Skip to content

Focus Term: Transportation Alternatives


Blog
“From Rails to Trails”: The Origin Story of America’s Beloved Pathways 
October 09, 2025

“From Rails to Trails” is a documentary by filmmaker Dan Protess that airs on PBS.org that explores the origins of America’s trails movement.

Marianne Fowler of Rails to Trails Conservancy, Co-Founder of RTC Peter Harnik, rail-trail advocate and author Karen-Lee Ryan, and current RTC President Ryan Chao | Photo by Ben Kolak
Blog
The Very Real Challenges Facing America’s Trails
September 10, 2025

New actions being taken at the federal level seek to undermine—or even eliminate—the crucial funding sources and corridor preservation law that make trails and active transportation networks possible. Rails to Trails Conservancy will continue working to protect the federal programs that make it possible for the country to create, connect and maintain its trails.

Texas' A-train Rail Trail | Photo courtesy Denton County Transportation Authority
Blog
Kansas’ Flint Hills Trail State Park: September 2025 Trail of the Month
September 10, 2025

Explore Kansas’ Flint Hills Trail—118 miles of prairie, history & small-town charm. A Hall of Fame rail-trail driving rural revitalization.

Kansas' Flint Hills Trail State Park | Photo by Jeff A. Carroll
resource
Transportation Alternatives Spend Report FY 2024 At A Glance
September 02, 2025
TrADE > FY 2024 At A Glance The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) is the largest dedicated source of funding for trails, walking and bicycling in the United States, focused on improving conditions for walking and bicycling. Since 1991, this program, formerly known as Transportation Enhancements (TE) and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), has transformed the landscape […]
Blog
Mississippi’s Longleaf Trace: April 2025 Trail of the Month
April 11, 2025

Longleaf Trace is a 44-mile Hall of Fame rail-trail connecting a handful of communities across rural southern Mississippi.

Longleaf Trace trailhead in Prentiss, Mississippi | Photo by Jake Lynch
Blog
Standing Up for Trails
March 12, 2025

Funding that supports trails, walking and biking which has been caught up in funding freezes and the pausing of federal programs.

View of Liberty Bridge from the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, South Carolina | Photo by Barry Peters
resource
Advocating for a High Performing Transportation Alternatives Program
December 17, 2024
Join Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) for an interactive discussion exploring how to advocate for improved Transportation Alternatives (TA) program implementation. During this highly interactive 60-minute session, attendees heard from RTC’s Kevin Mills, Vice President of Policy and Kim Chesser, State Agency Advocacy Specialist, as they explored opportunities to accelerate progress on trail and active […]
Blog
What the 2024 Election Means for Active Transportation
November 25, 2024

A few topline 2024 election takeaways by RTC predict new challenges and opportunities for active transportation.

Capitol building - Photo courtesy Getty Images
resource
Webinar – TrADE Talk: State Innovations for Transportation Alternatives
September 30, 2024
RTC’s Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange (TrADE) is the nation’s go-to transportation funding data source for trails and active transportation, tracking TA spending for tens of thousands of projects.  The TrADE report helps stakeholders at the federal, state and local levels understand and make effective use of the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) Program funding. It is an […]
Blog
Analysis of Nation’s Largest Funding Source for Active Transportation Finds Progress Amidst Overwhelming Demand
September 25, 2024

Analysis of Transportation Alternatives, nation’s largest funding source for active transportation, finds progress amidst overwhelming demand.

River Des Peres Greenway | Photo courtesy Great Rivers Greenway