Rails-with-trails, which are trails located adjacent to active rail lines, are valuable assets in providing safe transportation networks for pedestrians and bicyclists. In 2013, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy produced a report that examines the characteristics of 88 existing rails-with-trails in 33 states, based on a survey of trail managers and the results of RTC’s ongoing study. America’s Rails-with-Trails provides […]

Across the country, communities are planning and building connected active-transportation networks—making it safer and more convenient for people to get where they need to go on foot, by bicycle and by wheelchair. Local governments know that this investment is critical to reduce transportation-related fatalities, strengthen their economies, provide more transportation options to underserved communities and […]

Across the country, trail networks are delivering transformative benefits in hundreds of communities. That’s because as the nation’s 40,000+ miles of trails are connected, their impact grows exponentially. With increased connectivity, the use of trail systems increases by as much as 80%i and the economic, health, climate and transportation benefits they deliver are maximized.ii The Status […]

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

Executive Order 14008, signed by President Biden at the start of his Administration, created the Justice40 Initiative to establish the goal that 40 percent of overall benefits of certain Federal investments should flow to disadvantaged communities that are overburdened by climate change, pollution, and environmental hazards. This whole-of-government initiative includes efforts by DOT to ensure transportation investments support […]

PECO’s right-of-way policies and procedures for secondary uses of the right-of-way, including trails. Author: PECO

Whether you are building a new trail or already maintaining one, it is critical to determine your maintenance costs. Once you determine baseline costs you can more accurately determine  if your practices and methods are cost-effective. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, together with several local trail managers, has created a worksheet to enable you to capture your maintenance costs […]

The costs of rail-trail and multiuse trail maintenance are not well documented as a discipline—thus making it very difficult to compare practices for gaining cost savings and efficiencies. The purpose of this table is to quickly give a general sense of the routine maintenance cost per mile of various types of multiuse trails in different […]

This is a collection of terms relating to the work of equity within the trails movement. The document provides definitions of terms like equity, equality, diversity, inclusion, cultural competence and equitable development. The definitions have been compiled from different cited sources.