Federal Transportation Funds for Trails (2017)

This session describes Federal surface transportation programs that fund trail projects for transportation and recreation.

by Christopher Douwes, Community Planner, Federal Highway Administration, Laura Toole, Planning and Environmental Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, D’Juan Hammonds, Ohio Department of Natural Resources

The Federal Highway Administration’s transportation programs can help create safe, accessible, attractive, and environmentally- sensitive communities where people want to live, work, and recreate.

View This Presentation Online

About the Authors

Christopher Douwes is a Community Planner with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in Washington DC. He has managed the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) since 1992, Transportation Enhancement activities since 2003, Transportation Alternatives since 2012, and has assisted with Bicycle and Pedestrian Activities since 1992. He manages contracts for research, technology development, technical assistance, and training for trail and bicycle and pedestrian-related activities. Christopher received his Masters of Science in Transportation from Northwestern University in 1990.

Contact: [email protected]

Laura Toole is a Planning and Environmental Specialist in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Ohio Division. She manages the Bicycle and Pedestrian and Recreational Trails Programs, as well as serving as the liaison to five Ohio Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and the point of contact for MPO transportation performance management and integration of safety into the planning process. Laura has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Industrial Engineering with a focus on Human Factors Engineering from Virginia Tech.

Contact: [email protected]


The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is the Ohio state government agency charged with ensuring "a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all."

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