ASCENT Survey

How to understand and use the rating scale

General Considerations

The design of ASCENT is driven by the need for ratings that are meaningful

An A Rating is consistent with UA Standards, the baseline recognized as facilitating access for all users regardless of the type of level of disability.
Thresholds for increasing levels of Trail Stress are selected to help people with disabilities take their first steps on natural trails, and then over time select incrementally more challenging trails to build their fitness, skills, and confidence

The design of ASCENT is also driven by the need for ratings that are as simple as possible because this makes it easier for

Raters to complete the survey as quickly and as reliably as possible
Walkers to confidently visualize how difficult a trail might be when they are setting goals or planning an outing

Characterizing Trail Stress

Stress level

Is described relative to the Universal Access standards

A- Falls just short of UA standards
B Clearly exceeds UA standards
C Significantly exceeds UA standards (e.g., a C rating) with respect to a specific feature

Length of stressor

Less than 10' (shorter)
More than 10' (longer)

A hiker seeking to build their skills and confidence may prefer tackling a trail that presents multiple shorter sections that allow them to rest / reset in between sections with more significant stressors.

Note that sections separated by less than 4' are counted as part of the same section... consider these examples of involving sections of trail 2' long and 2' wide (a B rating)

2 2' sections separated by 4' would be counted as 2 shorter sections
2 2' sections separated by 3' total are counted as one shorter (7' long) section
3 2' sections each separated by 3' are counted as one longer (2'+3'+2'+3'+2'=12') section\

Combined stressors

The combination of stressors within a specific section may be particularly challenging depending on a person's disability. For example a wheelchair user

May be somewhat confident navigating a section of trail with a 5-10% cross grade
May be somewhat confident navigating a 10+' long section of trail a running grade downhill of almost 20%
But may have no confidence when faced with a section combining these stressors, so choose to turn around.

Maximum stress level

Trail maps and descriptions include the maximum stress rating encountered for a hiker who completes the entire trail for each feature
Maps also indicate the point on the trail where stress rating increases for a given feature (for example, from Very Easy to Very Easy to Easy for Width) so that a hiker might decide that a trail is worth trying even if they have to turn around

Maximum cumulative stress

It is not only difficult to characterize every feature of a trail that exceeds UA standards, it is unnecessary

A+ Asphalt, concrete, or boardwalk
A Gravel surface that is clear, firm, and stable
A- Grass or dirt surface that is:
- Clear;
- Generally firm - e.g., a footprint will not have than a 1/2" rim and a 2" wide wheel will not leave a rut more than 1" deep), and;
- Generally stable - e.g., except after exceptionally prolonged or significant rainfall
B Generally clear, but includes up to 3 30' sections that are not firm and stable - e.g., a foot may sink up to 1" with or a bicycle / wheelchair / stroller wheel up to 2"
C Falls short of the criteria above

Survey development process

RATINGS Read more here

A+ Asphalt, concrete, or boardwalk
A Gravel surface that is clear, firm, and stable
A- Grass or dirt surface that is:
- Clear;
- Generally firm - e.g., a footprint will not have than a 1/2" rim and a 2" wide wheel will not leave a rut more than 1" deep), and;
- Generally stable - e.g., except after exceptionally prolonged or significant rainfall
B Generally clear, but includes up to 3 30' sections that are not firm and stable - e.g., a foot may sink up to 1" with or a bicycle / wheelchair / stroller wheel up to 2"
C Falls short of the criteria above

Training process