National Trail Surfaces Study

Qualitative and Observational Analysis by Surface Type

The aggregate material listed below contains a size (inch), the label “minus”, and an aggregate type. In the Midwest, the primary aggregate material made available at quarries for distribution is Limestone; therefore, Limestone was the aggregate component used in the aggregate only trail segments. When ordering the aggregate material from the quarry, it is up to the individual placing the order, to decipher which size aggregates, percentage of aggregate, and percentage of fines will be included in the combined shipment of materials. Varieties of aggregate stone sizes were chosen for the trail segments in this study and they included stones that ranged from ¼ inch to ¾ inches.

To understand the “minus” meaning of the aggregate denoted, it is essential to explain the composition of the material as it leaves the quarries. For example for an order for ¾ inch minus limestone aggregate, the “minus” essentially means that the shipment of aggregate will include both stones and fines (small particles resembling dust) that are a maximum size of ¾ inches and smaller. Quarries produce aggregate specification sheets that they make available for each shipment of aggregate. The aggregate specification sheet will contain the sieve size (size of stone that is allowed to pass through the sieve to be included in the shipment) and the percent of that particular size that is included (percent passing). In the example, 100 percent of the stones that are ¾ inches are allowed to pass and will be included. Of the stones that are 3/8 inches, 77 percent of the stones are allowed to pass and will be included. Of the stones that are #4 (smaller than 3/8 inches), 46 percent of the stones are allowed to pass and will be included (so on and so forth). Anything that is identified as #200 is considered dust, so in this example, 11.3 percent is allowed to pass and will be included.

The size of the aggregate distributed is often of critical importance to the way the material performs. Too much of the smaller fines in comparison to the larger fines may contribute to more washout or erosion, whereas not enough smaller fines may lead to lots of loose, larger aggregate pieces that can contribute to a non-firm and non-stable surface.

Appendix D contains photos of the installation of each of the 11 trail segments, in addition to photos that chronicle the effects of time on the surfaces over 51 months.

¼ Inch Minus Limestone

The trail segment is composed of 6 inches of ¼ inch minus limestone and dust and is 5 feet wide by 50 feet long. The segment contains timber edging. The surface was installed in two rolled and compacted 3 inch lifts. The segment maintained itself well in dry temperatures (June – August; 100 degree temps), remaining hard and compacted under foot. Following the first two days of heavy rainfall uncharacteristic for Indiana, the surface was loose under foot and was bogged down with water. Eventually, the surface developed an erosion ditch measuring approximately 16 feet and at a depth of approximately 3 inches. The surface never firmed back up under foot by the end of fall. After extended periods of no moisture and sun, the surface firms back up under foot.

Quarter Inch Minus Limestone was installed in two rolled and compacted 3 inch lifts.  August 9, 2007.

Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment as second lift is rolled and compacted.  August 9, 2007.

Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment maintained itself in dry temperatures.  October 19, 2007.

Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment was loose under foot after heavy rainfall.  March 13, 2008.

Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment developed an erosion ditch.  March 13, 2008.

Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment would only firm up after extended periods of no moisture.  March 17, 2009.

¾ Inch Minus and ¼ Inch Minus Limestone

The trail segment is composed of 4 inches of ¾ inch minus limestone and approximately 50 percent dust as a base; and a 2 inch top‐dressing of ¼ inch minus limestone and dust. This trail segment is 5 feet wide by 50 feet long and contains timber edging. This segment maintained itself well in dry temperatures (June – August; 100 degree temps), remaining hard and compacted under foot. It did then show signs of becoming loose under foot at the first two days of heavy rainfall. The surface stayed soft under foot, enough to see footprints compacted and not return to the surface, but did not show any signs of erosion. The surface appeared to become firm and stable under foot more quickly than the ¼ inch surface; most likely as a result of a base composed of larger fines to allow for more adequate drainage.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Base and Quarter Inch Minus Top Limestone trail segment is composed of 4 inch base; and a 2 inch top-dressing.  August 9, 2007.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Base and Quarter Inch Minus Top Limestone trail segment maintained itself in dry temperatures.  October 19, 2007.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Base and Quarter Inch Minus Top Limestone trail segment after heavy rain.  March 13, 2008.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Base and Quarter Inch Minus Top Limestone trail segment firmed back up more quickly than the ¼ inch surface.  May 6, 2008.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Base and Quarter Inch Minus Top Limestone trail segment showed signs of footprints after heavy rain.  March 17, 2009.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Base and Quarter Inch Minus Top Limestone trail segment after heavy rain.  March 17, 2009.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Base and Quarter Inch Minus Top Limestone trail segment after heavy rain.  March 17, 2009.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Base and Quarter Inch Minus Top Limestone trail segment became firm and stable under foot more quickly than the ¼ inch surface.  November 2, 2011.

