Paths, trails and tracks

Equal access

Accessibility and embellishment offsets

Embellishments must be designed in accordance with AS 1428 Design for access and mobility.

All paths/trails/tracks (PTT) should be designed to be accessible for a wide range of user abilities. Equal access should be considered for people who use wheelchairs, parents with strollers, persons on crutches, persons using guidance animals, long cane users, older people and children.   

• Existing gradients will play a major part in determining design outcomes.  
• Selection of surface materials will depend upon specific target user group requirements.  Horses and mountain bike riders generally favour unsealed surfaces, while walkers, people who use wheelchairs and cyclists generally favour sealed surfaces. Tactile ground surface indicators assist people with vision impairment and people who are blind.

The aim of the relevant Standards and Guidelines is to have all attributes of the path/trail consistent with the expectation of the user, and to provide a safe recreational environment.

• If one section of the PTT is accessible for people who use wheelchairs, then that section should be signed accordingly at the head of the path/trail as ‘equal access’ (use the international symbol of access (ISA).
• The remainder of the PTT should information such as ‘includes steep sections’, ‘requires a higher fitness/mobility level’ or ‘of a higher degree of difficulty’.
• A PTT could be signed ‘equal access’ (include distance/time signage with a rest seat at turn-around point), ‘moderate level of fitness required’ (include distance/time) or ‘high level of fitness required’ (include distance/time).
• Consider that fitness levels are subjective according to an individual’s experience and will vary widely along with abilities.
• Avoid finished height difference between a concrete slab and adjoining surfaces to prevent trip hazards and to prevent ‘tramlining’ of pram, bicycle and wheelchair wheels.
• Signage can be a useful tool to provide a preview of the expected path/trail conditions which will enable individuals to make an informed decision based upon their personal level of mobility.
• Consult with a wide range of potential path/trail user groups to determine the required minimum level of the facility.
• Some paths PTT might be usable by people who use wheelchairs, others may be unsuitable for this group but usable by people with other disabilities such as (but not limited to):
  • non-ambulant disabilities.
  • upper limb amputees where climbing is not involved.
  • blind or vision impaired people.
  • people with hearing loss.
  • people with learning or cognitive disabilities.
• Consider provision for the potential use of new innovations such as a ‘trail rider’ (or equivalent), a single wheeled mobility transport supporter. It has handles at the front and back that two trail runner “sherpas” hold onto while they guide the rider along trails/tracks. One wheel is positioned underneath the rider to support their weight. The device turns into corners similar to a motor bike.

Visual/sensory wayfinding

• Consider the selected PTT surface material colour within the path/trail unique surroundings. 
• Select a surface material colour which complements the surroundings and highlights the location of the PTT for persons with vision impairment.
• Consider products such as pebbles which have ‘glow in the dark’ properties similar to COREglow (or equivalent). This type of product (or similar) could help to highlight or delineate the edges of a path at a high level regional facility, or where there is a need for enhanced amenity, or as an edge treatment to highlight path extents for people with vision impairment.