TRAILSIGNER: A conceptual model of hiking trail networks with consistent signage planning and management

Abstract

Trail route networks provide an infrastructure for touristic and recreational walking activities worldwide. They can have a variety of layouts, signage systems, development and management patterns, involving multiple stakeholders and contributors, and tend to be determined by various interests on different levels and dynamically changing circumstances. This paper aims to develop the skeleton of TRAILSIGNER, a sound geospatial conceptual data model suite of trail networks, waymarked routes and their signage systems and assets, which can be used as a basis for creating an information system for the effective, organic and consistent planning, management, maintenance and presentation of trails and their signage. This reduces potential confusion, mistrust and danger for visitors caused by information mismatches including incomplete, incoherent or inconsistent route signposting. To ensure consistency of incrementally planned signposts with each other and with the (possibly changing) underlying trail network, a systematic, set-based approach is developed using generative logical rules and incorporated into the conceptual model suite as signpost logics. The paper also defines a reference ruleset for it. This approach may further be generalized, personalized and adapted to other fields or applications having similar requirements or phenomena.