¾ Inch Minus Limestone

The trail segment is composed of two three inch lifts of ¾ inch minus limestone and approximately 50 percent dust. This trail segment is 5 feet wide by 200 feet long. The segment contains timber edging. This trail segment maintained itself well in dry temperatures (June – August; 100 degree temps), remaining hard and compacted under foot. After the same two days of uncharacteristically heavy rainfall (as noted in the ¼ inch minus segment), the surface had evidence of water pooling on the surface, as there were lines of pine needles but the surface remained unchanged. It was still firm under foot through the end of the testing in fall. The surface does have a prevalence of the larger fines working their way to the surface, but not affecting the way in which the surface is bound to keep it firm. It would be an item to consider when evaluating the intended use of a trail for those visitors using mobility devices and assistive devices such as crutches and canes.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment is composed of two three inch lifts with 50 percent dust.  August 1, 2007.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment with 50 percent dust has first lift compacted.  August 1, 2007.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Limestone with 50 percent dust after first lift is compacted.  August 1, 2007.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment has second lift installed.  August 3, 2007.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment has second lift compacted.  August 3, 2007.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Limestone with 50 percent dust after two lifts installed and compacted.  August 6, 2007.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment where water pooled after rain.  March 13, 2008.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment where water pooled after rain.  March 13, 2008.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment almost one year after installation. June 12, 2008.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment remained firm under foot.  March 17, 2009.

Three Quarter Inch Minus Limestone trail segment showed prevalence of larger fines working their way to the surface. November 2, 2011.

Klingstone 400

The trail segment is composed of the stabilizer, Klingstone 400 and is 5 feet wide by 104 feet long. The segment contains timber edging. The Klingstone 400 is applied to materials on top of a base, which is composed of 4 inches of ¾ inch minus limestone and dust. The top-dress is 2 inches of ¼ inch washed pea gravel (round river rock) sprayed with Klingstone 400 to seal the pea gravel. Over time, the only noticeable changes to the surface are a fading of the color (which started as an “amber”, has washed out because of sun exposure, and is blending with the surroundings) and a very small amount of loose fines coming to the surface. The surface was installed around a sewage drain and was not broken away from or deteriorated around it.

Klingstone base preparation of ¾ inch minus limestone and dust.  June 13, 2007.

Klingstone base preparation of ¾ inch minus limestone and dust.  June 13, 2007.

Klingstone top dress preparation of ¼ inch washed pea gravel (round river rock).  June 16, 2007.

Klingstone top dress ¼ inch washed pea gravel is prepared.  June 16, 2007.

Klingstone top dress ¼ inch washed pea gravel is leveled.  June 16, 2007.

Klingstone trail segment is prepared for spray application.  June 16, 2007.

Top dress is sprayed with Klingstone 400 to seal the pea gravel.  June 16, 2007.

Klingstone 400 has been sprayed to top surface.  June 16, 2007.

Klingstone 400 spray left to dry.  June 16, 2007.

Klingstone trail surface more than a month after installation.  August 1, 2007.

Klingstone amber color has started to fade.  October 19, 2007.

Klingstone surface almost a year after installation.  May 6, 2008.

Klingstone loose fines coming to surface.  March 17, 2009.

Klingstone almost two years after installation has small amount of loose fines coming to surface.  March 17, 2009.

Klingstone at beginning of trail segment has started to wash out. November 22, 2011.

Klingstone at beginning of trail segment has started to wash out. November 22, 2011.

Klingstone surface has started to recede from timber edging. November 22, 2011.

Polypavement

The trail segment is composed of the stabilizer, Polypavement and is 5 feet wide by 30 feet long. The segment contains timber edging. The Polypavement is applied to a base of compacted native soils and is then mixed into an additional 2 inches of tilled soil. The surface started to show signs of cracking, sinking and softening after the first round of tests when the temperature was still mild and warm (June – August; 100 degree temps). After uncharacteristically heavy rainfall, the surface became the same texture as mud. Upon drying up, the surface remained cracked and was heaving along the full width of the trail. The material just under the surface of the segment, contains cracks and heaving and stayed wet and therefore soft under foot. NCA continued to test the surface to ensure consistency in data collection, despite the initial impression that the Polypavement application was not maintaining itself. It appeared that the top layer of the surface was all that was left of the stabilizer and the remaining surface had returned to its natural soil state. The assumption is that this surface, because of its natural soil base, never got the opportunity to set up properly because it was installed in wetlands where the soil naturally maintains more moisture.

