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Trail Planning

Rail with Trails: Best Practices and Lessons Learned

REPORT
May 1, 2021

Rail with Trails: Best Practices and Lessons LearnedDownload

In 2002, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published its first Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned report, which summarized the state of the practice and lessons learned regarding the development, construction, and operation of rails-with-trails. This updated Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned report documents how the state of the practice, perspectives, and context for rails-with-trails have evolved since 2002 and includes updated effective practices. The information presented in this report is based on extensive research into existing and planned rails-with-trails that involved interviews with railroad officials and trail managers; a literature review of previous rail-with-trail studies; a review of trail planning guidance documents; and input from various railroad and trail professionals.

Author: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

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