Geotrail Planning Application

Dr Mark Williams
Apr 2
1 min read

The Geotrail Planning Application is a decision-support tool designed to help planners and geopark managers identify optimal routes for geotrails. It uses spatial based multi-criteria decision-making to evaluate landscape characteristics (including slope, landforms, and geology) to generate trails that balance accessibility, visitor experience, and conservation that are targeted toward user groups. This supports more informed and sustainable geotourism planning.

High angle view of a diverse geological landscape

Key Features

Integrates multiple spatial datasets (e.g. slope, geology, landforms)
Uses a robust multi-criteria decision-making approach to weight geotrail criteria
Customisable criteria to suit different planning goals (e.g. accessibility, scenic value) and user groups
Outputs geotrail routes ready for mapping and field validation

Example Use Case

The Geotrail Planning Application was tested on the West Coast of Tasmania, a rugged and mountainous region with significant mining heritage. Three potential geotrails were designed to cater to different visitor interests, including mining history, natural landscapes, and wilderness adventure. Using the application, optimal routes were generated based on terrain, environmental factors, and accessibility. These routes were then tested in the field, where adjustments were made to improve safety, accessibility, and overall visitor experience. The field validation process also helped refine the routes to better align with trail design best practices and environmental considerations.