Volunteer Information
Thank you for volunteering to collect GPS data in Tucson Mountain Park. Your participation in this study will help ensure a quality outdoor experience for yourself and other trail users.
Background Information
The project's goal is to model recreational trail user behavior and travel patterns within Tucson Mountain Park. To do this, data on where users travel in the park is required. GPS receivers are able to record track logs (bread crumb trails) of where trail users travel. Once this data is collected (a small sample of all trips taken), it will be compiled and analyzed.
The resulting model will be used to visualize where current use is taking place. It will also serve as a planning tool for Pima County Parks and Recreation--from planning new trails and trailheads to determining impact and potential user conflict. Many land managers do not know where use is occurring in their parks. They are therefore unable to make appropriate management decisions. Obtaining and analyzing the data from this study will help ensure that informed decisions are made.
Downloading Tracks from GPS devices
NOTE: The loaned GPS devices have rechargeable batteries in them. Please return them with the unit.
If you have a Windows PC with 95/98/ME/2000/XP, you can use the free version of TopoFusion to interface with your GPS unit. To obtain TopoFusion, go to: http://www.topofusion.com/download.php
Using TopoFusion (see http://www.topofusion.com/manual.php for help using the program) a .GPX file will be created for each track that you download. These .GPX files are what we would like submitted. They can be emailed directly to smorris@topofusion.com
If you are not interested in viewing/mapping your data, you can simply return the GPS unit with the data and we will download it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which trails do you want GPS'd?
All trails. We are asking people to travel on whatever trails they would normally travel on. The idea is to get an idea of where people typically go, and what decisions they make out on the trail. So no specific trails are necessary. Try to forget you even have the GPS with you!
2. Do I need to do anything out on the trail, like stop to take readings?
No, all that is required is to power the unit up when you begin your trip, ensure that track log recording is turned on, and then power the unit down when you are finished. The GPS will automatically take readings as you travel.
3. What about privacy?
All data submissions are considered anonymous. Once a track log has been submitted it will not be associated with the person who collected the data.
4. What about "illegal" trails?
Due to the lack of signage it is hard to tell what is legal and what isn't at TMP. We certainly won't be using tracks for any kind of enforcement--the submissions are anonymous. In fact, if there are social trails out there that Pima Co. does not know about, it will be better for them to be represented in the study. This way they might become an official part of the park--if it can be shown that people are using them. Again, try to forget that you even have the GPS with you!
For more information see: http://www.topofusion.com/starrproject.php Email: smorris@topofusion.com