Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP)Rotational PenetrometerTrailWareTrailWareTrail Access Information Sheetwww.trailexplorer.orgSearch ResultsBeneficial Designs, Inc.Project Examples Presentationby Peter AxelsonBeneficial Designs, Inc.Minden, NVNevada Recreation Trails (NV NRT)Nevada Recreation Trails (NV NRT)The NV NRT project has been ongoing since 2003. The NV NRT project has been ongoing since 2003. The NV NRT goal is to make Trail Access The NV NRT goal is to make Trail Access Information (TAI) widely available for a variety of Information (TAI) widely available for a variety of trails in Northern NV. During 2006, priority trails trails in Northern NV. During 2006, priority trails were determined for Douglas, Washoe, Carson City, were determined for Douglas, Washoe, Carson City, and Sparks Counties. Over 15 trails were assessed. and Sparks Counties. Over 15 trails were assessed. In addition, a social trail at the Tahoe Meadows In addition, a social trail at the Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Trail was obliterated with the help of Interpretive Trail was obliterated with the help of volunteers and some trail reconstruction was volunteers and some trail reconstruction was completed.completed.Accessible Trail Gate BarrierAccessible Trail Gate BarrierUSDA SBIR Phase II Grant # USDA SBIR Phase II Grant # 20052005--0032500325The goal of this project is to The goal of this project is to design a trail gate barrier that design a trail gate barrier that will restrict access to will restrict access to motorized trail vehicles, but motorized trail vehicles, but allow access to all nonallow access to all non--motorized users and personal motorized users and personal mobility devices. mobility devices. Current gates that allow mobility devices also allow small Current gates that allow mobility devices also allow small motorized vehicles, forcing land managers to choose between motorized vehicles, forcing land managers to choose between providing access to people with disabilities and protecting the providing access to people with disabilities and protecting the trail environment. A phase II grant was awarded trail environment. A phase II grant was awarded for this project and is underwayfor this project and is underwayHigh Efficiency Trail Assessment Process High Efficiency Trail Assessment Process USDA SBIR Phase II Grant # 2005USDA SBIR Phase II Grant # 2005--0322603226Phase II research to create a streamlined, Phase II research to create a streamlined, costcost--effective instrument for obtaining effective instrument for obtaining accurate, objective information about trail accurate, objective information about trail environments is progressing well. environments is progressing well. Preliminary results indicate that the sensor Preliminary results indicate that the sensor package will be able to attach to a variety of package will be able to attach to a variety of third party vehicles (cart, rolathird party vehicles (cart, rola--wheel, ATV, wheel, ATV, etc.). Prototypes have been constructed etc.). Prototypes have been constructed and are currently being tested. This device and are currently being tested. This device will enable outdoor recreation and trail will enable outdoor recreation and trail access routes to be assessed more access routes to be assessed more efficiently. efficiently.Adaptive Canoe SeatingAvailable from Chosen Valley Canoe AccessoriesDenise Axelson of Beneficial Denise Axelson of Beneficial Designs and Mike Passo of Designs and Mike Passo of Wilderness Inquiry practice Wilderness Inquiry practice and discuss the refinement and discuss the refinement of measurement protocols of measurement protocols before testing begins with before testing begins with the full subject study on the the full subject study on the canoe seat development canoe seat development project. project.Kathy Mispagel of Beneficial Kathy Mispagel of Beneficial Designs and Mike Passo Designs and Mike Passo practice the measurement of practice the measurement of maximum lateral stability on maximum lateral stability on the dry land canoe simulator. the dry land canoe simulator. The angle is measured with a The angle is measured with a smart level and the tipping is smart level and the tipping is accurately controlled by a accurately controlled by a vertical extension to the vertical extension to the canoe. canoe.Test subjects are coached Test subjects are coached during the water portion of during the water portion of the evaluation in which the the evaluation in which the subject finally gets dumped subject finally gets dumped on the count of three to on the count of three to verify safe egress from the verify safe egress from the canoe. At least one water canoe. At least one water safety expert is always on safety expert is always on hand for this part of the hand for this part of the evaluation.evaluation.The adjustment of the canoe The adjustment of the canoe seating system to adapt to seating system to adapt to many different makes and many different makes and models of canoes and to as models of canoes and to as many different body sizes many different body sizes and shapes is the great and shapes is the great benefit of the Universal benefit of the Universal Canoe Seating system under Canoe Seating system under development by Beneficial development by Beneficial Designs.Designs.The HipGrip is a postural The HipGrip is a postural seating device designed to seating device designed to help control pelvic help control pelvic position and provide position and provide stability while in a stability while in a wheelchair while allowing wheelchair while allowing range of motion and range of motion and movement in anterior and movement in anterior and posterior pelvic tilt.HipGripposterior pelvic tilt.Available from BodypointFlexRimGripRimBeneficial Designs has played a key Beneficial Designs has played a key part in the ongoing effort to develop part in the ongoing effort to develop Wheelchair Seating Standards within Wheelchair Seating Standards within the ISO. The Skeletal Imbedded the ISO. The Skeletal Imbedded Loading Loading Indenter (SKELI) was Loading Loading Indenter (SKELI) was developed to provide an anatomically developed to provide an anatomically based loading indenter for the based loading indenter for the standard.standard.Seat Cushion TestingUniversal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP)Objective measurement system for trailsProven accuracy and reliabilitySimple, inexpensive