solutions for common trail problems · rubber matting can be prone to developing a slippery surface...

SOLUTIONS FOR COMMON TRAIL PROBLEMS

SOLVING SLICK BRIDGES

PLUS

TRAIL HARDENING AND SUSTAINMENT USING GEO-SYNTHETICS

Becky Kalagher President Bay State Trail Riders

Bob Hatch Hubbardston Open Space Committee

Logistics – Intros and Timetable

Intro

Becky

Bob

Timetable and Format

1. 1 hour 15minutes

2. Present Material – 1 hour max

Slick Bridge – 20 - 25 minute

Geosynthetics – 30-35

3. Q&A – at least 15 minutes at End

4. Becky and I will be avail after for residual questions

Rev 11/2/20192Mass Trails Conference 11/2/2019

Overview

A two-part discussion:Part 1 Learn about Bridge and Boardwalk Safety:

The safety issues that slick bridges and boardwalks pose for

walkers, hikers, bikers, and equestrians.

How testing and innovation led to a unique, easily implemented, and

cost effective solution.

Part 2 Trail Hardening and Sustainment using Geo-Synthetics

Trail issues that lead to usability and sustainment problems for

walkers, hikers, bikers, equestrians, and land stewards.

A summary of different types of geo-synthetics to address specific trail

issues.

Topics covered will include options, cost, environmental concerns,

installation and more


Solving Slick Bridges

How testing and innovation led to a

unique, easily implemented, and

cost effective solution


Slick Bridges

The Problem

Many new (and old) bridges are built with Pressure Treated lumber

Durable and great for minimizing rotted wood

The Problem

Wood decks and ramps can become hazardous from water, algae or

leaves in shady or damp conditions. This combination can be lethal.

Rocky Bottom

“Nast below” Bridge span not high – but below are dangerous rocks

Rev 11/2/2019Mass Trails Conference 11/2/2019 5

Slick Bridges - The Danger Is Real!!

Algae coated bridges become

VERY SLIPPERY (AKA – LIKE GREASE)

Dangerous for walkers, bikers, and LETHAL FOR

EQUINES / RIDERS

3 years ago rider had to be life flighted after going over

the edge and horse landed on her. This was a boardwalk

right on the ground with no height involved.

Railings are also very important – but a rider can still

be crushed.


Solutions tried with marginal / poor results

Rolled asphalt roofing – won’t last

Textured Paint

Good indoors – not for forest bridges

Rubber matting

Can be prone to developing a slippery surface

Rubber ring mats - Works quite well – but

Must be fastened well or horses will kick up

Very heavy to carry into remote bridges

Expensive

Sand – doesn’t last


Solutions that WE have tested

and how they worked Rubber ring mats - Works quite well – but

Must be fastened well or horses will kick up

Very heavy to carry into remote bridges

Expensive – over $5 sq ft incl shipping and tax

Blackwood Lumber

Works well

Expensive

Heavy – not good for remote sights

Surface could become slippery over time (Only a bit over a year on our test bridge)

Anti-slip strips

Works well (we actually had a horse shoe to see how it would “line” up with the strips)

Expensive

Light weight

Geo-synthetic non-woven fabric plus pea stone

Works extremely well

Least expensive by a factor of more than 10!!

Very light

Aesthetically - looks like an extension of the trail


Blackwood Lumber

What is it?

Blackwood is a PT wooden lumber product (2x6; 2x8) with rubber

infused to the top of each board. Blackwood Pro has rubber layer that

covers the entire top surface of each board.

Installation – moderately easy. Fasten down with heavy duty screws

like GRK RSS 3-1/2”

Heavy – a challenge to get to a remote sight

Cost – Expensive - ~$10/sq ft

~ $1,000 for a 5x20 bridge

Dealers – mostly truck / trailer dealers

http://www.blackwoodlumber.com/


Anti-slip FRP Strips

What is it?

FRP (fiberglass re-enforced plastic impregnated with

sand)

Decking Strips create instant non slip safety for wet and

slippery wood decking.

