TEAS
Trail Emergency Access System
Mike Wallace, Director
Dallas County Conservation Board
Dallas County, Iowa
The Trail Emergency Access System (TEAS) is based on the same idea of the E911 system used for identifying an address for a specific location. The major difference is that with TEAS, the address is a specific reference point located on a recreational trail. I was part of the development of this type of a system several years ago when I was working in Black Hawk County.
As trails in Dallas County continue to expand, connect with other counties, or branch out and become a trail with a different name, it becomes more difficult for the trail user to know where exactly they are. It may even be hard to determine or remember what the name is of the trail that they are on. By using the TEAS numbering system those factors are no longer a major concern.
The system can be designed utilizing an existing county grid map system such as was the case in Black Hawk County or it can utilize GPS coordinates. In either case the actual reference point number that the trail user sees does not mean much to that user. However, the number does mean something to law enforcement and EMS personnel because it will be a reference point number that is listed on a data base that will give specific and detailed directions on how to get to that point in the trail. In Dallas County the trail reference number will be according to the county number, trail name and the number of logistical points established. The data base will contain a detailed GPS coordinate number and the specific landmark directions for EMS personnel to find the location. The trail posts or markers with the TEAS number on it can be located at any logical point on the trails that the trail managers feel would be appropriate. In Dallas County we will attempt to put a marker every ½ mile and at any logical point of interest.
Here is how the system works: When someone is in need of “Emergency” help they can call 911 and give the dispatch center the ID number on the post that they are near. The dispatcher then puts the number into the computer and the database provides specific directions on how to get to that location. The information would provide information such as directions like ½ mile west of the intersection of K Ave and 290th st. Dallas County on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Then as with the regular E911 system the help is on its way.
Example of a TEAS Reference Marker
This system will work well when crossing county lines. There will be no duplication of the number system, even though the trail name may be the same, because of the county number there will not be a duplicate.. The local entities have much flexibility with the numbers following the county number. If a county has two trails that begin with a letter they could use for example RR or RA. The letter does not necessarily have to be part of the trail name.
The key to the system is to make it easy for the user to read and recall the number. The number on the post is not significant because of the detailed description within the database.