We worked with Staffordshire County Council to agree the standards for the survey and produce the survey manual, and after an on-site Pilot to confirm the standards, the fieldwork began in earnest. The survey ran from their live CAMS solution, so all the data collected immediately went back into their live CAMS and was instantly available to officers. While the surveyors were collecting data and photographs in the field, Exegesis consultants in the office worked on other areas of the project. We completed a GIS exercise to calculate the gradients along the route by intersecting the route with the 5m contour data, and used this information to identify the maximum gradient along each of the link sections. We also identified useful facilities on or near the route (such as car parks, EV chargers, accommodation providers and public conveniences) by buffering the route and intersecting this with the OpenStreetMap data.

A number of issues were identified during the survey, and for each of these we identified suitable next steps for mitigating or resolving these issues. Each of these actions had cost estimates associated with them, allowing us to produce a costed summary of the work required to resolve these issues. By classifying each of the issues by their effect on the user, and giving each a priority, we were able to break the cost down by the priority of the issues, as well as by those on the circular walks compared to the Staffordshire Way itself. A new form of analysis which we undertook was to give each issue a score based on the impact it had on the user and to total these scores for each link on the Staffordshire Way and associated walks. What this showed was that while some links were impacted by one serious issue, others had a larger number of smaller issues whose cumulative effect was just as significant.

After the fieldwork was completed, we collated the data from the analyses and the survey to provide useful reports for Staffordshire Council. A key area of interest was around accessibility, and being able to provide potential visitors with the information about where potential barriers were. The gradient analysis was obviously a key part of this, and we used this information alongside the data from the fieldwork about stiles, steps and similar items of furniture to show areas where accessibility could best be improved, as well as maps showing gradients and barriers. In addition, we produced atlases of the road crossings and sections of the route that followed roads, with photos, comments from the surveyor, details of any specific problems, and assessment of the provision and visibility.

All the information was loaded into Staffordshire's CAMS solution, where it is easily searchable and updatable by Staffordshire's public rights of way team.

Further information from Timothy Derbyshire

The Rights of Way network in Calderdale comprises nearly 1,400km of moorland, steep valleys, and urban areas. The fieldwork was completed in three months, using a team of five surveyors armed with rugged tablets using our CAMS Mobile app. Our surveyors collected information on every furniture item and every issue/problem and captured over 27,000 photos. This gave officers at Calderdale Council a complete picture of their public rights of way.

Rather than simply handing back static report files, Exegesis loaded all the information from the survey into our new cloud-based CAMS Pro solution. This provides powerful searching capabilities, interactive mapping and photos integrated via LibraryLink in an accessible, intuitive website interface. But CAMS Pro is more than just an interface for viewing the survey data; it also includes tools for prioritising the issues, assigning tasks to officers, and tracking the progress of issues through to completion. A wide range of reports can be run from the system, and the interactive map allows the information to be visualised in different ways. In addition, CAMS Pro facilitates engagement with the public by allowing Calderdale Council to easily publish their register of applications for Definitive Map Modification Orders & Public Path Orders. To help keep the data up to date when working in the field, we also provided Calderdale Council with CAMS Mobile for their own use as well, allowing offline edits to the data, and synchronising directly with their CAMS Pro system when signal is available.

This project provided Calderdale Council with a comprehensive, up to date dataset of their public rights of way, along with easy-to-use tools to enable them to manage the data and to get the most value from it.

Further information from Timothy Derbyshire

Given the dynamic nature of the sand dune habitat, it was not possible to use historical mapping, MasterMap or any of the datasets that are normally used for digitising Rights of Way networks. We instead used the most recent available aerial photography to identify and capture the walked lines of the paths.

Once the network had been captured, it was loaded to the CAMS Mobile solution for the fieldwork. This allowed the surveyor to capture details of the furniture items and issues on the network, using the tablet's GPS to assist with positioning and capturing images on the tablet's camera. The data, including the digitised network, were then all synchronised back into the client's CAMS dataset, with all the photos linked to the records.

Further information from Timothy Derbyshire.

The first stage was to digitise the route of the new section into the Authority's CAMS. This included correcting the alignment of the path against OS MasterMap and dividing the route into Link sections.

The data were then loaded to the CAMS Mobile table application for survey in the field. The information captured included spatial and text data on all the signage, gates seating and other furniture along the Trail, along with photographs. In addition, detailed information, including mapping and photographs, was captured of all problems encountered along the Thames Path.

The collected data were analysed and loaded into the client's CAMS solution, and copies of map layers, geo-tagged photos and reports were made available to Transport for London.

More information from Timothy Derbyshire.

The surveyor found the system easy to use in the field, and was impressed with the performance, GPS response and camera quality in the tablet. The 16% survey equated to about 140km of public rights of way, and this was completed in the field in just a couple of weeks.