Two standard sizes: 47" x 2" & 47" x 3-1/2“ – can be cut

Installation – moderately easy. Fasten down with screws

LOTS of them but relatively easy to transport

Easy to take off if bridge needs re-decking to reuse

Cost – Expensive - ~$8.10/sq ft

~ Bridge in the picture cost $931.50. 23 feet long.

Dealers and info

watcofloors.com/



First the fabric What is a Geo-synthetic non-woven fabric?

A non-woven fabric matting sold in large rolls mostly for construction purposes

Many weights 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz etc

Typical description of a 16 oz (heavy duty) product

“GT-116 is a needle-punched nonwoven geotextile made of 100% polypropylene fibers formed into a random network for dimensional stability. Resists ultraviolet deterioration, rotting, biological degradation”

GT-116 is like a carpet that is ~1/4” thick

Very porous – by design

Comes in 15’ x 150’ or 300’ rolls depending on weight

Uses

Soil separation barriers – e.g. cow carpet

Major application is on large highway and construction projects for soil stabilization

Extremely durable and stable

Cost

~$500 / roll; ~25 cents a sq ft



Combine the Fabric and the pea stone First what are ultimate goals

1. Ideally a permanently gritty surface

2. Low cost

3. Easily installed

4. Low maintenance

5. Easily transported to remote locations

6. Environmentally friendly

7. Aesthetically pleasing

Pea stone and fabric combo

Small stone embeds into the fabric to essentially create VERY coarse “sandpaper”

HDPE fabric is very porous – by design – no water / ice build up


Geo-synthetic non-woven fabric plus pea stone. Installation Steps

4. Finished product

Rev 11/2/201913

1. Laying the fabricLeave 2” extra in width 2. Install retaining

battens 3. Put downpea stone

Highlights:

• All materials brought in by hand easily

• Extremely simple installation

• Spread thin layer of pea stone ~ 3/8”

• Total installation < 2 hours for 2 people

Mass Trails Conference 11/2/2019

Same Bridge 2 Years Later

11/30/19


Bridge now been crossed by

Hundreds of horses

Hundreds of bikers

Many hundreds of walkers

Highlights

Wet Leaves no issue – never slippery

Water drains right through

Aesthetically pleasing – looks like extension of

trail

No maintenance in 2 years

Very thin layer of pea stone is bestCloth deliberately exposed

Geo-synthetic Bridge / Boardwalk Summary

Total cost of materials for 4’ x 25’ bridge < $40

Fabric – ~$25

100 sq ft at $0.25

Weight <10 lbs

Peastone ~ $4.00

~200 lbs @ $18/ton

Battens and screws ~ $3.00

GRK screws - ~ $2.00

Easily removed if necessary

Battens ~$1

1x6x10’ cut into 1-1/4 strips

Weight < 10 lbs

Total weight of materials < 250 lbs

Installation time ~ 2 hrs for 2 people


Bridge / Boardwalk Summary / Comparison~25’ x 4’ bridge

Geotextile Fabric &

Pea stone

Cost < $40

Weight < 250 lbs

aka remote site feasibility easy

Installation < 2 hrs

Maintenance - ~0

Life - ~ 40 years

Aesthetics - ++ gravel appearance

Blackwood Lumber

Cost ~ $1,000

Weight ~ 576 lbs Not

easy for remote sites

Installation ~ 7 hrs

Maintenance - ?

Life - ?

Aesthetics - +

Rev 11/2/201916

Anti-slip Strips

Cost ~ $1,000

Weight ~ 40 lbs

Installation ~ 4 hrs

Maintenance - 0

Life - ?

Organics could reduce performance significantly

Aesthetics - +


Case Studies / Contact Info

Blackwood Lumber

Douglas State Forest – Saddle Trail

Contact – see blackwoodlumber.com

Anit-Slip Strips

Upton State Forest – Rabbit Run Trail right off of Southboro Road

Contact – see watcofloors.com

Geotextile Fabric

Hubbardston State Forest – Link Trail

Just off New Templeton Rd, Hubbardston MA

Brooks Woodland Preserve (a Trustees property)

Off Quaker Drive, Petersham MA

Various

ask for SKAPS GT-160 non-woven fabric

US Construction Fabrics Windham NH {GT-116}

EJPrescott distributor – several locations

Usfabricinc.com


Part 2

Trail Hardening and Sustainment using Geo-

SyntheticsTrail issues that lead to usability and sustainment problems for walkers, hikers, bikers, equestrians, and land stewards.

