Trail-oriented Development (TrOD) is a planning approach that clusters residential and commercial spaces around trails, creating walkable, human-scaled environments designed for active transportation, recreation, and business growth. Central Indiana features a growing network of trails, including the Monon Trail and Fall Creek Trail, with vibrant areas like Broad Ripple and Carmel Midtown successfully embracing TrOD […]

The purpose of the LVRT Management Plan is to articulate a cohesive, community defined vision for the completed trail system and identify strategies to support the management, maintenance, operations, community connections and economic development opportunities along the trail. Author: Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTRANS)

The Guide for Maintaining Active Transportation Infrastructure for Enhanced Safety addresses maintenance of active transportation facilities for achieving mobility, accessibility, safety, and equity goals. The Guide presents a case for maintaining active transportation facilities as an integral component of a Complete Streets approach and discusses common maintenance issues impacting pedestrians, bicyclists, and micromobility users; temporary, […]

This document from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides support to grantees when real estate programs require the acquisition of real property interest owned by a railroad. It explains and outlines the necessity of developing a clear and understandable appraisal scope of work and describes the methodologies that may be most appropriate in arriving at […]

The focus of this resource is on improving the driver’s visibility of trail users at roadway crossings. The document presents a systemic approach to reviewing existing crossings or planning for improved at-grade trail crossings with engineering countermeasures, such as enhanced signs and traffic controls. This resource discusses ways to make crossings more visible to drivers. […]

The Real Estate Guidelines & Procedures Handbook will discuss real estate guidelines and procedures for the Next Level Trails (NLT) program. The procedures explained in this handbook should be read with extreme care. If the procedures are ignored, the applicant could encounter problems in receiving payment for eligible costs or claiming match value for land, […]

Established Trail of Tears Historic Bike Route.

This table prepared by the FHWA indicates potential eligibility for pedestrian and bicycle projects under U.S. Department of Transportation surface transportation funding programs. Additional restrictions may apply. See notes and basic program requirements below, and see program guidance for detailed requirements.  This resource is updated regularly. Check the FHWA website for the most recent version: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/funding/ […]

This FHWA document provides resources formal technical assistance that can support disadvantaged communities, biking, multiuse paths, and active transportation. The document lists both government and non-government sources of technical assistance, including Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Author: Federal Highway Administration

At-grade trail crossings have frequently been the sites of bicycle, pedestrian, and snowmobile crashes in Minnesota and throughout the nation. To date, many resources exist for use in the design of trails and intersections, such as the MnDOT Bikeway Facility Design Manual, while guidelines of traffic control at roadway-trail crossings are covered in the MN […]