Scope Tip
A trail corridor identifies the broader area within which the specific trail alignment will be located; it does not establish the alignment itself. Define the expected corridor width or area, required control points, and level of desktop analysis and field investigation.
Scope Item Definition
Identify and evaluate the general corridor within which a trail will ultimately be aligned, considering project goals, intended users and experiences, site conditions, management requirements, and other opportunities and constraints.
When / Where It Applies
Typically completed before detailed field design to establish the general location of a proposed trail or trail system.
Corridor width and the level of investigation may vary based on terrain, land ownership, environmental and permitting requirements, and the flexibility needed for subsequent field design.
Scope Considerations
Depending on the project, define:
Planning area, trail connections, destinations, and project objectives.
Number and approximate width or extent of corridors or alternatives to be evaluated.
Intended trail users, experiences, trail types, and applicable design criteria.
Required desktop analysis, GIS mapping, and field investigation or ground-truthing.
Positive and negative control points, including connections, crossings, constraints, and areas to avoid.
Physical, environmental, regulatory, land ownership, and access considerations.
Criteria for evaluating alternatives and selecting a preferred corridor.
Required landowner, agency, stakeholder, or partner coordination.
Level of cost, constructability, permitting, or implementation analysis.
Required corridor mapping, GIS data, recommendations, and other deliverables.
Owner-Provided Information
The owner should provide available and applicable:
Existing plans, studies, assessments, and previous corridor work.
Mapping, GIS data, surveys, aerial imagery, and property information.
Information on existing trails, infrastructure, access points, destinations, and land uses.
Known control points, constraints, ownership boundaries, easements, and agreements.
Environmental, cultural, regulatory, and permitting information.
Applicable management plans, standards, policies, and design criteria.
Previous stakeholder, agency, or landowner engagement and findings.
Deliverables
Depending on the scope, deliverables may include:
Maps showing proposed corridor locations and widths.
Identification of significant positive and negative control points.
Corridor alternatives, evaluations, and preferred recommendations.
GIS/spatial data for proposed corridors.
Documentation of field investigation completed and areas not field-verified.
Significant considerations or tradeoffs informing corridor selection.
Recommended next steps for field design, technical studies, permitting, and approvals.
Pricing & Payment Considerations
The level of effort and pricing may depend on:
Size, terrain, and complexity of the planning area and approximate trail mileage.
Number of corridor alternatives to be developed and evaluated.
Available owner-provided information versus additional data collection.
GIS analysis, mapping, and field investigation requirements.
Number of site visits or anticipated field days.
Meetings, coordination, and presentations.
Mobilization and travel requirements, including how expenses will be compensated.
Specialized technical studies or services included in the scope.
Pricing may be structured as a lump sum or time and materials with a not-to-exceed amount, depending on how clearly the work can be defined.
Common Scope & Contracting Issues
Using corridor and alignment interchangeably or expecting corridor planning to produce a construction-ready alignment.
Not defining corridor width, alternatives, or required control points.
Unclear expectations for desktop analysis versus field investigation.
Not establishing criteria or a process for selecting a preferred corridor.
Overlooking land ownership, environmental, permitting, or other constraints.
Assuming specialized studies are included without identifying them.
Assuming corridor mileage will equal final constructed trail mileage, which may increase as the alignment responds to terrain and site conditions.