Last Updated on June 14, 2023
Table of Contents
Trail Evaluation
The best way to start off planning for a Bay Trail or Park Trail is to have a full evaluation of your existing location. We provide full wayfinding and heritage audits with an analysis of:
- The accessibility of the route for various types and ease of being able to follow the route (including through the use of signage, space, and human factors).
- Consideration of how the wayfinding signage integrates with other information on the route.
- Recommendations and consultancy on the short-comings and what can be improved, in addition to an explanation of what is done well already and should be kept.
Trail Planning
- We can help you create a narrative and overall plan for building a heritage circuit that complements the trail.
- We have the expertise, as researchers at Doctorate level and also develop literature and books where required, for trail users.
- We have several years’ worth of expertise in wayfinding and can help to shape your trail in order to make it easier to use for all users. We include a focus on creating signs that complement the local environment and befitting of the type of route being planned.
- We consider route access and usability also for those with disabilities.
- We do NOT automatically suggest a technological solution, given that enjoying bay trails can be about learning to enjoy the great outdoors and to appreciate the wilderness and not looking down at a mobile phone.
- Beacons and the such like can be used for providing route information to mobile devices and we do consider this if you are interested in these types of solutions. Where possible nevertheless, we do put focus on solutions that increase the outdoor bay and park experience.
- We can also look at the idea of various different trail loops to accommodate different mobility types i.e. a runners route, walking routes, a route for the elderly and so on.
- A learning route can also be developed with learning materials, literature and which evokes emotions that create a memorable experience.
- One of the keys to planning and understanding wayfinding and navigation signage is to think of all the working parts. So bringing together the UX (user experience), commercial needs, DDA requirements and all aspects of the wayfinding experience both from the point of view of the user and the managers of the location.
Wayfinding Courses and Further Learning
These courses are available to study online in your own time and you can get started immediately:
Dr Paul Symonds has a PhD in Wayfinding from Cardiff Metropolitan University in the UK. Paul works with the signage industry, airports and other locations providing wayfinding audits, consultancy and training.
