[talk-au] sac_scale [Was: Deletion of walking tracks/paths]

Fri Jan 28 08:24:03 UTC 2022

Hi Graeme,

The two systems are not 100% directly relatable because they are designed for very different purposes. One is essentially for promotional purposes and the other has legal ramifications for safety, infrastructure construction. Only two aspects of the standard are benchmarked to the AWTGS.

Here is another opinion (and policy) using the various Tasmanian track ‘systems’ (including the Australian and the AS2156) and how they are applied in different ways.

https://parks.tas.gov.au/Documents/Walking_Track_Classification_Policy_.pdf

The Australian system is used in Tasmania but primarily on ‘tourist tracks brochures’

It may bring up an issue as AS2156 Class 6 tracks (and hence some Class 5 in the AWTGS) in Tasmania are not on printed maps (however they are supplied to emergency services). Most are simply ‘known routes to peak X or Y’ where on the ground definition will be sparse or non existent. Parks Tas also has a class of tracks even lower than AS2156 class 6.

I agree that for the average punter/tourist the Australian Walking Track Classification is the ‘simplest to understand in plain language’. Now can we benchmark that against the sac_scale?

Cheers - Phil

From: Graeme Fitzpatrick <graemefitz1 at gmail.com> 
Sent: Friday, 28 January 2022 5:30 PM
To: Michael Collinson <mike at ayeltd.biz>
Cc: OSM-Au <talk-au at openstreetmap.org>
Subject: Re: [talk-au] sac_scale [Was: Deletion of walking tracks/paths]

Just doing some looking & spotted:

https://qorf-media.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/11153757/TrackGradingSystem_UserGuide.pdf

which includes

Glossary
AS 2156.1-2001 Walking Tracks - Classification and Signage
The Australian Walking Track Grading System benchmarks to AS 2156.1-2001.
A Grade 1 walk corresponds to AS 2165.1 Class 1 track
A Grade 2 walk corresponds to AS 2165.1 Class 2 track
A Grade 3 walk corresponds to AS 2165.1 Class 3 track
A Grade 4 walk corresponds to AS 2165.1 Class 4 track
A Grade 5 walk corresponds to AS 2165.1 Class 5 and 6 track 

So it appears there may only be 5 levels?

Would make sense as Grade 5 refers to multi-day, long-distance, remote-area walks!

Another slightly different, & possibly a bit clearer version:

https://www.trailhiking.com.au/preparing-to-hike/track-grading/

Thanks

Graeme

On Fri, 28 Jan 2022 at 16:22, Michael Collinson <mike at ayeltd.biz <mailto:mike at ayeltd.biz> > wrote:

Ian,

+1.  The AWTGS looks excellent as it works from an international perspective. I've also struggled with the SAC scale in the UK and Sweden, also both countries where the bulk of rural footpaths are barely "alpine" and also came to the conclusion that what matters is the type of people wanting to use the path rather than specific physical attributes of the path. And particularly at the less hardcore end.  If one substitutes "hiking" for "bushwalking", it works in those countries as well, IMHO.

The categories I've played with conceptually are:

- I could take my very elderly mother

- Suitable for inexperienced walkers in everyday footwear (which could include high heels). Less charitably: City folks stroll.

- Could I get a push-chair/stroller down here? (and by extension assisted wheel-chair)

- I'm fine with walking but don't want to be using my arms, (balance, holding-on, hauling myself up).

- I'm fine with scrambling but don't take me anywhere where I'll be nervous about falling off.

- Bring it on

I think the system satisfies the above in a nice linear fashion without too many categories. I'd be interested to know what the mysterious AS 2156.1-2001 6th one is. Copied from the URL provided:

*	Grade One is suitable for people with a disability with assistance
*	Grade Two is suitable for families with young children
*	Grade Three is recommended for people with some bushwalking experience
*	Grade Four is recommended for experienced bushwalkers, and
*	Grade Five is recommended for very experienced bushwalkers

Mike

On 2022-01-28 16:41, iansteer at iinet.net.au <mailto:iansteer at iinet.net.au>  wrote:

I think we should be considering the Australian Walking Track Grading System.  It seems to have been defined by the Victorians (Forest Fire Management - https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/recreational-activities/walking-and-camping/australian-walking-track-grading-system).  The AWTGS defines 5 track grades.

It appears to have been adopted by National Parks here in WA, NT, SA, QLD and NSW, and Bush Walking Australia.

I have tagged a few tracks (where there were officially signed with a “Class”) as “awtgs=” (however someone in Germany has since deleted those tags without reference to me!)

Australian Standard AS 2156.1-2001 is titled “Walking Tracks, Part 1: Classification and signage”.  However, I don’t have a subscription to read the contents of this standard to see how it compares with the AWTGS.  Other documentation I have seen refers to the AS scheme as having 6 levels

Ian

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