Polypavement is applied to a base of compacted native soils and mixed into an additional 2 inches of tilled soil.  July 3, 2007.

Polypavement is applied to a base of compacted native soils and mixed into an additional 2 inches of tilled soil.  July 3, 2007.

Polypavement trail segment started to show signs of cracking and softening after the first round of tests.  July 6, 2007.

Polypavement trail segment started to show signs of cracking and softening after the first round of tests.  July 6, 2007.

Polypavement trail segment shows cracking.  July 6, 2007.

Polypavement trail segment after heavy rains remained cracked.  August 9, 2007.

Polypavement trail segment with cracks and heaving along width of trail.  October 19, 2007.

Polypavement trail segment would dry with cracks and heaving after heavy rail.  March 13, 2008.

Polypavement trail segment would remain soft underfoot.  March 13, 2008.

Polypavement trail segment shows cracks.  May 6, 2008.

Polypavement trail segment a year after installation shows top layer is all that is left of the stabilizer.  June 12, 2008.

Polypavement trail segment almost two years after installation shows top layer of stabilizer and remaining surface returned to its natural soil base.  March 17, 2009.

Polypavement trail segment may not have set up properly due to the moist soil of the wetlands.  March 17, 2009.

Polypavement trail segment overgrown with vegetation.  November 2, 2011.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In

The trail segment is composed of the stabilizer, Soiltac Liquid Mix-in and is 5 feet wide by 30 feet long. The segment contains timber edging. The Soiltac Liquid Mix-in is applied to a base of 2 inches of native soil. Soiltac Liquid Mix-in is then tilled into 4 inches of ¼ inch minus loose limestone aggregate. The surface is compacted and then sprayed to seal. The stabilizer has a penetration depth of 4 inches. After the first heavy rainfall, the surface seemed to maintain itself well. It was only slightly soft under foot, showing footprint indentations, but seemed to firm back up. There were no noticeable drainage issues for this surface. This segment performed better than its topical application counterpart (see the note in the liquid topical application).

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In is applied to a base of 2 inches of native soil.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In is then tilled into 4 inches of ¼ inch minus loose limestone aggregate. June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In is then tilled into 4 inches of ¼ inch minus loose limestone aggregate.  June 27, 2007.

Photo 58 Soiltac Liquid Mix-In surface is tilled. June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In trail segment is leveled.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In trail segment is prepared.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In trail segment is compacted.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In trail segment is sprayed to seal with a penetration of 4 inches.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In trail segment seemed to maintain itself well.  March 13, 2008.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In trail segment was only slightly soft under foot, showing footprint indentations.  March 13, 2008.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In more than one year after installation seemed to maintain itself.  June 12, 2008.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In almost two years after installation.  March 17, 2009.

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In segment performed better than its topical application counterpart. March 17, 2009

Soiltac Liquid Mix-In performed better than its topical application counterpart. November 2, 2011.

Soiltac Liquid Topical

The trail segment is composed of the stabilizer, Soiltac Liquid Topical, and is 5 feet wide by 30 feet long. The segment contains timber edging. The Soiltac Liquid Topical is applied to a base of 2 inches of native soil. Soiltac Liquid Topical is mixed with water and sprayed onto 4 inches of ¼ inch minus compacted limestone aggregate. The stabilizer has a penetration depth of 1/8 inch. The first noticeable signs of change for this surface came after the first heavy rainfall at the March 2008 testing. The surface showed signs of runoff and became soft under foot (footprints were evident). The surface remained soft under foot through the final testing, but some areas even more so than other areas where the water had pooled and the surface had not firmed back up. Upon the advice of the stabilizer company, topical applications should not be utilized to stabilize trail surfaces, but are to be utilized when dust control and erosion is necessary. It can be applied to mix-in stabilizers during the installation and during maintenance to help achieve a more firm and stable surface.

Soiltac Liquid Topical is applied to a base of 2 inch native soil, mixed with water and sprayed onto 4 inches of ¼ minus compacted limestone aggregate.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Liquid Topical has a penetration depth of 1/8 inch.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Liquid Topical trail segment showed change after a heavy rainfall.  March 13, 2008.

Soiltac Liquid Topical trail segment became soft under foot.  March 13, 2008.

Soiltac Liquid Topical trail segment showed signs of runoff.  March 13, 2008.

Soiltac Liquid Topical trail segment remained soft where water had pooled.  May 6, 2008.