A summary of different types of geo-synthetics to address specific trail issues.

Topics covered will include options, cost, environmental concerns, installation and more

Goals:

1. General introduction to the topic of Geo-synthetics as it relates to trail applications

2. Provide specific resource information for others to continue exploration and experimentation

3. Provide specific application information for one of the Geosynthetic


Part 2 Agenda and ApproachWow! How to Address War and Peace in 30 minutes

??1. Brief intro into Geo-synthetics

2. Approach to disseminating information

3. Approach to characterization and application - Spectrums

4. Highlights of products with pictures and typical application

5. Case Study Using one Product – Triax

6. Terminology

7. Bibliography


Brief Intro in Geo-synthetics

Wikapedia definition

Geosynthetics are synthetic products used to stabilize terrain. They are

generally polymeric products used to solve civil engineering problems. This

includes eight main product categories: geotextiles, geogrids, geonets,

geomembranes, geosynthetic clay liners, geofoam, geocells and

geocomposites.

Function

Separation, reinforcement, drainage


Terminology

Soil separation barrier

Fabric – yes

Triax - ?? Actually yes

Lateral integrity

Vertical integrity

Inherited integrity

Porous Pavers

Porosity

Stone infill terms

Faceted

fines

Snowshoe Effectthese products all rely on this principle


Attempt at Capturing Multi Products

Against Many Considerations


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1 Non-woven fabric 1 1 3 2 1 1 3 3 1 3 4 2 4 4 4 2 1 4 3

2 Geo-grids (e.g. Triax) 3 1 4 4 3 2 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 1 4 4

3 Geo-mesh (Terratame2) 4 2 4 4 4 3 4 3 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 1 2 3

4 Scour Mat (geo-runner) 4 3 3 2 4 3 4 4 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 3

5 Geo-cell / geo-web 1 2 4 2 1 3 4 4 4 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 3 3

6 Geo-Block (grass) 4 4 4 2 4 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2

7 Geo-Pave (gravel) 4 4 4 3 2 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2

8 grasspave2 3 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 1 2 2 3 2 3 4 3 1 2 2

9 gravelpave2 3 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 1 2 2 3 2 3 4 3 1 2 2

10 geo-terra 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1

11 geo-runner 4 3 3 2 4 3 4 4 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 3

1

2

3

4

Specail note - these can be placed

on top of dense vegitation!

Great for temp bridge repair

Big benefit for trail app's -

these are the only pavers that

they come in rolls!

Good, low cost, etc

Very good, excellent, very low cost, etc

Comments

Great for temp bridge repair

Good for large accessible projects

Misc Factors Cost Factors

Fair, quite costly, etc

Very poor, not good, very expensive etc

Strenght Factors Soil Stabilization Traffic Factors

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Mental Adjustments

Must learn to think about cost per Linear foot

Cost are typically given in sq ft

Simply multiply $$ / sq ft times the width of the trail

Things get EXPENSIVE really fast

A 100’ section of 5’ wide trail using a $4/sq ft product will cost $2,000 !!

Typically you can simply multiply your $/sqft times the width you want to get a

good estimate

Wet Trail Work Timing

Analyze and develop plan under worse condisions

Implement under best conditions – see our case study


A Little History plus Helpful Documents

Geosynthetics for Trails in Wet Areas 2000 and 2008

US Forest Service – USDA in conjunction with the Rec. Trails Program of the FHA

This is a GREAT topic and worth continued update – nothing in works

MassAudubon_APTGuidelines 2016

Pg 9 “just started experimenting with grasspave2”

Simply shows where “state of the art” is relative to geosynthetcs

Pg 10 – Grades for “All Persons”

