Improved trail usability and information accessibility for the nature reserves of Tshwane - a geoinformation science approach

Abstract

The usability of the nature reserves in the City of Tshwane, which is located in the province of Gauteng, South Africa, is a consequence of the information accessibility that the users of these areas have. Although maps have been produced for some of the nature reserves, these maps do not provide information on the level of difficulty of the trails. By incorporating information such as the difficulty level associated with each trail, users can better understand the physical requirements associated with the given trail, which in turn increases the usability of these areas. Importantly, this directly relates to SDG 11 which states that cities and communities must be, amongst other, more sustainable, and inclusive. This study aims to improve the information accessibility of the nature reserves in the City of Tshwane, by creating resources that better inform users of the relevant features of the reserves, more specifically the physical characteristics of the available trails. Various known algorithms were used to model the physical parameters needed to grade the trails. These algorithms included The Modified Hiking Function, Pandolf’s Metabolic Rate Function, as well as Epstein’s Function. By using these algorithms, results were obtained that reflected each trails’ distance, estimated travel time, and energy expenditure, which were then subsequently used to grade the trails. Fieldwork data, as well as Volunteered Geographic Information were used to verify the modelled results. Lastly, these results were disseminated through infographics, hardcopy maps, and an online resource. This study successfully modelled the various relevant physical parameters of each trail, which were subsequently used to assign a difficulty level to each trail. Infographics, hardcopy maps, and an online resource were then created that reflected the relevant information of each trail. These informational products are available to the public, either in hardcopy format available at the nature reserves or via a QR code (printed on the hardcopy maps and/or infographics) that directs them to the online resources. By providing the public with adequate information regarding each nature reserve’s trails, as well as its added amenities, users can now be in a position where they can make more informed decisions, which improves the usability of these areas, as well as incorporates the intentions of SDG 11. Keywords: Epstein’s Function, FAIR data use principles, information accessibility, Modified Hiking Function, Pandolf’s Metabolic Rate Functions, Target 11.7, Volunteered Geographic Information