This National Trail Surfaces Study provides the results of the longitudinal study of the firmness and stability of trail surface materials located at Bradford Woods, at Indiana University. It also provides the national survey results of trail managers administered by Oklahoma State University on the types and characteristics of trail surfaces currently being used around […]

The main objectives of this report were to provide the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with guidelines for the structural design of bicycle trail pavement and recommendations for bicycle trail pavement maintenance. A design procedure based on three construction traffic factors and three pavement load levels was developed for Portland cement concrete, hot-mix asphalt, and […]

This study assesses the effects of zig-zag pavement markings at trail crossings on the W&OD Trail in Virginia. The study found that the markings installed in advance of the two crossings heightened the awareness of both approaching motorists and trail users, and reduced motorist speeds. The study also found that motorists have limited understanding regarding […]

The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design set minimum requirements–both scoping and technical–for newly designed and constructed or altered state and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. Created by U.S. Department of Justice

The City of San Jose Reflective Striping Specifications outlines the specifications, requirements and execution of retro-reflective thermoplastic pavement striping for the City of San Jose trail system. Created by the City of San Jose

This is a Toolkit for Building Rail-Trails to assist in organizing your project and building your rail-trail. We provide tips and suggestions. We provide tips and suggestions, as well as models for you to adapt to your particular community and trail situation. Use this guide as you rally your first supporters, meet with the public to […]

This is an appendix to a report that includes cost estimates for surfacing various segments of the Eastern Trail in Maine. Author: Wilbur Smith Associates

A guide prepared for land trusts, watershed councils, federal, state and local land management agencies, landowners interested in wetland education, ecotourism, or related subjects. The summary is based upon a series of studies and workshops conducted by the Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) including a survey of approximately 100 wetland interpretive sites, most of […]

The need for this report arose from a discussion between CSX Railroad and the City of Philadelphia over safety and liability concerns regarding street-level access to the Schuylkill River Park Trail in Philadelphia.This paper reviews surveys performed by RTC and the U.S. Department of Transportation which found no crashes between trains and trail users on […]

This report serves as a national resource guide to assist communities in utilizing new and existing brownfield programs to understand and address environmental clean-up issues that may inhibit the conversion of unused rail rights-of-way (ROW) into multi-use trails. RTC’s objective was to address brownfield concerns by researching appropriate legal, funding and construction issues related to […]