Data on Recreational Trails Program funding analyzed

The Recreational Trails Program, first established in 1991 and then reauthorized as part of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), returns a portion of federal gasoline taxes generated by non-highway recreation to the states for trail-related purposes. Currently, the program receives $50 million in annual funding. The members of the CRT work together to build awareness and understanding of the RTP, to support its effective implementation and to help ensure that it receives adequate funding.

During the awards ceremony, CRT Co-Chair Dean Tice also reported some of the findings from a recent data-collection effort undertaken by CRT to measure the impact and importance of the RTP. Its review of over 2,500 projects funded by the RTP since the program's inception revealed that:

• Federal RTP dollars have been matched at least 1:1 nationally by state, local and trail enthusiast funding for projects.
• Trail and bridge construction/reconstruction have been the leading category of trail projects funded under the program.
• Projects appear to be benefitting specific trail activities in a way that is generally proportionate to overall public participation in each activity.
• While the size of the projects varies tremendously, the average project received approximately $25,000 in RTP funds.

Mr. Tice also announced that the data-collection effort, which had been undertaken in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, would be continued for a second year.

The table categorizes the uses of the funding, showing the number of projects in each category out of 2,524 reported:

Project Type	Number of projects
Trail construction or development	559
Bridge construction or renovation	245
Trailheads, parking, restrooms	215
Trail maintenance	100
Sign purchase or installation	163
Trail renovation or relocation	147
Trail equipment purchased	98
Snow trail grooming	84
Education	16

Every category of trail recreation was represented. Projects that reported on trail use show this diversity by category:

Project Type	percent of projects	Number of projects
Hiking	56%	625
Mountain biking	43%	474
Walking	38%	427
Equestrian	28%	307
Cross Country Skiing	27%	298
Snowmobiling	24%	266
Road biking	19%	217
Running	21%	230
All terrain vehicle riding	18%	214
Off road motorcycling	15%	163
Four wheel driving	8%	88
Snowshoeing	5%	57
Paddling (canoeing, kayaking)	1%	14

For a state-by-state analysis of projects funded by the Recreational Trails Program and information on RTP funding: www.AmericanTrails.org. Click on "Resources & Library," then click on "Federal Funding."

Thank you for visiting the American Trails website: http://www.AmericanTrails.org

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