Trail Systems

The most rapidly expanding section of Southern West Virginia’s growing tourism industry is the use of recreational trails, or more specifically, off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreational trails. In fact, in 2005, only white water rafting surpassed OHV recreational trails as the region’s most frequently visited outdoor recreational attraction.

Since RTI’s inception in 1999, researchers and educational professionals have realized the potential impact trails may have in boosting the region’s tourism industry and reviving the economy. Some of RTI’s first transportation research initiatives have addressed creating “Rails to Trails” projects along the Greenbrier River Trail, planning for development of greenways between the state’s major cities and developing and evaluating a geographical information mapping system for West Virginia’s largest trail system. In 2006, 15 employees also completed All Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute Training in order to safely and properly facilitate railroad research, trail construction and GPS mapping work across terrain only accessible by off-highway vehicles.

Trails Contracting Services

Recreational trails primarily consist of single track trails for hikers, horseback riders, dirt bike enthusiasts or mountain bikers, or double track trails, which accommodate off-highway all terrain vehicles. Many recreational trails utilize existing roads previously used for logging, coal mining or accessing mineral resources. However, before they are converted into use by the tourism industry, they first must be inventoried and mapped. Next, trail layouts and designs must be created, and finally construction must be overseen.

Trail Inventory and Mapping Consists Of:
  • The electronic data dictionary containing all coordinates, intersections, special features, significant environmental features and concerns, and locations of such features as bridges and trail heads (if desired by the client).
  • Complete detailed maps of the project area containing proposed and alternative trail routes and distances.
  • Location of trail heads and intersections.
  • Location of unique natural features.
  • Identification and location of environmentally sensitive areas and features.
  • Possible locations of trail support features such as bridges, stream crossings (fords), and surface water control devices.
Trail Layout and Design Consists Of:
  • A detailed map of the entire trail system including trail classifications, intersections, and related physical features.
  • Location of the trail alignment and possible alternative routes where appropriate.
  • Guidelines for construction and placement of the trail tread, surface water control devices, signs, bridges, stream crossing features and trail heads.
  • Recommended materials, supplies and equipment necessary to construct the trail and support facilities.
  • Additional products/services desired by the client will be negotiated on a per unit basis.
Trail construction oversight phase will include oversight in the following areas:
  • Clear vegetation and other obstructions along the trail corridor.
  • Construct the trail tread in compliance with grade and alignment specifications.
  • Incorporate surface water control features.
  • Identify locations and erect signs.
  • Construct or place bridge structures.
  • Provide stream and drainage area crossings (fords).
  • Construct trail heads.
  • Recommend routine maintenance procedures necessary to maintain the trail at desirable standards.
  • Additional construction features desired by the client will be negotiated on a per unit basis.
Hatfield McCoy Trails – www.trailsheaven.org
Huntington Museum of Art Multi-Sensory Trail – http://www.hmoa.org/nature/nature-trails/
Paul Ambrose Trail for Health www.paulambrosetrailforhealth.org

Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Online Courses

In addition, RTI was instrumental in the development of four online courses relating to creating and maintaining OHV trail systems: Introduction to Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation; Planning, Design and Construction of Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Systems, Construction of OHV Trail Systems; and Operation and Management of OHV Trail Systems. These courses, which are available to students on the graduate and undergraduate levels, may lead to a minor in Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Management. Individuals who have completed these courses have entered the workplace in positions such as trail specialists, director of field operations, director of trail planning and development, and trail maintenance crew.

For more information, see the complete listing of courses we offer.

Visit MUOnline to register for a particular course.