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Accessible Trails

Beneficial Designs works for accessible trails and outdoor recreation, with a goal of universal access through research, design, and education. Peter Axelson founded Beneficial Designs in 1981 and has been an Advisor to American Trails for many years.

Beneficial Designs works for accessible trails

From the Beneficial Designs’ Annual Newsletter, December 2010

photo of man in wheelchair teaching

Mike Passo (left) leading a Universal Trail
Assessment Process workshop

Our powered wheelchair test lab was quite busy this year, and we continue to devote time and resources to wheelchair standards development. The trails and pedestrian access component of Beneficial Designs continues to grow. We are developing new technologies with USDA and FHWA government-funded research and development that will improve the efficiency of conducting assessments of trails and public rights-of-ways.

Current projects include:

UTAP & TrailWare 2.0 Workshops

There are currently 1,050 trail enthusiasts trained to lead assessments using the UTAP. Workshops were recently held in Chattanooga, TN at the National Trails Symposium. Florida continues to lead the way in providing training to their trails personnel and was presented a “Best Trails State In America” award by American Trails in 2009. Trail assessment coordinators are involving various groups to assist in the UTAP process, including Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs, and high school and college students. Beneficial Designs provides the training materials and tools through Pax Press while American Trails coordinates most UTAP training courses. For more information, contact <trails@beneficialdesigns.com> or visit <www.americantrails.org>.

Nevada Recreation Trails

We are finishing our third Nevada Recreational Trails Program project to provide signage in Northern Nevada. The goal is to continue making Trail Access Information (TAI) widely available in Northern Nevada for a variety of trails and trail users. In our current grant, we have assessed 113 miles of trail, creating 13 different maps and over 100 TAI signs in 12 different park areas.

Tahoe Meadows (near Lake Tahoe)

This project improved trail access and opportunities while protecting the natural and archeological resources within and around Tahoe Meadows. In cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe Rim Trail Association, and Nevada State Parks, three new loop trails totaling 3.4 miles have been built or improved, including 1,200 feet of boardwalk along Ophir Creek. Two new stair sets and a new turnpike have also been constructed along with a new bridge over Ophir Creek. New maps, directional signs, and an interpretive sign have also been installed.

photo of sign

accessible trail Information sign

Nevada State Parks

This year we were awarded another Nevada Recreational Trails Program grant to assess all trails in 14 of our Nevada State Parks. Approximately 58 trails totaling 87 miles will be assessed. Full color panel maps and Trail Access Information artwork will be created for these parks.

High Efficiency Trail Assessment Process

This project created the Wheeled Instrumentation Sensor Package (WISP) to collect more accurate, objective information about trails, including shared-use paths, backcountry single- track trails, and cross-country ski trails. Multiple HETAP systems have been purchased by state and city land managers and the National Park Service in Florida, Arizona, Texas, Virginia, and Canada. This system has been commercially available through Beneficial Designs since 2009. HETAP workshops have also been conducted in Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Ontario, Canada to help train personnel on using the HETAP program and the WISP.

Accessible Trail Gate Barrier

This year, the Pedestrian and Motorized Vehicle Trail Traffic Counter was commercialized. The counter is designed to identify and count trail entry and exit by both pedestrians and motorized vehicles. A mechanical trail gate barrier is also available to be used on its own or with the electronic system.

A Standardized Assessment Process of Outdoor Recreation Facilities

This project will create methods for assessing the accessibility of recreation elements used for outdoor recreation, picnic, and camping facilities, such as picnic tables and fire rings.

Surface Accessibility

The Rotational Penetrometer (RP) measures the firmness and stability of trail surfaces, carpet, and other pedestrian routes. The RP is commercially available through Beneficial Designs. It is currently under review as an ASTM standard test method for the measurement of surface firmness and stability.

