Abstract Manager

Sustainable engineered recreation trail designs for tender have grown in popularity with government and NGO forest landowners. This necessitates a response from engineers, tasked with developing trail designs that blend road construction principles with the organic characteristics of forest trails. This presentation advocates for the adoption of a landscape approach, where design considerations span from the initial concept phase to the final construction, with a particular emphasis on meeting accessibility standards. Accessible design provides everyone the opportunity to have a high quality experience and enjoy the natural beauty of our forests.

Starting with an exploration of the landscape approach, this presentation will review the identification and strategic handling of key natural features when deciding on trail placement and designing for environmental sustainability. The integration of LiDAR technology is examined, showcasing its potential in creating 3D maps to formulate designs that harmonize with the natural topography, mitigating long-term environmental impact associated with conventional engineering techniques, and the importance of slope management throughout the trail network. Critical aspects such as grading, trail surface quality, and maintaining connectivity are addressed, with a focus on tools specific to trail design to manage drainage and soil erosion. In addition, we will present case studies of successful trail projects in Ontario to exemplify the practical implementation of these principles.

By integrating sustainable and accessible design principles, and leveraging advanced technologies like LiDAR, this presentation aims to demonstrate how engineers can craft forest trails that cater to diverse user needs while upholding environmental integrity. The objective is to provide a professional discourse on trail engineering that fosters a balanced coexistence between recreation and environmental preservation.