Supporting Trail Development with GIS - the Bay Trail Gap Analysis

The Bay Trail - A Planning Atlas
This map is one of scores of pages of maps in an atlas developed by GreenInfo Network for the Bay Trail in the San Francisco region.
Client:   San Francisco Bay Trail

The San Francisco Bay Trail project conducted a gap analysis to assist it in developing strategies to complete high priority sections of its proposed 500+ mile trail system. GreenInfo provided assistance in defining the data structure and online form of a survey, creating a GIS based atlas that was used by respondents to characterize all trail segments, and helping Bay Trail staff develop conclusions.

The Bay Trail organization is attempting to complete a 500+ mile loop around the San Francisco Bay, running along the shoreline and providing hiking, biking and water access. With about half the trail miles dedicated to recreational use, the Bay Trail asked GreenInfo in to help it develop a survey of each jurisdiction along the Bay, to better assess the current state and needs of the trail, in order to focus its priorities. We created an extensive custom atlas, driven by GIS mapping technology, that showed high resolution photos and the potential trail segments - some communities required a number of atlas pages, others just a few. This was all done using automated ArcGIS processing. Communities then responded with details about each segment in an online survey, including estimates of cost and the types of projects needed to complete the trail. GreenInfo worked with Bay Trail staff and other consultants to develop a final report of status and strategies.

Results: The Bay Trail gap analysis was successfully completed and has enabled the organization to focus its resources on the most important projects with the funds it has available. The organization now has a robust geodatabase and metrics against which to define goals and progress.

Focus:   Conservation, Environment  

Services:  GIS Services, Analysis, Data, Maps 

Tags:   atlas, Bay Trail, Esri ArcGIS, Gap Analysis, trails  

“ We are extremely pleased with the final report, the cost estimates, the maps and the powerful geodatabase tool that will assist us with implementing the remaining gaps. We unveiled the Gap Analysis at the full Bay Trail Board meeting yesterday and they were unanimous in their excitement about the usefulness and quality of the information that was collected and represented as part of this project.”

—  Laura Thompson, Bay Trail Project Manager

Project Years: 2005

GreenInfo Network creates, analyzes, visualizes and communicates information in the public interest. We specialize in mapping and related technology for nonprofits and public agencies, focusing on using it for conservation, social equity, public health, environment and foundation grant making.
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