Very helpful to our OSC in understanding pitches for all persons trails

Lots of literature from companies and websites

PrestoGeo - www. prestogeo.com/

Lots of trail info and case studies

Permeable Recreational Trails

Invisible Structures http://invisiblestructures.com

Typar typargeosynthetics.com


Geo-synthetics for Trail Applications

Categories by Application

Soil Stabilization

Geo-cells – eg. Geo Web

Geo-grids – e.g. Triax

Geo-mesh – heavy duty ground reinforcement mesh

E.g. GrassProtecta; Terratame2

Geo-textiles – e.g. non woven and woven fabrics

Scour protection mats – e.g. geo-runner

Porous Pavers - lots

GeoBlock – grass; GeoPave – gravel

Grasspave2; gravelpave2

Construction Mats

E.g. geoterra - simply super heavy duty pavers

E.g. georunner (same as listed above – different application


Soil Stabilization Product

General “Typical” Characteristics

Vertical integrity – low

Inherited Vertical integrity – high

In the “lower cost” range

Lighter weight

Many suitable for remote sites


Key Products – Soil Stabilization 1.

Geo Web Cellular Confinement

NOT A FAVORITE FOR FOREST TRAILS

WHAT IS IN PIX?

Lots of people and equipment

Front end loader to drop material not shown!!

Easy access

Excavated ground

First a fabric is put down

Cells stretched and pinned; cable running through it

Need a plank to work on it

BUT has had great success on big, well funded

projects

Cost is good for big project $1 to $3 per sq ft



Geo-grids – e.g. Triax

FAVORITE – More later – case study

LOTs of Geo grids out there

Love Triax

Light – Good for remote sights

VERY AFFORDABLE – $0.20 TO $0.70 PER sq ft

No ground disruption

Soil separation and Snowshoe and Geometry make it work

Tremendous “Inherited Vertical Integrity” – more later

Easy to install

Much more in our case study example

Utube

Sand Box Testhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9EYP9GIe2k

Tennis ball / triangle / pyramidhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra4B5Tx4QCk



Geo-mesh – heavy duty reinforcement mesh

E.g. GrassProtecta; Terratame2

Very good for grassy areas


Moderately expensive - $2.30 to $3.00 per sq ft


Snowshoe and embedded in grass make it work

Easy to install

Cars can drive on it

Can be walked on immediately

Nice form factors

Great potential for scour protection with a layer of small stone on it



Geo-textiles – e.g. non woven and woven fabrics

E.g. Cow Carpet

Features

Best used as soil separation barrier

Snowshoe – some

Must be used in wide width


Very affordable $0.20 to $0.50 per sq ft


Lots of stone on top

Easy to install

Used on farms for a long time


Key Products – Soil Stabilization 5

Scour protection mats

E.g. Geo-runner

Features

Could use in VERY mucky areas where essentially span

capability is needed

Very good lateral and vertical strength

Good form factor 2’ x 4’ x ½” thick and can be

interlocked

Quite expensive $2.50 to $3.00 per sq ft

Minimal stone on top

Easy to install


Key Products – Porous Pavers

Porous Pavers – lots of them!!

GeoBlock – grass; GeoPave – gravel

Grasspave2; gravelpave2

Features

Used mainly on relatively flat trails

E.g. driveways

Significant base prep

All have structured cells to hold stone / gravel

Very good lateral and vertical integrity

Form factor - Most have modular interlocking scheme

Exception is Grasspave2 and Gravelpave2 – rolls!!!

Quite expensive $2.50 to $4.00 per sq ft

Cells filled with stone

Easy to install

Rev 11/2/201932

Gravelpave2

66” x 66’ rolls

Geo-block

Many versions

~ 18”x18” blocks


Key Products – Construction Mats

Rugged panels – use your immagination

E.g. geoterra - simply super heavy duty pavers

E.g. georunner (same as listed above – different application)

Features

Geoterra

Crossed the Alaskan tundra with NOTHING as a base!!

Excavators can drive on it!!

Trail Application – probably as a bridge in a remote area

Significant span capability

Outstanding form factor and ease of interconnecting!

EXPENSIVE - ~ $7-$8 per sq ft.

