1. Proposed Alabama Hiking Trail: A GIS Approach
Dr. Greg Gaston
Dr. Steve McKinney
Kevin Buttrum
Matthew Staudt
Lee Terry
Kelli Cole

2. Introduction
The Alabama Hiking Trail Society has proposed a network of hiking trails that will stretch along the western corridor of Alabama from historic Fort Morgan on the Gulf Coast to the Natchez Trace Trail in North Alabama near Florence.

3. The Trail
It will take much discussion and mutual agreements in order to acquire access to thelands necessary to complete this project.
We hope to create a useful GIS model to identify an ideal corridor.
Bankhead National Forest

4. The Trail
Another goal of this project is to highlight Points of Interest in Alabama such as:
Fort Morgan Historic Site
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Gulf State Park
Lillian Swamp
Millers Ferry
Talladega National Forest
Bankhead National Forest
Sipsey Wilderness
Cane Creek Preserve
Joe Wheeler State Park
Natchez Trace Trail

5. GIS Index Model
Using ArcGIS Software, an Index Model was created to identify a suitable corridor for the proposed hiking trails.
Parcel data was collected that contained information such as Parcel Size, Ownership (Public vs. Private), Parcel Value, and Land Cover.
We then classified these variables and weighted them according to how well the parcel fit our criteria for the corridor.

6. Model Assumptions
Public Land is more accessible for trail construction than Private Land.
Large Parcels should be easier to access than small Parcels and are less likely to be developed.
Forested areas are better than agricultural fields or developed areas.
Parcels with a lower assessed value would be easier to gain access.

7. The Data
Ownership, Size, and Assessed Value come from the County Department of Revenues database.
Land Cover Data comes from USGS National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD)

8. Study Area
The Area that was chosen to test the model was Lauderdale County, AL

9.

10. GIS Index Model
The following scale was use to weigh our variables:
5 Unacceptable(50 Acres)
4 Less Acceptable(75 Acres)
3 Average (100 Acres)
2 Good (125 Acres)
1 Best ( >125 Acres)

11. Testing the model:
The Extreme NW Corner of Lauderdale County was selected to test the model.
We assumed a corridor from the Natchez Trace to the NW Corner of Alabama Near the Tennessee River.

12. IndexModel: Class 5

13. Land Cover

14. An Example of selecting for a specific landcover type

15. Points of interest (parks in the test area)

16. Public Land vs. Private Land

17. Land Value

18. Parcel Size

19. Final Parcel Grid

20. Least Cost Path

21. Least Cost Path Alternate

22. Additional Data that can be considered to improve the results of the model output
Aerial Images
Topographic Maps

23. Results
The preceding demonstration highlights how a GIS Model can be implemented to assist in indentifying an ideal corridor for the proposed network of trails.
This model is not concrete or set in stone; it is a fluid model that can be modified at any point to include or exclude any areas.
Any Comments or Questions??