Abstract

The project aims to compare the various means of assessing environmental quality of walking routes. These means will then be used in developing a methodology for an environmental quality audit of walking routes in Ireland. Study sites are located in the Burren, Co. Clare and by the River Suir, Co. Tipperary. Both footpaths are long-distance (at least 20 miles), cross mainly rural upland landscapes and are Waymarked Ways (part of a network, overseen by the National Waymarked Ways Committee, itself part of the Irish Sports Council).

The environmental quality audit will involve the creation of a route inventory and a database of survey results. The survey has already been piloted, and takes the form of a checklist, used at frequent intervals along the course of the walking route. All of this information is entered into GIS.

GIS will be used throughout the project, for mapping, data storage, and search and query functions. It can also be utilised for more complex operations such as map analysis with reference to specific problem, spatial modelling for broad analysis of geographical data and helping in management plan development.

Specific problems to be analysed will be, for example, choosing the best location for trail signage or visitor car parks. Spatial modelling, on the other hand, refers to the development of a computer model of the entire trail showing all its features and facilities. This type of model will be used in trail assessment and management, and is a means of presenting and analysing large amounts of spatial data.