But could make a cheap bridge

Geo-runner

Temporary bridge repair – our story

AffordabvleRev 11/2/201933Mass Trails Conference 11/2/2019

Case Study 1 Triax

Soil Stabilization - A Driveway

Pictures are worth a 1000 words

The following pictures and videos show why we moved forward with a “Multi-Access” trail project on one of our town owned lands

Lead-in comments on project

6” to 8” deep spring mud

Smoothed as best we could

Laid out Triax

Immediately deposited FACETED stone

Drove on immediately and was AMAZED at what happene

Key points

Stone ~3” thick

A 10,000 tractor does not sink at all!!!

Demonstrates ease of cutting and need to overlap at curves

Did 15’ x 200’ of driveway in about 2 hours

Total cost for 3000 sq ft ~ $800; ~30 cents a sq ft

Does not show top coat os ½” stone - IMPORTANT

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9BNjQDZakN33J2Tq8


https://photos.app.goo.gl/9BNjQDZakN33J2Tq8

The Problem

6” to 8” deep mud


First Step Smooth as best you can

Not much


Lay out the Triax

Note – stop at bend


Laying the 1- ½” Stone


Critical Picture

Faceted 1-1/2” Stone “Embedding” in Grid


Faceted Stones

embedding into Each other


10,000 # tractor

Not Sinking into material at all!!!


Cutting is Extremely Easy!


Case Study 2 TriaxSoil Stabilization – Multi Access Trail at Malone Rd


Open Space Committee Goal

Create a trail on one our few relative

flat areas for all to enjoy

Seasonal / rainy day Wet trail challenges

in a few spots

The following pictures show how we

moved forward with the “Multi-Access”

trail

The Challenge


Key points

1. VERY mucky conditions

caused by seasonal

conditions

2. Low flow

Using a Geo-synthetic Drainage Product

J-Drain


A channel dug first

Then a base layer of stone

Lay in the J-Drain

Cover with stone – not shown

Laying the Triax


Triax is laid right on

mucky conditions

- Little to no prep

Triax is cut to accommodate obstructions


To Address Occasional

stumps or large rocks

- Openings in the Triax

are cut to minimize soil

disruptions

Initial deposit of 1-1/2” Stone


As in the driveway project, 1-

1/2” stone is dropped and spread

on the Triax

As this a hiker, biker, equestrian

trail – only about 2” of stone was

used.

Another key point – we did this in

wet conditions and access was

“challenging” – should have done

later in the year!!

Adding the ½” Top Coat


A thin (<1/2”) top coat of

½” crushed stone is added.

• Makes for a much nicer

walking and riding

surface

• Still maintains porosity

for drainage

Finished surface 6 months later


The ½” stone nicely

embed in the lager

stone.

Finished trail 6 months later

just after torrential rain


More work to do


We want this to be a usable

trail all year.

Phase one – the worst part is

done!

Next will be stabilizing grassy

areas

Probably terratame2 mesh

A very beautiful usable trail for All!


Environmental Points

First and foremost

Work with your ConComs when dealing with wet areas

Relative to Geo-synthetic solutions

1. The core product in all these is HDPE. Hi Density Polyethylene. One of the

safest products used in the world today.

1. Almost all drinking containers are made from HDPE

2. Water supply lines are now made from HDPE

3. PEX – plumbing used in most houses today is made from HDPE

2. Many of thee Geo-synthetic solutions are least intrusive on existing ground

conditions and have very little soil compaction

3. There are many case studies on sites like geo-presto where Geo-synthetic

solutions have been chosen to solve trail issues in highly environmentally

sensitive locations – aka lots of study before implementing

https://www.prestogeo.com/applications/recreational-trails/


Putting Trail Work In Perspective

Rev 11/2/201955

Cover for the first edition

of USDA Geosynthetics

Publication

Using Highland Ponies to

transport materials to remote

trails in Hubbardston 2016.

Notice almost identical

panniers.

Geosynthetic solutions require far less

heavy materials. Making use of pack

horses a viable solution


Summary

Geosynthetics have GREAT promise

Practical solutions here now

Starting to get major recognition and application

The limitations are mostly in using imagination

Applicability to remote locations is especially promising

because of light weight


The End

Thank You