PATC maps/GPSing

[Jim Tomlin]

First, checking to see if this group still exists...and who is on it!

I will be retiring mid-2013 and would like to add some fun to my new free time.  I have been thinking of forming a group called the PATC Rangers, who would have two areas of responsibility to the Club:

1. After storms, Rangers would go out on hikes to survey trail conditions at the request of PATC District Managers.  They would bring GPS handhelds and cameras, and report on blowdowns, erosion, condition of blazing, signage, etc..  This is one thing that PATC DMs have a need for, which is only partially (VERY partially) being met by PATC Trail Patrol, who have a different emphasis.

2. At all other times, Rangers would be involved in GPS data collection for PATC-maintained trails.  My idea is that they would go out in small groups (2-4), each with GPS handhelds, following the standard GPS data collection protocols that we established.  They would use the existing trail section signup sheets so that coverage and time are optimized.

I can perform regular training for any PATC volunteer Rangers for:

a) how to file a PERFECT trail conditions report
b) how to correctly use a GPS unit to collect data

I am hoping to get a group together of at least 10 and hopefully 20-25 individuals.  I would advertise in the PA and the PATC website, and through John Hedrick's monthly email summaries to all members.  They will need to be PATC members so that we have insurance coverage.  I am hoping to get all ages, but a good set of young people who can keep the program going when I grow too old.

As an aside, I will be involved in a C&O Canal NHP project this winter using Trimble Juno GPS/camera units.  These allow for data post-processing, which gives more accurate results.  If these are found to be useful, I may contact a Trimble dealer and see if we can work something out for getting a set of Juno units for the PATC Rangers.  I can help with funding of this.  They are not that expensive and although bigger than a normal handheld, are carry-able.

What do people think of this idea?

Thank you,
Jim Tomlin
PATC Supervisor of Communications lame duck, and
Soon-to-be-retired National Geodetic Survey staff scientist

[Chris]

Hey Jim:

    Finished up class so now I have time to respond.   I think these are great ideas. Maybe a PATC Rangers App so they can take pictures, position and notes with one device there phone.   I have seen some pretty good accuracy with my phones GPS. Think good enough to position trail maintenance areas. Capture the data and upload when they are near wi-fi.

Chris

[Jim Tomlin]

Hi Chris and maps projects group,

PATC elected leadership also liked the idea and gave me a green light.  I got a lot of support from the PATC President.  The only issue will be a perception on the part of Trail Patrol that somehow the data collection group will be usurping (one of) their mission(s) of doing trail reporting, but my response would be (A) are they against having MORE volunteers reporting on trail conditions?, and (B) the Rangers would not have any role in Trail Patrol's primary missions of education of and assistance to hikers.  The Rangers will be surveyors first, and trail reporters second, and those are our only missions for the Club.

I have been talking to one of my friends at NGS, a licensed surveyor, who is willing to help us select the correct equipment to meet the Mapping Committee requirements (he is a young guy and is also interested in doing field work for us).  He strongly suggested that we should first define what it is that we would like to be able to do, and at what level of accuracy, then look for what type of equipment we would need.  Brian, my friend, (I think Brian said Thom as well) and I have all been thinking that we would like to be able to do post-processing of the data in order to get 1-2m accuracy, but that is still a topic for discussion.  If we could settle on this by the end of January, that would be excellent.

I will be reserving a PATC HQ room for one weekend day in February, March, April, and May for a one-day course, repeated three times.  The course will be a half-day on GPS for beginners and the PATC data collection protocols, and a half-day on trail safety and how to collect and submit a perfect trail report.  This will be advertised in the February, March, and April PA and in one of John Hedrick's monthly email messages to all members.  The course will be free to all prospective PATC Rangers.  There will be no prerequisite knowledge; I will gladly take those that eagerly want to learn about GPS (there are a lot of people in that boat).  I am able to do this by myself, but of course I would greatly welcome any participation by those of us who have already been involved.

I am thinking that I would like to make attendance of both segments of the course as a requirement for joining the Rangers, as it will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page, and that PATC liability is covered by the fact that volunteers will have had to attend the safety course.  People that have already been going out for PATC for data collection will only have to attend the safety portion.  Starting in the Fall, I could also set up dates for giving the course to college outdoor groups to get them involved, as I think their participation is extremely helpful to perpetuate the Rangers for the long run.

I am also thinking of setting up a collaborative online tool such as BaseCamp for running communications for the project, and a Facebook page for the Rangers.  There could also be cabin weekends for Rangers to cover one trail area, such as the greatly effective ones that Chris has organized (ExCom is *STILL* talking about how happy the Trails group was when we surveyed the PA Tuscarora after an ice storm, a cabin weekend that Chris organized).

What do others think of all these ideas?  I would need to submit the PA course announcement by the end of this month - I will run it past Brian for modifications before I submit it.

I suspect it will take some significant amount of work on my part to get this up and running - perhaps a couple of years.  But this will be an excellent way to spend my time if it is as helpful to the Club as I foresee that it will be.

Jim T.

[Janis Stone]

Hey Jim et al,

As this effort gets off the ground, you'll also need to coordinate with the web and database people to ensure there is a method of reporting volunteer hours that captures the extent of this effort.  In particular, I think work reporting on trail conditions would likely be rolled up into the time that gets reported to our partners like the National Park Service and state agencies.  Perhaps a separate category of hours reporting could be used for GPS work that supports general PATC mapping efforts.

 - Janis

[Thom Kaye]

I have always envisioned a true centerline trail database GIS collection. With an accurate collection, comprehensive network analysis could be done in regards to route finding. Post processing is definitely compulsory. I am still fulfilling my obligations to the club through my map digitization; however, I could always find time for this endeavor. What we need is someone who can manage this FT. With your impending retirement Jim (jealous), you have my full support.

Thom

[Chris]

Jim:

   It all sounds good. I am excited about getting a steady stream of Trail data coming in.  Interested on every ones thoughts on post processing the data to get 1 - 2 meter accuracy.  I work only 5 miles from the club so can meet any night after work to discuss further.

Chris

[Jim Tomlin]

This is an excellent idea by Janis; I had overlooked the advantages to capture the hours spent.  We certainly do want to collect and report the GPS collection work time as part of the Maps Committee reporting, and the trail reporting time as part of PATC's work on Trails.

Jim T.

On Mon, Dec 17, 2012 at 8:32 AM, Janis Stone <jan...@earthlink.net> wrote: