Trail system receives GPS marks for 911

Special to The Telegram

COLUMBUS - Technicians from Kirkham Michael Consulting Engineers have located the longitude and latitude for each marker on the bicycle/walking trails north of Columbus.

The markings were pin-pointed with the global positioning system, commonly called GPS. The system, first developed for military use, utilizes orbiting satellites to pinpoint positions on the ground.

The marker locations will be incorporated into the 911 emergency response system used by the Columbus Police Department and Platte County Sheriff's Office. The Kirkham Michael Consulting Engineering Firm donated its expertise and labor, worth approximately $800, to this project.

“People should feel safer while enjoying the trails'” said Judy Trautwein, coordinator of the marking project for Columbus Area Recreational Trails (C.A.R.T.) and Columbus Morning Rotary Club. “If emergencies arise, a person can note the trail marker number and call rescue personnel for assistance. Response time will be shortened as personnel from the sheriff's office won't have to search miles of trail.”

In May and June, eight-inch polyethylene markers were placed on four biking, hiking and walking trails north of Columbus. The trails marked with disks every quarter mile were Two Lakes Trail, Bob Lake Trail, Robert White Trail and Wilderness Trail. The new Monastery Trail will be marked in the future.

Columbus Morning Rotary Club received a $2,000 grant from Rotary District 5650 for the project. That money covered only a portion of the cost with area businesses and individuals contributed time, equipment and expertise to the project.