in October 2015. These included paper data forms and the use of the proof of concept mobile device. BD presented a one-hour break out session at the conference about the ABA requirements and an overview of creating a Transition Plan as a pre-requisite to a 3-hour mobile workshop, which covers the assessment process in a park near the conference site. These new presentations now provide the basis of the overall curriculum. Workshops also took place in October of 2015 at the Mid-America Trails and Greenways (MATAG) Conference in Des Moines, IA and the California Trails and Greenways Conference in Riverside, CA in April of 2016. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process (DORAP) project status and results to date were shared at the following conferences for feedback from the professionals in the field: - National Recreation and Park Association Conference in Las Vegas, NV (Sept. 2015) - Mid-American Trails and Greenways (MATAG) Conference in Des Moines, IA (Oct. 2015) - Sustainable Trails Conference (PTBA) in Knoxville, TN (Mar. 2016) - California Trails and Greenways Conference in Riverside, CA (Apr. 2016) - Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) Conference in Boise, ID (May 2016) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to create DORAP applications on multiple platforms Continue to create data templates for dissemination of accessibility information Continue to create DORAP training and certification Continue to create transition plan template Development of a database to indicate compliance with FSORAG

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? An in-depth study of the current ABA Standards for outdoor recreation facilities has been completed and additional resources in the accessibility industry have been utilized to develop the collection process for each feature defined in the standard. An onsite beta test was performed to further refine the process. Surveys were conducted at state and national conferences to establish the most effective dissemination methods for identifying outdoor constructed features that provide mobility elements. An initial assessment process has been developed, implemented in data collection software, and the entire process has been beta tested. The results of the beta test identified positive and negative aspects of the process that resulted in recommendations for improvement and expansion of the process. Further, the platform for development of a mobile device app to facilitate the Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process (DORAP) has been identified and prototyped in a proof of concept app. Symbols for each feature type have been finalized and the methods to indicate that an outdoor recreation area or constructed feature provide mobility elements has been reduced to a refined set of options. These options are being reviewed in a survey directed at the general public. The following milestones have been crossed in the research and development of the DORAP to date. The DORAP assessment process for all features were finalized and validated for inter-rater and intra-rater repeatability. Output formats for dissemination of accessibility information were finalized in two formats to meet the needs of Federal, state, and local agency databases. These formats are a data table saved in a comma separated value (.csv) file and a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file in .xlsx format. Verification of compliance of the collected data was determined by querying the collected values against the minimum or maximum requirements of the ABA guidelines. On-line training modules that include a certification exam were created and the Forest Service now uses webinar training exclusively for internal training within their agency. Campsite Access Information has been developed and is being evaluated using survey gizmo by users of campsites and picnic sites for refinement and application as signage and web-based information. Development of requirements and specifications to allow any mobile device to serve as a Data Collection Terminal that will collect the data remotely on a Data Collection Device that can later be uploaded to a web-based database at a Central Data Store in the cloud. An export of feature data sets and feature data layers for point and line data generated through DORAP collections has been created.