Public Rights-of-Way Assessment Process to Determine Accessibility

Beneficial Designs is developing an automated Public Rights-of-Way Assessment Process (PROWAP) to systematically measure elements within the pedestrian environment, such as curb ramps and driveway crossings. In phase I, we were able to reduce the time to perform assessments to 20% of the time required to perform assessments manually. We have added technology to measure transition heights to detect tripping hazards. Phase II work has begun to develop an automated commercial system for measuring the sidewalk environment for safety and accessibility.

photo of man sitting on special ski

Peter Axelson, founder of Beneficial Designs, skis competitively

Adaptive Ski Equipment Standards

Peter Axelson is Chair of the RESNA standards committee that developed test methods and specifications for adaptive ski equipment. The standard was published in December 2007 as a RESNA American National Standard. The committee meets each year in December in conjunction with the Ski Spectacular event in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Universal Design Guidelines for Fitness Equipment (UDFE)

In phase I, draft guidelines for the universal design of aerobic and strength training equipment for greater accessibility were developed. We are now in year four of a five-year RERC on Recreational Technology and Exercise Physiology (RecTech) with the University of Illinois at Chicago. We are developing ASTM UDFE Standards with input from the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) in the U.K. This work will provide universal design specifications for the manufacturers of accessible fitness equipment.

Development of Uniform Standards for Cognitive Technologies

We are in year two of a five-year RERC on the Advancement of Cognitive Technologies (ACT) through the University of Colorado. We are working closely with the RERC and cognitive disability groups and individuals in order to develop Universal Design standards for common products used daily such as cell phones and other consumer products. This project will work with projects underway internationally that address website accessibility, including Fluid, AEGIS, and the Raising the Floor initiative.

Wheelchair/AT Standards

[Paralyzed Veterans of America Research Program (PVA) Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)] As Chair of the RESNA Assistive Technology Standards Board (ATSB), Peter Axelson oversees the work of the RESNA Assistive Technology Standards Committees. There are 9 ATS Committees that develop National AT standards for the US, while harmonizing where possible with internal standards such as those developed through ISO. The new RESNA WC- 1:2009 and WC-2:2009 standards were published in September of 2009.

Wheelchair Testing & Design

We continue to provide testing and design services on a consulting basis for the wheelchair industry. Contact mail@beneficialdesigns.com for more information.

Wheelchair Training Guides

The Manual and Powered Wheelchair Selection & Training Guide books provide wheelchair users and therapists with step-by- step instructions for selecting wheelchairs and negotiating various environments. These books are available through PaxPress, a division of Beneficial Designs. For more information contact paxpress@beneficialdesigns.com.

FlexRim

The FlexRim is a compliant handrim that replaces the rigid interface between the wheelchair wheel and the handrim, reducing the gripping force and the impact forces. The FlexRim is manufactured by Spinergy and has been commercially available since September of 2007! For more product information, please contact Spinergy at (303) 823-6299 or visit www.spinergy.com.

PaxBac

The PaxBac is a lightweight back support that provides lumbar/sacral back support on wheelchairs with sling upholstery. It was manufactured by Invacare for a limited time. It will soon be manufactured again by BES Rehabilitation, Ltd. and will be distributed in the U.S. by Bodypoint.

Canoe Seating System

The Universal Design Canoe Seat is finished and is now commercially available! The seat replaces the existing bench seat. It provides adjustable pelvic, back, and lateral supports to improve balance and comfort. For more product information, please contact Chosen Valley Canoe Accessories at (507) 867-3961 or cvca@gear4portaging.com.

HipGrip

The HipGrip is a dynamic spring-loaded pelvic support device for people who have difficulty maintaining pelvic positioning in their wheelchair. The HipGrip allows the user to lean forward and provides variable resistance to assist the user back into an upright position. The HipGrip is manufactured and distributed worldwide by Bodypoint. For more information, contact Bodypoint at (800) 547-5716 or visit www.bodypoint.com.

Special Thanks & Acknowledgments

We would like to thank our past employees Lenna Fagan, Shelby Farney, Joey Gmuender, Antigone Gregory, Rachel Rauber, Sharon Schnorbus, and Jaime Skilling whose work on our projects was invaluable. We are also grateful to our technical consultants, Eric Class, Kent Nelson, and Steve Stockwell for their assistance with all of our trail projects. We are also grateful to our project consultants, Mary Axelson, Don Brockhage, Martin Clemons, Patti Longmuir, Chris Lynskey, and Mike Passo.

American Trails coordinates workshops on both the UTAP and TrailWare. Read more about these courses at www.AmericanTrails.org/nttp/ATworkshops06.html

Beneficial Designs' Annual Newsletter on projects and products for trail accessibility in pdf format:

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Resources and Library:

Accessible Trails

Beneficial Designs works for accessible trails