Soiltac Liquid Topical trail segment remained soft where water had pooled.  March 17, 2009.

Soiltac Liquid Topical trail segment showed footprints.  March 17, 2009.

Soiltac Liquid Topical trail segment showed runoff.  March 17, 2009.

Soiltac Liquid Topical trail segment remained soft through the final testing.  November 2, 2011.

Soiltac Liquid Topical trail segment remained soft through the final testing.  November 2, 2011.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In

The trail segment is composed of the stabilizer, Soiltac Powder Mix-in, and is 5 feet wide by 30 feet long. The segment contains timber edging. The Soiltac Powder Mix-in is applied to a base of 2 inches of native soil. Soiltac Powder Mix-in is applied to the surface with a spreader, tilled, smoothed, and then compacted. It is then sprayed to seal the surface. The stabilizer has a penetration depth of 4 inches. This trail segment maintained itself through to the last date of testing, with only minor evidence of the surface softening, but always becoming firm again. There was no constructed drainage mechanisms that would be considered appropriate in the trail construction industry for this surface, therefore the water runoff from the adjacent earth mound flowed directly across this segment. Where there was water flow crossing the segment, the surface was soft under foot but returned to a natural surface state.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In is applied to a base of 2 inches of native soil.  June 27, 2007

Soiltac Powder Mix-In is applied to a base of 2 inches of native soil.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In is tilled into the 2 inch base of native soil.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In has a penetration depth of 4 inches.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In is smoothed and compacted. June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In is sprayed to seal the surface.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In almost a year after installation.  March 13, 2008.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In trail segment maintained its condition a year after installation. March 13, 2008.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In softened surface would become firm again.  May 6, 2008.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In almost two years after installation.  March 17, 2009.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In does not have a constructed drainage mechanism considered appropriate for trail construction.  March 17, 2009.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In showed only minor evidence of softening at the end of the study.  November 2, 2011.

Soiltac Powder Mix-In trail segment with water crossing would soften and then return to natural surface state.  November 2, 2011.

Soiltac Powder Topical

The trail segment is composed of the stabilizer, Soiltac Powder Topical, and is 5 feet wide by 30 feet long. The segment contains timber edging. The Soiltac Powder Topical is applied to a base of 2 inches of native soil. Soiltac Powder Topical is mixed with water and sprayed onto 4 inches of ¼ inch minus compacted limestone aggregate. The stabilizer has a penetration depth of 1/8 inch. As with the other three Soiltac surface applications, the first signs of change for this surface came after the first heavy rainfall at the March 2008 testing. After the rain, the stabilizer formed a solid paper-thin elastic layer on top of the surface. It should be noted that runoff was a problem onto this surface from the adjacent earth mound that was not controlled by constructed drainage. The surface was soft under foot and showed footprints. Like the other Soiltac Topical application, this segment never seemed to firm up. The same guidance is recommended for the Soiltac Powder Topical application as the Soiltac Liquid Topical application. Upon the advice of the stabilizer company, topical applications should not be utilized to stabilize trail surfaces, but are to be utilized when dust control and erosion is necessary. It can be applied to mix-in stabilizers during the installation and during maintenance to help achieve a more firm and stable surface.

Soiltac Powder Topical is applied to a base of 2 inches of native soil and 4 inches of ¼ inch minus compacted limestone aggregate.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Powder Topical is applied to a base of 2 inches of native soil and 4 inches of ¼ inch minus compacted limestone aggregate.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Powder Topical has a penetration of 1/8 inch.  June 27, 2007.

Soiltac Powder Topical has formed a solid paper-thin layer after a heavy rainfall. March 13, 2008.

Soiltac Powder Topical was soft under foot and showed footprints. March 13, 2008.

Soiltac Powder Topical with runoff from adjacent landscape. March 13, 2008.

Soiltac Powder Topical almost a year after installation.  May 6, 2008.

Soiltac Powder Topical one year after installation.  June 12, 2008.

Soiltac Powder Topical almost two years after installation.  March 17, 2009.

Soiltac Powder Topical more than four years after installation. November 2, 2011.

Stabilizer

The trail segment is composed of the stabilizer, Stabilizer, and is 5 feet wide by 50 feet long. The segment contains timber edging. The Stabilizer is applied to a base of 3 inches of compacted native soils. Stabilizer arrives pre-mixed with ¼ inch minus aggregate and is applied at a 3-inch depth on top of the base. The surface maintained itself for the most part through the first round of testing after installation (June – August; 100 degree temps) with the exception of loose fines that appeared on the surface. After the heavy rainfall, the surface had runoff composed of the loose fines from the trail segment. It was not until the testing conducted in March 2008 that the surface showed large signs of deterioration. There were gullies created in the surface because of runoff; these were found both down the middle of the trail segment and along the timber edging. The surface would need maintenance to return it to its original state.

