The Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs has decided to make significant changes to the interactive map and iMotoneige.
According to officials, the goal of these changes is to make life easier for snowmobilers.
From now on, snowmobilers will be able to see the location of groomers on open trails only.
But the main change is that there will no longer be traditional trail conditions.
These are being replaced by trail status, which will be indicated as open or closed," explains Alain Laliberté, geomatics specialist at the Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs.
There were several reasons for this significant change.
"We wanted to give clubs more control over the management of their data.
Trail conditions were rather arbitrary depending on the person in charge.
They could change quickly during the course of a single day.
We are eliminating an intermediary for faster management of updates.
The processing time also caused frustration and confusion among snowmobilers.
Clubs could announce on their social media that their trails were in good condition, but there was a delay before the information appeared on the interactive map."
THE ROLE OF THE CLUBS
The specialist explains that managing conditions was becoming increasingly demanding.
"It's important to understand that we've had slower starts to the season in recent years.
The season no longer begins with cold weather and snow that stays on the ground for a long time.
It was becoming very difficult to keep trail conditions up to date.
Clubs will have to do their own updates."
The Federation has simplified the task for clubs.
"With the trail status being open or closed, it becomes simpler for them.
We have provided them with tools to make their job easier with alerts from drop-down menus.
They will be able to quickly report problems such as a river that is not frozen, for example.
Also, when the trails are closed, the groomers will no longer appear.
Control will be better and the information that circulates will be accurate."
IMPROVED PERFORMANCE
FCMQ leaders have also improved the performance of the iMotoneige app and interactive map.
"Snowmobilers will be able to count on automatic updates in the future.
Clubs will also have better technological tools.
At the last convention, we presented the project to them and explained the tools they will be able to use to do so.
They were happy with these new features."
Since last year, safety terminals have been installed.
These terminals come from Public Safety.
They are installed throughout Quebec.
Information is written on them, such as the coordinates of the sign in question.
If people are in distress, they can contact emergency services and give their location.
I selected all the terminals and indicated those that are less than 500 meters from the trails.
For snowmobilers, they appear on the interactive map.
These terminals are installed by the government. "
SAFE HOTELS
For more than two decades, the Safe Hotels program has been designed to give you peace of mind when traveling.
"To be eligible for this program, accommodations must offer at least one security measure," explains Michel Garneau, editor-in-chief of Motoneige Québec magazine.
This can mean access to a locked garage or enclosure, providing a chain free of charge, having a camera system, or having a security guard service.
For a list of secure hotels, visit:
www.fcmq.qc.ca/motoneigistes/planifier-sortie-motoneige-quebec/hotels-securitaire.
By
iceman ·
