Policy Page 13

RTC Brings Trail Benefits Message to House of Representatives

Posted 02/12/13 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy, Trail Use | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Federal

Earlier this morning, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Pat Tomes addressed a United States House of Representatives legislative briefing in Washington, D.C. on the economic benefits of rail-trails and trail development across America.

New Round of Transportation Grants a Great Investment in Illinois

Posted 02/06/13 by Eric Oberg in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with Local Organizing, State and Federal Programs

There was some wonderful news for rail-trail advocates and planners in Illinois last week, with Governor Pat Quinn announcing tens of millions of dollars would be invested in trails throughout the state.

Obama Must Replace LaHood With Worthy Successor at USDOT

Posted 02/05/13 by Jake Lynch in Policy | Tagged with Champions, Federal, Statements of Support

With Sec. LaHood announcing last week he would step down from the role of the nation's top transportation official he has filled since 2009, the urgency is building for supporters of trails and active transportation to find a worthy replacement.

Connecticut On a Roll As the Trail Gaps Disappear

Posted 01/16/13 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Policy, Success Stories | Tagged with Champions, Connected Systems, Connecticut, Products of Good Policy

Driven by a supportive governor and a forward-thinking state department of transportation that is conscious of the role of biking and walking in modern planning, Connecticut has done some great things in recent years to connect, and expand, its network of trails.

In California, RTC Urges Gov. Brown on Active Transportation Strategy

Posted 01/11/13 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with California, Demand for Trails, State and Federal Programs

The state of California is a unique bird, particularly when it comes to transportation planning. A massive space populated with a mixture of booming metropolises, sprawling suburbs, and sparse rural areas, the Golden State's dire financial straits of late have made solving its intense congestion, connectivity and public health challenges all the more difficult, and important.

RTC Study of California DOT Reveals Need to Improve Bike/Ped Culture

Posted 09/27/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with California, Design Strategies, State and Federal Programs

How prepared are the planners, designers, engineers and work crews of our state departments of transportation to deliver this active transportation infrastructure? Aware of the critical role of these staff in facilitating walking and biking, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) recently led a study of the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) bicycle- and pedestrian-related technical training for its staff.

Court Win Preserves Medicine Bow Rail Corridor in Wyoming

Posted 09/13/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Legal Issues, Threats to Trail Building, Wyoming

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) this week earned a significant win against ongoing litigation threats to preserving America's inactive rail corridors for public use.

Delaware Affirms Commitment to Active Transportation

Posted 09/10/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Success Stories, Policy | Tagged with Champions, Delaware, State and Federal Programs, Statements of Support

The vision and leadership of Delaware Governor Jack Markell and the state's senior transportation officials continues to pay off for the citizens of their state.

AASHTO's Best 10 Transportation Projects List - No Bike/Ped, No Transit

Posted 09/07/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy | Tagged with Federal, State and Federal Programs, Threats to Trail Building

Maryland Taps Transportation Enhancements for Easton Rail Trail

Posted 08/16/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with Maryland, State and Federal Programs

The Star Democrat wrote this week that Gov. Martin O'Malley had approved funding for the Easton Rail Spur Line project that will connect to the existing Easton Rail-Trail and extend the network another 2.3 miles.

RTC Gathers Expert Panel for Exploration of MAP-21

Posted 07/18/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy | Tagged with Federal, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs

Yesterday RTC hosted the first of two webinars exploring the nuts and bolts of this legislation, MAP-21, and offering advice for local practitioners on how to encourage their state to make good use of the limited pot of funds available for trails, biking and walking.

Americans Driving Less, Looking for Better Options

Posted 07/16/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Trail Use, Policy | Tagged with Case Studies, Demand for Trails, Facts and FIgures, Federal

The report, Transportation and the New Generation: Why Young People are Driving Less and What it Means for Transportation Policy, shows that young people in particular are decreasing the amount they drive and increasing their use of transportation alternatives.