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Trail Surfaces

Presented by: Gary Robb

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A trail map of Bradford Woods Park.

Trail Surface Research

Purpose

  • To compare the effectiveness of surface treatments for creating accessible trails for people with mobility impairments.
  • To examine the longitudinal effects of surface treatments on surface firmness and stability, the costs of applying the treatments, and their relative maintenance demands.

Methodology

  • Measurement of surface firmness/stability
  • User preferences
  • Longitudinal-3 years

User Evaluations

Click on the pictures to enlarge:

A picture of a woman and a girl with crutches standing on a smooth concrete trail surface.
A picture of a woman and a girl in a motorized wheelchair on a smooth concrete trail surface.		 A picture of a boy in a wheelchair sitting on a smooth concrete trail surface.

Surface firmness and stability

A picture of a smooth, concrete trail surface through the woods.
Click the picture to enlarge

Key Findings

  • Mtn. Grout and Plain Soil
  • Plain Soil
  • 1/4- limestone-plain soil
  • 1/4 limestone w/dust
  • Road Oyl and 1/4- limestone w/dust
  • Stabilizer and 1/4- limestone w/dust
  • Mtn. Grout and 1/4- limestone w/dust

Table of surface application and penetration data

Application

Penetration

Quarter Minus Limestone with Mountain Grout Soil Stabilizer

.009 -.03 inches

Quarter Minus Limestone with Road Oyl Resin Modified Emulsion

05 -.08 inches

Quarter Minus Limestone

.10 - .90 inches

Soil and Mountain Grout Soil Stabilizer

.21 - .87 inches

Quarter Minus Limestone with Stabilizer

36 -.59 inches
50% #11 Limestone and 50% soil

.45 – 1.2 inches

Soil

35 –1.80 inches

Ansi-Resna standards for firmness and stability: >.5 (not firm); > 1.0 (not stable)

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