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A work in progress : © Garry McDougall Grading If a route is assessable, the IRAS will grade a route. Grading is the process depending largely on the route’s underfoot qualities. These qualities will determine the grading simply because people must make judgements on its suitability for their ability, agility and desired level of challenge. Outside the trodden route there are fewer factors affecting a route’s assessment level, mostly relating to safety and security. Again, aesthetic factors such as a location’s ‘scenic’ qualities, is not judged. It is what is underfoot that is paramount. Track Qualities
The most important underfoot route qualities are
The fourth factor is
Surfaces There are six types of surfaces
Width Four types of track width
Five types of Incline · Flat or flattish · Gentle undulations · Sustained incline · Steep · Very Steep The four context levels
A fifth, ‘closed’ or ‘life-threatening’, constitutes an inaccessible area. Each of these factors will be further defined at a later time. However, once these factors are understood, a suitably-trained person may take the next step in route assessment. The Grading Process Once 1. a route is identified, and 2. is within an assessable area the grading process involves an assessor A. Sectioning the route B. Assigning values C. Assessing and D. Reporting the results. The process of route assessment is undertaken by an assessor. The assessor will assess each section in situ, ie, an assessment ‘in abstract’ is unacceptable. S/he will make judgement on each of the four characteristics used for our system. (See below). A. Sectioning the
Route At its simplest, an entire track may be assessed as a single grade, ie, the route underfoot is largely consistent in track width, surface and incline, presenting an even level of challenge. These routes will be few as most routes do not have a consistent track surface and a steady rating of all other factors. In most cases, variable track conditions will force the assessor to divide the route into sections. Sectioning is a critical step in route assessment. A general, or ‘unsectioned’ assessment may misrepresent the route in two ways · It ignores a specific poor or difficult condition, or · It over emphasises that single condition over a wide section. Both possibilities are undesirable. How to Section In an effort to achieve accuracy and simplicity, a section must be meaningful, ie, it must have Ø an integrity and Ø be a significant distance. Integrity is achieved where a section has a level of consistency, ie, where the assessed way, in the total points, is held within a section band. These bands will be soon identified. The system is designed so that a change is section is created where there are three levels of change in the track quality or three changes in route characteristics, again, sustained over a significant distance. The significant distance is identified as 250m. Any significant/ one-off change over a shorter distance will require a special note. So a new section is created, for example, where the route changes A. from smooth to rough, and B. from flattish to steep and C. wide to narrow. D. And is maintained within a band for over 250m. Note that this ‘three-change’ rule applies only to the act of sectioning. B. Assigning The assessor will then assign values, according to the system, adding important comments that note any significant factors that ‘round’ the assessment. The Values
The Maximum Scoring is 15, making a Grade Five (5). These are rugged or difficult routes. The Minimum Scoring is 0, making a Grade zero. These are routes suitable for both walkers and wheeled vehicles. The following grades are accorded for the following score bands. Grade Points Band Zero 2, 3 One One 4-6 Two etc Two 7-9 Three 10-12 Four 13-15 Five 16-17 C. Assessing The job is not yet complete. The assessor must consider: - forseeable future changes in track and local conditions - any special notes identifying important, uncharacteristic route obstacles The assessor must also gather other valuable information such as route altitude. Lastly, an overall route assessment is made, based on route grades and their distances. The entire route must be graded according to a simple proportional summation, ie Section Distance Rating Multiple 1 0.5 2 1 2 3.3 3 9.9 3 2.2 4 8.8 4 6.1 3 18.3 5 2.8 4 11.2 Total 14.9 49.2 The 49.2 is divided by the 14.9 kilometres for 3.302. This shortened to a walkway rating of 3.3. D. Reporting The assessor’s report must include a topographic map showing
Grade Colour Zero White One Light Yellow Two Pink Three Light Blue Four Mid Blue Five
plus 6 why the route is assessable, and for what time period 7 the rating given to each section 8 the
points assigned 9. The average rating based on proportional distances (to one decimal point). The report should identify the assessor and include the assessor’s contact details. |