After the fieldwork was successfully completed, the data were synchronised into the authority's CAMS system, allowing them to generate reports and plan for the future maintenance of the network.

Further information from Timothy Derbyshire

The site of the path was steeply sloping with significant vegetation cover, making it difficult for standard GPS receivers to get an accurate fix.

Working with the National Park authority, exeGesIS used high-precision GPS equipment to mark the line of the path, achieving sub-metre accuracy. These GPS data were used to create a map layer that could be incorporated into the authority's CAMS and GIS applications.

Further information from Timothy Derbyshire.

We then provided a website that would enable South Downs Way volunteers to enter condition survey information, previously recorded on paper maps, onto the web. This condition survey information was then be uploaded directly to the exeGesIS Countryside Access Management System (CAMS) software for analysis and reporting.

In addition to fault reporting, developments to CAMS Web now enable registered volunteers to:

• View a list of surveys that have been assigned to them
• Record the condition of assets
• Record any issues found
• Sign off issues found to be completed
• Sign off surveys
• Record the time taken to complete surveys

National Park Officers can also assign additional tasks to volunteers through the website.

The National Park has subsequently expanded the use of the website to volunteers completing park-wide Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) surveys.

Further information from Kathryn Steemson.

The data collected in the field, in common with other rights of way surveys carried out by exeGesIS, included locations and details of all the furniture items along the trail and any problems that required work to be carried out, along with photographs. These data were processed into the CAMS used by the Kintyre Way managers, and also into the separate CAMS used by the team in Argyll & Bute Council.

Training was then provided to all the users in the council offices in Lochgilphead, to maximise the benefit that both teams could get the from the data collected. In addition, reports were developed to the users’ requirements so that the data could be presented to other interested parties. This work provided the managers of the Kintyre Way with a means to not only identify where work was needed, but also to prioritise that work and to inform local interest groups of the improvements made to the trail.

Further information from Timothy Derbyshire.

The client required an affordable, mobile system for data gathering in the field. A key requirement was the ability to synchronise the data wirelessly with CAMS Desktop in the office from anywhere at any time.

CAMS Mobile gives you:

• Live data collection in the field
• Portable, lightweight Smartphone / tablet
• Fast, accurate GPS
• Fast, simple recording of data
• Mapping and intuitive forms
• In-built camera
• Seamless data sync 

CAMS Mobile is ideal for:

• Carrying-out condition surveys
• Ad hoc recording of work
• Information resource in your pocket
• Populating asset registers
• Recording issues
• Recording details of site visits

Download a flyer. Further information is available from Simon Allen.

Natural England asked exeGesIS to assist in developing the methodology for the baseline survey, which could then be applied in subsequent years to monitor the condition of the Trail. While Natural England's own surveyors carried out the fieldwork, exeGesIS provided the survey equipment and technical support to the surveyors during the six-week survey period.

The survey produced an inventory of all the assets on the Bridleway, from larger structures like bridges, through to gates, signs and smaller items like water troughs and mounting blocks. Any problems or issues on the trail were recorded, and GPS tracking functionality was used to produce a corrected and updated line of the route. After these data had been collected, exeGesIS produced a corrected map layer of the Trail and analysed and reported on the data collected. The data, including photographs, were loaded into the exeGesIS CAMS software to allow further analysis.

Further information from Timothy Derbyshire.

The initial stage was to work with the authority to develop a methodology for the survey, deciding what data needed to be collected and what standards should be applied: there is always an element of subjectivity in determining what criteria should be met for an asset to be considered satisfactory, and this was an area where exeGesIS were able to bring considerable experience to bear. Once the methodology was agreed, exeGesIS collated the existing data from the authority and completed preparations for the fieldwork.

The fieldwork was completed in just six weeks by one of exeGesIS’s experienced public rights of way surveyors. This involved the collection of information on over 1,800 assets and over 900 issues, and the capture of more than 3,000 photographs. All of the data were uploaded into the exeGesIS Countryside Access Management System (CAMS) software for analysis and reporting.

In addition to a series of reports, both summary statistics and detail reports, the data collected were loaded into the South Downs National Park Authority’s own CAMS solution, allowing them to interact with the data and carry out their own searching, reporting and analysis. This also provided them with a wealth of information that can be used and updated in their ongoing management of the trails.

Further information from Timothy Derbyshire.

exeGesIS worked with Bristol City Council to develop the methodology for the survey. We then used our Path Surveyor application to complete the survey, loading all the existing data onto handheld devices so that they were visible to the surveyor in the field. This enabled the surveyor to see what information already existed, update data on existing features where it was out of date and capture new features from scratch. This was done whilst retaining information that was still relevant.

A particular requirement for this survey was the capture of photographs for all features, not only for all furniture items (both new and existing) and for all issues, but also general photographs of the paths were required as well. These photos were captured on survey and processed via Field Data Manger into LibraryLink, where they are visible from the Council’s CAMS application.

