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Regional trails committee considers US National Grid emergency locator signs for greenways
Summary
A staff presentation introduced the US National Grid (USNG) emergency-locator system and free web tools for signage and QR-enabled coordinates; committee members discussed next steps but took no formal vote.
Aaron (staff member) told the NVCOG Trails Committee that he encountered a national effort to use the U.S. National Grid (USNG) as a simple, interoperable emergency-location standard for trails and parks.
He said the system ‘‘is basically a grid system that's laid over the entire U.S.,’’ and explained that the grid can provide coordinates down to 10-meter squares, which he described as sufficient for guiding emergency responders on trails.
The presentation noted the University of Minnesota’s 2010 work recommending USNG for outdoor emergency location, the SharedGeo (SharedGEO) contractor tools that generate sign templates, and a free web app (USNGapp.org) that creates coordinates and offline-capable shortcuts on phones. Aaron demonstrated a Derby Greenway example sign with an eight-digit USNG coordinate and a QR code that opens the web app.
Mark Nielsen (NVCOG) and others asked clarifying questions about use and placement. Nielsen confirmed the signs would replace or supplement mile markers and would not require re-numbering when segments are extended. Gary Lukowski, director of public works for Watertown, said he downloaded the app, tested coordinates from his office and planned to check that Watertown dispatchers understand the coordinates. "The app is free," Aaron said, adding the web app can work without cell service by using the phone's GPS receiver.
Aaron outlined practical details discussed in the presentation: the template signs are roughly 8 by 12 inches (approximate), follow Federal Highway Administration-readable standards, can be printed or purchased through SharedGeo, and include QR codes that generate a coordinate at the user's location. He said dispatch systems already have the ability to accept USNG coordinates and that adopting USNG avoids the need to update dispatch maps when new signs are added.
Committee members agreed the approach merits promotion to towns and inclusion in design guidance and in future grant rounds, but no formal motion or vote was recorded. Aaron asked for the committee's blessing to pursue adding USNG information to the design and management guide and to explore pilot funding; several members voiced support but no formal action was taken.
Next steps described in the meeting: committee members were encouraged to review SharedGeo/USNG materials, verify local dispatch compatibility, and consider recruiting a pilot through recreational-trails grant rounds. No implementation deadlines or formal assignments were recorded in the meeting minutes presented.
