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UDSA Forest Service Resources for Trails

USFS will make new research publications available

One of the goals of the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is to help distribute good technical information for trails and greenways planners. The RTP, which is part of the Federal Highway Administration, is partnering with the USDA Forest Service's Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) to develop products and to provide information for the public to improve trail construction and maintenance techniques.

Web Resources

Thanks to the Wood in Transportation Program, the Trail Bridge Catalog is now available to the public with funding by FHWA's Recreational Trails Program. The site includes drawings of all elements and types of trail bridges.

Some training courses are available onlilne. For example, Defensive Horse Safety, is an online training course on remaining safe while performing such tasks as catching, leading, tying, grooming, bridling, and saddling stock. Short video clips augment the text. From USDA Forest Service - Missoula Technology & Development.

Publications

FHWA has also worked with MTDC to provide several trail publications, such as the very popular Trails Construction and Maintenance Notebook. Two new publications are now available:

• 0223-2812-MTDC Floating Trail Bridges and Docks
• 0223-2821-MTDC Managing Degraded Off-Highway Vehicle Trails

Future Publications

In the future you can expect to see the following:

• Universally Accessible Trails (from San Dimas T & D Center)
• Composite Trail Bridge Study (using composite materials for trail bridges)
• Trail Bridge Catalog (which will be posted on the RTP website, not a hard copy report)
• Trail Bike Use Study: Determining Concurrent Users on Trail Systems
• Portable Rock Crusher for Trails (equipment to crush rocks on site for trail surfacing)
• Mountain Bike Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance
• Visual Resources (this will be developed along with the International Mountain Bicycling Association)
• Equestrian Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance Guide (likelyÑ we're still working out how to do this with Equestrian organizations)
• Liquid Sprayer for Dust Control (from San Dimas T & D Center, a sprayer that can be towed by an ATV to help settle dust or apply other trail tread additives)

If you would like copies of USFS publications that are currently available, please order them directly from the FHWA R & T Report Center. A form is posted on the Recreational Trails Program website: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrail.htm

Federal Trail Training Websites

USFS Missoula Technology and Development Program: http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/techdev/mtdc.htm

USFS Pacific Southwest Research Station: http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/

BLM National Training Center: www.ntc.blm.gov

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