Further information from Timothy Derbyshire.

In addition to the survey, the actual path line for the Wales Coast Path was digitised and categorised based on BS7666 standards.   

The survey was completed with the goal of providing a summary of the condition of the Wales Coast Path. It was also intended to act as a resource for local authorities responsible for maintaining the path as it passes along the coast.

After the survey all data was made available to NRW via a dedicated data management system. The Wales Coast Path Quality Management System is hosted and supported by Exegesis and available to NRW staff for the purposes of managing the Wales Coast Path.

For more information, please contact Simon Allen. 

exeGesIS has worked closely with Powys County Council over several years to provide this service. The process involves analysis of the current network’s state to create a 5% sample, preparation and organisation pre-survey plus supplying and supporting the surveyors whilst they are out in the field.

A 5% sample of the Powys Path Network is approximately 420km. exeGesIS surveyors complete this within a few weeks. The data is then processed and imported back into the PCC CAMS and reports are provided to indicate the condition of the network. 

For more information, please contact Simon Allen or Timothy Derbyshire. 

In keeping with established BVPI standards, exeGesIS worked with a team at Ceredigion to analyse and create a 5% sample of the Rights of Way network. A straightforward task when completed within CAMS.

After establishing a sample of approximately 130km in length, exeGesIS provided professional surveyors and completed the fieldwork promptly.

Post survey, exeGesIS analysed the condition data and produced reports to help Ceredigion prioritise their tasks and structure a workplan for the following year.

The raw survey data was also returned to the Ceredigion Rights of Way team and imported into their live CAMS. This allowed them to get up-to-date summaries about any furniture with poor condition or outstanding problems within the network they needed to respond to.

For more information, please contact Simon Allen or Timothy Derbyshire. 

The task required analysing approximately 1500km of path network around the coastline of Wales. A route was supplied by NRW, this was then split and labelled with attributes according to the surface of the path, the requirements of NRW and BS7666 guidelines.

The path was redrafted several times to improve accuracy and reflect changes agreed between landowners and the NRW that occurred during the project. The end result was a path digitised to OS Mastermap data to an accuracy of <5m. 

For more information, please contact Simon Allen. 

Using the Exegesis 'Path Surveyor' application, the survey team captured data on 24,000 features with 15,000 images. LAMS has a desktop component allowing trail managers to undertake detailed analysis and reporting and an advanced web viewer application based on Microsoft’s© Virtual Earth™ (VE). This project brings together the functionality and power of desktop MapInfo, the outstanding map and aerial imagery resources of the VE platform and an open source development environment to offer a very cost efficient solution.

The next step in the project is to integrate the LAMS web application into the Walk London website, allowing users highly flexible searches with information returned as maps, text and images – and even perhaps an option to use the 3D fly through capabilities of VE.

Further information is available from Kathryn Steemson.

In order to determine the sustainability of Motorised Recreational Vehicle routes across a large part of mid-Wales a large body of existing digital information had to be collated and processed to a common format. The information related to soils, topography, ecological and archaeological interest and statutory designations. An important consideration was the effect of vehicular use on 'tranquillity' necessitating the creation of 'noise' or 'tranquillity' maps for the Cambrian Mountains region. Several hundred kilometres of routes and roads were surveyed and photographed to record the physical robustness and condition of vehicular routes. All data were processed and analysed to inform practical management and information was also published using interactive web mapping.

Further information is available from Kathryn Steemson.

To do this,  exeGesIS used two mapping layers: the Rights of Way layer and a layer of contour lines. From these, gradients could be determined for the small segments of each path between contours, using the elevation of the contour lines. Once these had been calculated, each path was assigned a gradient corresponding to the maximum gradient along it. The walked length was also calculated for each link.

The outputs form this; the updated Rights of Way layer with the gradient information added, and the same layer split into the segments between contours allowed DCC not only to better plan their accessibility improvement planning, but also to provide a thematic map of their network by gradient online so that members of the public could choose where to walk.

Devon employed the results of the gradient analysis in one of the Council websites, presenting the data to the public. Other clients have used the data in a variety of ways, from prioritising the teams workload to designing easy access and other types of promoted routes. 

We were awarded the contract in the spring of 2004 and following detailed discussions with Cornwall rights of way staff on the detailed survey methodology and condition assessment standards, we appointed and trained a 5 strong survey team.

Utilising our ‘Path Surveyor’ System with integrated GPS and camera, the surveyors are making excellent progress and we are scheduled to complete on time this Autumn.

As part of the project, we are providing the Council with CAMS V5, fully populated with the results of the survey. We will also spend several days producing detailed analysis and reporting of results, including full upgrade maintenance cost calculations.

Further information from Kathryn Steemson.