The future of trails: Technology, safe- ty, and the Missouri Trails Project
By Joshua Adams, Missouri Trail Project Coordinator, Missouri Park & Recreation Association
rails are important, we all know that, yet technology is bringing amazing opportunities to increase tourism, establish new ideas, and pro- problems.
T
The most impressive evolution for trail users is the technology for trail activities and addressing safety. Technology for trails is adding new adventures, allowing us to share our journey to the world. Currently, we have mobile devices, geographic information systems (GIS), autonomous vehicles, drones, E-transportation, biometric devices, electronic wearables, and augmented reality (AR).
The biggest desire among trail users is their concern for safety. Trail safety is not always addressing crime, but accidents. Yes, we hike, we bike, we fall, we get hurt. Many times this leaves Just imagine me, on a trail, seeing
people happy, healthy and outside, but while I’m on this trail, I come upon an elderly gentleman needing medical attention. Luckily, this trail is alongside a roadway giving the EMTs access for a swift response.
I did not imagine until later, what if
we were more distant from that road- way? A very frightening thought that I pray no one will ever experience. I do not want to reveal this man’s name, but I sat with him discovering his desire to be outside with his dog on that wonder- ful, sunny day. He was not prepared and simply became dehydrated.
Some possibilities for future tech- nology I envision would be a replenish- ing water system, recycling rainwater for public use on trails. Another idea, designing trail solar lights along a path with colors indicating either green for go, blue for concerning weather condi- tions, and even red for emergencies. In my notebook, I sketch out my ideas for trail patrol vehicles, compost and recy- cling stations, as well as simple bike repair systems.
GIS technology is rapidly shaping new ways in addressing trail safety giv- and apps to coordinate their response to emergencies based by location markers (ELM). A trail ELM is simply a point registered to emergency response teams resulting in the removal of guesswork. I visualize drones becoming a vital part in rapid response such as snake
Author Josh Adams gathering data on the trail 34 SPRING 2019
AmericanTrails.org
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