Stabilizer is applied to a base of 3 inches of compacted native soil.  June 19, 2007.

Stabilizer arrives pre-mixed with ¼ inch minus aggregate.  June 19, 2007.

Stabilizer is applied at a 3 inch depth on top of the base.  June 21, 2007.

Stabilizer trail segment is leveled at installation.  June 21, 2007.

Stabilizer trail segment is prepared.  June 21, 2007.

Stabilizer trail segment is prepared. June 21, 2007.

Stabilizer trail segment installation.  July 3, 2007.

Stabilizer surface shows an indentation from the surface testing.  July 6, 2007.

Stabilizer trail segment shows loose fines at top of surface.  July 6, 2007.

Stabilizer trail segment shows loose fines at top of surface.  October 19, 2007.

Stabilizer trail segment shows loose fines at top of surface.  October 19, 2007.

Stabilizer trail segment has runoff from heavy rainfall.  March 13, 2008.

Stabilizer trail segment shows loose fines from heavy rainfall.  March 13, 2008.

Stabilizer trail segment shows indentation from surface testing.  March 13, 2008.

Stabilizer trail segment more than a year after installation.  May 6, 2008.

Stabilizer trail segment almost two years after installation.  March 17, 2009.

Stabilizer trail segment shows gullies created in surface from runoff.  March 17, 2009.

Stabilizer trail segment shows deterioration from runoff along timber edging.  March 17, 2009.

Stabilizer trail segment shows deterioration.  November 2, 2011.

Stabilizer trail segment shows deterioration in middle of the trail.  November 2, 2011.

Stabilizer trail segment shows deterioration along timber edging.  November 2, 2011.

StaLok

The trail segment is composed of the stabilizer, StaLok, and is 5 feet wide by 72 feet long. The segment contains timber edging. The StaLok is applied to a base of 3 inches of compacted native soils. StaLok arrives pre‐mixed with ¼ inch minus aggregate and is applied at a 2-inch depth on top of the base. The surface maintained itself through the first round of testing (June – August; 100 degree temps). During the testing performed in August 2007, it was noted that an individual had walked on the surface at the Wetlands dedication and left marks in the surface of a depth of approximately ½ inch. Upon returning a couple months later, not for testing, it was noted that the surface had repaired itself. The surface also had the pattern of behaving this way when maintenance vehicles rode over it as well. After the heavy rainfall, the only noticeable factor was pooling of the water on the lower points of the surface; StaLok is impervious so it repels the water. The surface remained firm and stable. The other noticeable effects of the surface noted during the March 2008 testing were cracking approximately 6 inches from the timber edging.

StaLok arrives pre-mixed with ¼ inch minus aggregate.  June 21, 2007.

StaLok is applied to a base of 3 inches of compacted native soil.  June 21, 2007.

StaLok is applied at a 2 inch depth on top of the base.  June 21, 2007.

StaLok is applied at a 2 inch depth on top of the base.  June 21, 2007.

StaLok surface is compacted.  June 21, 2007.

95 StaLok surface is compacted.  June 21, 2007.

StaLok trail segment maintained itself through first round of testing.  October 19, 2007.

StaLok trail surface had a pattern of wear and repairing itself.  March 13, 2008.

StaLok trail segment was noted for repairing itself.  March 13, 2008.

StaLok trail segment was noted for showing indentations and then repairing itself.  May 6, 2008.

StaLok trail segment with wheelchair marks would repair itself.  June 12, 2008.

StaLok trail segment with wheelchair marks would repair itself.  June 12, 2008.

StaLok trail segment previously shown with marks had repaired itself.  March 17, 2009.

StaLok trail segment previously shown with marks had repaired itself.  March 17, 2009.

StaLok trail segment shows cracking next to timber edging.  November 2, 2011.

StaLok trail segment had some pooling of water at lower points of the surface.  November 2, 2011.

StaLok trail segment with pooling of water.  November 2, 2011.

StaLok trail segment maintained itself through first round of testing.  October 19, 2007.

Photos were also collected at various points in the 51 months, always at testing and occasionally through the length of the study when major weather and/or events happened. Included in Appendix D are photos of some of the significant changes to the surfaces mentioned above and some additional photos to offer a different glimpse of the surfaces.