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 Greenlane Association (GLASS) commissioned Exegesis to rebuild their TrailWise website, a site that maps the byways of England, Scotland and Wales for 4×4 vehicle drivers. TrailWise2 has been designed with the importance of route conservation and responsible driving at the forefront, with each route recording closure status, permit system and driver experiences.

The site allows users to view the routes on a full-screen map or individual details page where they can see details about responsible authority, closure status and permit system. GLASS will be working to record byways in areas where their data is incomplete and to keep the details for the current data up to date.

Further information from Crispin Flower.

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.

Each of the statements and statutory declaration documents relating to a Section 31(6) Deposit was scanned into a separate PDF document. The boundary of each deposit was then digitised, with multiple boundaries created if the boundary changed between statements / statutory declarations. 

The digitised boundaries were then linked to the associated attribute data to produce a digital layer so that Powys staff can undertake spatial searches to check whether a planning application is affected by Section 31(6) deposits.

Further information from Claire Lush

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. 

The technology used by the project is based upon a number of open source and open standards frameworks and may be deployed across a wide range of Android and iOS smartphones in the market today. The technical solution developed by the project follows a modular design and has been configured for use in each of the two mobile apps (Norfolk CC and Zeeland). This modular design is important as it allows additional functionality to be added by future projects and also allows existing modules to be re-developed or even removed as native technology in mobile devices develops. It also means that new mobile apps requiring a different set of functionality can be rapidly developed using existing modules with different configurations.

Further information from Laine Skinner.

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 interactive web map is hosted by exeGesIS.

The web map is used by members of the public to report problems, search for local rights of way and other features of interest nearby. It lets users switch map layers (such as promoted routes or furniture) off and on and search for features on the map using an address or OS grid reference.

It was fully integrated into the existing Monmouthshire Council website. All elements of the design were maintained, in addition to the corporate styling the backend of the site was fully integrated into the existing Monmouthshire system to provide a seamless experience for members of the public and council employees alike.

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.