Impacts of ATVs and ROVs on 50” Trails

Marienville ATV Trail
Allegheny NF
US Forest Service
Technology and
Development
Updates
Projects
 Designing Sustainable Off-Highway Vehicle Trails
 An Alaska Trail Manager’s Perspective
 Sign Guide
 Focus-MINIMUM amount of signs
 SLOW-Use in conjunction with hazard sign
 Implementation-Need help from States/phase in
 Training for trail administrators/users
 DRAFT available to IASA
Rocky Gap ATV Trail
 Fatal Flaws to USFS Director of Recreation
Allegheny NF
 Final expected to be issued end of 2014
 RIDE ON Designated Routeshttp://treadlightly.org/programs/ride-on/
 Evolving campaign with Tread Lightly
 Utah and Wyoming so far
 Co-branded with Respected Access Is Open Access
Campaign in an effort to reach hunters that use ATV/ROV
Buffalo Mtn ATV Trail
Cherokee NF
ROVs and ATVs on 50”
Trails
A Proposed Case Study
Robert Wetherell
US Forest Service National Technology and Development
Buffalo Mtn ATV Trail
Cherokee NF
Project Statement
 ROVs and ATVs – Comparison of Safety, Performance
Capabilities and Environmental Effects (Report).
 Investigate differences between styles of <50” machines (<50”
straddled ATV with handlebars and <50” ROV with non-straddle
seat and steering wheel)
 Investigate terrain limitations, trail design needs, safety
differences and each machine’s environmental effects on trail
systems
 Investigate needs associated with converting <50” trails to >50”
trails to accommodate larger ROVs due to the growth in
availability and popularity
Marienville ATV Trail
Allegheny NF
Considerations
 Conversion of <50” trails to >50” trails
 Increase in the number of >50” ROVs/decrease in ATVs
 Rutting on road/trail surfaces
 What is the industry target?
 Machine
 User demographic
 What is the Agency target?
 Experience
 Are we changing other users experiences?
Brown Mtn ATV Trail
Pisgah NF
What is your input?
Questions
Robert Wetherell
USFS National Technology and Development
406.329.3935
rwetherell@fs.fed.us
Marienville ATV Trail
Allegheny NF