Trail Corridor Planning
Scope Tip
A trail corridor identifies the broader area within which a trail may be located—not the final trail alignment. Clearly define the expected corridor width or area, required control points, and whether the corridor will be based on desktop analysis, field investigation, or both.
Scope Item Definition
Identify and evaluate the general corridor within which a trail will ultimately be aligned. Trail corridor planning uses project goals, desired user experience, site conditions, management requirements, control points, and other project considerations to determine where the trail should be located before detailed field design and alignment.
When / Where It Applies
Trail corridor planning is an early step in the planning and design of a trail or trail system. It establishes the general location and corridor width within which the trail may ultimately be aligned, based on project goals, desired user experience, site conditions, management requirements, and other project considerations.
Corridor widths vary by project and may be influenced by land manager requirements, environmental review or permitting needs, available land, terrain, resources, and the level of flexibility needed for subsequent field design. A corridor may be 100 feet wide, 50 feet wide, or considerably narrower depending on these factors.
Trail corridor planning occurs before detailed field design, when the specific trail alignment is identified within the selected or approved corridor.
Scope Considerations
Depending on the project, the scope should consider and clearly define:
Corridor width: Establish an appropriate planning corridor width based on site conditions, land manager requirements, permitting or environmental review needs, available land, and the level of flexibility needed for subsequent trail alignment and field design.
Project goals and design criteria: Apply the project purpose and need, intended trail users, desired trail experience, trail specifications, management objectives, and other established criteria to corridor planning.
Existing information: Review available mapping, GIS/spatial data, land management plans, previous studies, existing trail systems, access points, destinations, land ownership, and known natural and cultural resource information.
Field investigation / ground-truthing: Clearly define the level of field investigation required. Corridor planning may be based on desktop/GIS analysis, field investigation, or a combination of both. If the owner expects proposed corridors to be ground-truthed or field-verified, this should be explicitly required in the scope.
Control points: Identify and evaluate positive and negative control points that influence corridor location, including desired destinations and connections, terrain, slope, soils, geology, hydrology, natural and cultural resources, property boundaries, access, existing infrastructure, adjacent land uses, and management requirements.
Connectivity and system planning: Consider connections to destinations, existing and proposed trails, access points, communities, and other facilities, as applicable.
Corridor identification: Identify the general trail corridor or potential corridor alternatives based on project goals, design criteria, identified control points, site conditions, and desired trail experience.
Field investigation: Conduct site reconnaissance or ground-truthing, when required, to evaluate potential corridors and verify available information.
Corridor evaluation and selection: When multiple corridors are considered, evaluate alternatives using defined project criteria and identify a preferred corridor, if required.
Next steps: Identify additional field design, studies, stakeholder engagement, permitting, compliance, or other work needed before the specific trail alignment is established.
Owner-Provided Information
The owner should provide the following, if available and applicable:
Project purpose, need, goals, and desired outcomes.
Defined project or planning area.
Intended trail users and desired trail experience.
Trail specifications or design criteria already established.
Applicable land and resource management plans, policies, and requirements.
Existing trail and transportation system information.
Available GIS/spatial data, mapping, and aerial imagery.
Property, jurisdictional, and management boundaries.
Known access points, destinations, connections, and control points.
Existing natural and cultural resource information.
Previous feasibility, planning, or stakeholder engagement findings.
Known permitting, environmental review, or approval requirements.
Deliverables
Depending on the scope, deliverables may include:
Trail corridor map(s) showing the location and width of the proposed corridor(s).
Identification of significant positive and negative control points.
Alternative corridor maps and evaluation, when applicable.
Recommended or preferred trail corridor(s).
GIS/spatial data for identified corridors.
Documentation of the level of field investigation completed and identification of proposed corridors or plan elements that have not been field-verified.
Documentation of significant considerations or tradeoffs that informed corridor selection.
Recommended next steps for field design, additional studies, permitting, environmental review, or approvals.
Pricing & Payment Considerations
The solicitation should clearly define the anticipated level of effort and pricing considerations, including:
Size and complexity of the project area.
Approximate trail mileage or extent of the proposed trail system.
Number of corridors or alternatives to be developed and evaluated.
Information and GIS/spatial data provided by the owner versus information the contractor is expected to obtain or develop.
Expected GIS/spatial analysis and mapping.
Number of site visits or anticipated field days.
Level of field reconnaissance or ground-truthing required.
Mobilization and travel requirements, including whether travel time and expenses should be included in the proposed price or reimbursed separately.
Meetings, presentations, and coordination requirements.
Whether specialized resource or technical studies are included or will be provided separately.
Pricing may be structured as a lump sum or time and materials with a not-to-exceed amount, depending on how clearly the required level of effort can be defined.
Common Scope & Contracting Issues
Not clearly defining the expected corridor width or who is responsible for determining it.
Using corridor and alignment interchangeably without defining the expected level of design.
Expecting corridor planning to establish a construction-ready trail alignment.
Not identifying known positive and negative control points or who is responsible for identifying them.
Not defining the number of corridor alternatives to be developed or evaluated.
Not distinguishing between desktop/GIS analysis and required field investigation.
Not defining the criteria or process for selecting a preferred corridor when alternatives are being considered.
Not accounting for land manager, permitting, or environmental review requirements that may affect corridor location or width.
Assuming environmental, cultural, engineering, or other specialized technical studies are included without specifically identifying them.