This session demonstrates how communities can develop Rails-with-Trails that facilitate both rail and active transportation.
by Jared Fijalkowski, Community Planner, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Eli Griffen, Manager of Trail Development Resources, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC)
| Rails-with-trails (RWTs) – shared-use paths along or within active railroad or rail transit corridors – are being developed in communities across the U.S. A new national study commissioned by USDOT, to be released in early 2019, explores the growing trend of collocating trails and rail or rail transit. Led by the USDOT Volpe Center, with support from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the study draws from dozens of interviews with trail managers, railroads, transit agencies, state agencies, and other stakeholders to present effective practices for RWT planning, coordination with railroads and transit agencies, corridor acquisition, liability, design solutions, construction, and maintenance. By drawing lessons from the report and further exploring characteristics of more than 300 RWTs, this session demonstrates how communities can develop RWTs that facilitate both rail and active transportation. Learning Objectives:
|
Jared Fijalkowski is a Community Planner with the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. His work focuses on rails-with-trails planning and development, bicycle and pedestrian planning, and transportation planning and project delivery. He holds a Master of Science in Transportation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Clark University.
Eli Griffen is Manager of Trail Development Resources at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), where his primary responsibilities include managing and serving a growing network of trail professionals, overseeing regranting programs, and delivering technical assistance to trail managers. He also provides extensive project support internally and externally, with specific expertise in rail-with-trail development and the federal railbanking process. Among other resources, Eli contributed to RTC’s 2013 report on rails-with-trails, entitled America’s Rails-with-Trails. Eli holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from American University and has worked at RTC since 2012
The House of Representatives has Passed the Outdoors for All Act!
Public Lands and local parks play a vital role in the physical, social and economic well-being of our communities. The Outdoors for All Act will help underserved communities access parks and public lands, protect areas sacred to Indigenous peoples, ensure clean and safe drinking water, and promote the outdoor recreation economy.
Smart Outdoor Inc. is Bringing Innovative Signs to Trails in New York and Beyond
Westchester County New York and Friends of Westchester County Parks, in collaboration with Westchester County Parks, announce collaboration with Smart Outdoor to enhance 34.6-mile running trail.
Important Updates Regarding the International Trails Symposium
American Trails will now be hosting the International Trails Symposium in February of 2022. By moving to this later date we are able to maintain an in-person symposium for those who can travel to Reno.
Submit Your Project to the Trails Move People Survey
This survey aims to quantify the capacity of the trails community to build, maintain, and develop trails now, and to provide input to GAOA and LWCF funding.
