36 CFR Part 1191 ABA Accessibility Guidelines, Outdoor Developed Areas

Advisory F247.1 General. The Federal Trail Data Standards classify trails by their designed use and managed use. A trail has only one designed use that determines the design, construction, and maintenance parameters for the trail. A trail can have more than one managed use based on a management decision to allow other uses on the trail. Trails that have a designed use for hikers or pedestrians are required to comply with 1017. Trails that have a designed use for other than hikers or pedestrians are not required to comply with 1017.

A trail system may include a series of connecting trails. Only trails that directly connect to a trailhead or another trail that substantially meets the requirements in 1017 are required to comply with 1017.

Advisory F247.2 Existing Trails. Routine or periodic maintenance activities that are performed to return an existing trail to the condition to which the trail was originally designed are not required to comply with 1017.

Advisory F247.3 Trailheads. Trailhead information signs are addressed in F216.13.

Advisory F247.3.2 Outdoor Recreation Access Routes. In alterations to existing trailheads, there are exceptions in 1016.1 that can be used where conditions specified in 1019 apply.

Advisory F247.4 Trail Facilities. Facilities are required to comply with F247.4 regardless of whether the trail complies with 1017. Outdoor recreation access routes are not required at camping facilities, picnic facilities, or viewing areas provided on trails.

Advisory F247.4.4. Routes. Routes that connect trails that do not comply with 1017 to camping facilities, picnic facilities, viewing areas, pit toilets, and accessible elements provided within the facilities are not required to comply with 1017. An exception to F213.1 exempts pit toilets from the requirements for accessible toilet facilities.