    Publications


      Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15

      Outputs
      Target Audience:Audience Type 1 - Federal, State, and City/County Park Managers Federal, state, city, and county managers are faced with the challenge of providing accessibility for all users at their facilities. Land managers are responsible for a variety of jurisdiction sizes, from single parks to large regions that cross state boundaries. Some agencies prefer using existing cross-trained personnel to go out and gather measurement data and provide their own assessments and other agencies will prefer to hire a third party contractor to collect the data for them. Audience Type 2 - Private Property - Large private property managers and private property owners are looking for methods to increase attendance at their facilities in order to increase revenue. It is in their best interest to provide safe access to all of their facilities for the enjoyment and attraction of customers of all ability levels. These private properties may have small budgets for accessibility projects but typically have less bureaucracy to facilitate improvements. Audience Type 3 - Private Accessibility Inspectors evaluate and report on the current status and compliance of facilities and services to ensure programs are in place to comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. Their services include, but are not limited to: accessibility audits, plan checks, program and activity evaluations, and ADA transition planning. Customer Type 4 - Manufacturers of Outdoor Recreation Features recognize the need to provide accessible features to the market. Land planners are specifying products that comply with the applicable guidelines in all new construction and alteration projects. Manufactures may fear the liability of marketing their products as accessible if there is no clear process to verify compliance. Changes/Problems:There was an initial delay in obtaining approval for our Indirect Cost Agreement, which was signed by the Branch Chief, Policy and Oversight Division, Office of Grants and Financial and Beneficial Designs on 12 Dec. 2014. As a result of this delay, we have had access to limited projects funds covering direct costs only, causing a slow start in progress towards the project objectives. Since this time, we have been earnestly moving forward and ramping up working on all aspects of the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided??Trainings took place in conjunction with the surveys at state and national conferences such as the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results to date were presented 12 June 2015 at the the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) in Denver, CO. Hsu, I., Tolbert, N.T, Hurley, S.L. & Axelson, P.W. (2015). Developed Outdoor recreation assessment process precision study. Proceedings of the RESNA 2015 Annual Conference. Baltimore, MD: RESNA Press. Retrievable from: http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2015/jea/hsu.html. All 21 outdoor recreation features were compiled into a PDF format that lists each attribute to be collected along with a reference to the ABA standard that requires its evaluation. From those outlines, a draft data form was created for nine features to date. These data forms were presented for review and feedback in workshops at two outdoor recreation conferences: - 2015 California Trails and Greenways Conference in Yosemite, CA - American Trails 2015 International Trails Symposium in Portland, OR What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to create the DORAP assessment process for all features. Validate the DORAP by repeating the assessments of each feature by the same person on different days to demonstrate an accessibility outcome with statistically significant repeatability - Scheduled to start in October 2014. Verify that different experts can obtain the same accessibility outcome when accessing each outdoor constructed feature with statistically significant reliability - Scheduled to start in October 2014. Continue to create DORAP applications on multiple platforms Continue to create data templates for dissemination of accessibility information Continue to create DORAP training and certification Continue to create transition plan template Development of a database to indicate compliance with FSORAG

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? An in-depth study of the current ABA Standards for outdoor recreation facilities has been completed and additional resources in the accessibility industry have been utilized to develop the collection process for each feature defined in the standard. An onsite beta test was performed to further refine the process. Surveys were conducted at state and national conferences to establish the most effective dissemination methods for identifying outdoor constructed features that provide mobility elements. An initial assessment process has been developed, implemented in data collection software, and the entire process has been beta tested. The results of the beta test identified positive and negative aspects of the process that resulted in recommendations for improvement and expansion of the process. Further, the platform for development of a mobile device app to facilitate the Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process (DORAP) has been identified and prototyped in a proof of concept app. Symbols for each feature type have been finalized and the methods to indicate that an outdoor recreation area or constructed feature provide mobility elements has been reduced to a refined set of options. These options are being reviewed in a survey directed at the general public. The following milestones have been crossed in the research and development of the DORAP to date. A collection process has been outlined for each feature defined in the ABA Standards The complete collection process has been incorporated into a prototype stand-alone windows based collection software developed by BD Help text has been developed, using common verbiage, for each collection where required The software version of the collection process has undergone initial beta testing with the Project Director and the ORA Expert with experience in the assessment of outdoor developed areas The prototype software was reviewed and refined by an Occupational Therapist regarding content and context The collection process has been tested for repeatability and reproducibility and results of the research revealed that the draft DORAP can adequately provide an evaluation process for outdoor developed areas for features that exist in outdoor recreation areas, as identified in the ABA guidelines: These data suggest that the DORAP accessibility attribute evaluations are repeatable and reproducible, with the exception of clear space measurements on natural surfaces This research was published in the 2015 RESNA Conference Proceedings: Hsu, I., Tolbert, N.T, Hurley, S.L. & Axelson, P.W. (2015). Developed Outdoor recreation assessment process precision study. Proceedings of the RESNA 2015 Annual Conference. Baltimore, MD: RESNA Press. Retrievable from: http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2015/jea/hsu.html Unique symbols have been created for each feature type that fit within the family of symbols created by the National Parks Service The DORAP data structure for the collection process has been designed and verified in a stand-alone software application Export of DORAP data has been developed and verified Partnerships with two agencies have been established to use their facilities for testing of the DORAP and their staff as test evaluators for the transition plan template The training curriculum has been outlined and successful workshops have been conducted based on that curriculum A user interface that does not collect DORAP data has been prototyped on a mobile device for feedback from potential users An API is being written to define the communication protocol that will be required between the mobile app and a cloud based application and database It was determined that the cloud based application will need to be accessible to participating land management agencies, private customers and the public

      Publications

      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hsu, I., Tolbert, N.T, Hurley, S.L. & Axelson, P.W. (2015). Developed Outdoor recreation assessment process precision study. Proceedings of the RESNA 2015 Annual Conference. Baltimore, MD: RESNA Press. Retrievable from: http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2015/jea/hsu.html.


      Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14

      Outputs
      Target Audience:Audience Type 1 - Federal, State, and City/County Park Managers Federal, state, city, and county managers are faced with the challenge of providing accessibility for all users at their facilities. Land managers are responsible for a variety of jurisdiction sizes, from single parks to large regions that cross state boundaries. Some agencies prefer using existing cross-trained personnel to go out and gather measurement data and provide their own assessments and other agencies will prefer to hire a third party contractor to collect the data for them. Audience Type 2 - Private Property - Large private property managers and private property owners are looking for methods to increase attendance at their facilities in order to increase revenue. It is in their best interest to provide safe access to all of their facilities for the enjoyment and attraction of customers of all ability levels. These private properties may have small budgets for accessibility projects but typically have less bureaucracy to facilitate improvements. Audience Type 3 - Private Accessibility Inspectors evaluate and report on the current status and compliance of facilities and services to ensure programs are in place to comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. Their services include, but are not limited to: accessibility audits, plan checks, program and activity evaluations, and ADA transition planning. Customer Type 4 - Manufacturers of Outdoor Recreation Features recognize the need to provide accessible features to the market. Land planners are specifying products that comply with the applicable guidelines in all new construction and alteration projects. Manufactures may fear the liability of marketing their products as accessible if there is no clear process to verify compliance. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Trainings took place in conjunction with the surveys at state and national conferences such as Accessibility Summit for Outdoor Developed Areas (SORP) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results to date were presented 13 May 2014 at the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) in San Francisco, CA. Axelson, P.W., Tolbert, N., & Passo M. (2014). Accessibility Summit for Outdoor Developed Areas. Presented at Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Conference, San Francisco, CA. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to create the DORAP assessment process for all features. Validate the DORAP by repeating the assessments of each feature by the same person on different days to demonstrate an accessibility outcome with statistically significant repeatability - Scheduled to start in October 2014. Verify that different experts can obtain the same accessibility outcome when accessing each outdoor constructed feature with statistically significant reliability - Scheduled to start in October 2014. Continue to create DORAP applications on multiple platforms Continue to create data templates for dissemination of accessibility information Continue to create DORAP training and certification Continue to create transition plan template

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? An in depth study of the current ABA Standards for outdoor recreation facilities has been completed and additional resources in the accessibility industry have been utilized to develop the collection process for each feature defined in the standard. An onsite beta test was performed to further refine the process. Surveys were conducted at state and national conferences to establish the most effective dissemination methods for identifying outdoor constructed features that provide mobility elements. An initial assessment process has been developed, implemented in data collection software, and the entire process has been beta tested. The results of the beta test identified positive and negative aspects of the process that resulted in recommendations for improvement and expansion of the process. Further, the platform for development of a mobile device app to facilitate the Developed Outdoor Recreation Assessment Process (DORAP) has been identified. Symbols for each feature type have been finalized and the methods to indicate that an outdoor recreation area or constructed feature provide mobility elements has been reduced to a final set of options to be further examined in a survey directed at the general public. The following milestones have been crossed in the research and development of the DORAP to date. • A collection process has been outlined for each feature defined in the ABA Standards • The complete collection process has been incorporated into a windows based collection software developed by BD • Help text has been developed, using common verbiage, for each collection where required • The software version of the collection process has undergone initial beta testing with the Project Director and the ORA Expert with experience in the assessment of outdoor developed areas • Unique symbols have been created for each feature type that fit within the family of symbols created by the National Parks Service • The DORAP data structure for the collection process has been designed and verified • Export of DORAP data has been developed and verified • Partnerships with two agencies have been established to use their facilities for testing of the DORAP and as test subjects for the transition plan template

      Publications