TrailLink 2005
Federal Highway Administration Presentation
Cynthia J Burbank, Associate Administrator for Planning, Environment, and Realty
Conference Program Description: A Federal Affair: Agencies Weigh In. During this luncheon with fellow conference attendees, featured speakers from government agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development will discuss and explore their shared role in trail development, and the role of trails in community development.
What is the role of Transportation in trails?
Why are we transportation people here at a trails conference?
1. Funding
Transportation funding is the single largest source of funds for trails in the United States.
- About $200 million for about 500 trail projects using Transportation Enhancement funds each year.
- About $50 million for about 1,000 Recreational Trails Program projects each year.
- Additional funds for trail projects from regular Surface Transportation Program funds, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, National Scenic Byways Program, and the Federal Lands Highway Program.
States have increased Federal-aid funding for pedestrian and bicycle projects and programs from $22 million in 1992 to more than $400 million annually since 2000.
- States have broad flexibility to use Federal-aid highway program funds for pedestrian and bicycle projects and for trails.
- States are using more than $300 million annually in Transportation Enhancement funds for pedestrian and bicyclist projects, including sidewalks, bike lanes and bike racks, and trails.
2. Policy and Planning
The US Department of Transportation recognizes the important role pedestrians and bicyclists have in our nation's transportation system. This includes making sure our transportation system is accessible to all, including people who have disabilities.
National Bicycling and Walking Study: The USDOT released the National Bicycling and Walking Study in 1994, which called for doubling the percentage of trips made by bicycling and walking while simultaneously reducing injuries and fatalities by 10 percent. Our 10 Year Status Report (www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/study/index.htm) showed:
- The reported number of bicycling and walking trips have doubled, but not the percentage, because the number of motor vehicle trips also increased more than 60 percent.
- The number of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities have decreased by 18 percent, and the number of injuries have decreased by 30 percent. In 1994, pedestrians and bicyclists were 16 percent of highway fatalities. This percentage decreased to 12 percent by 2004. FHWA has made pedestrian safety one of its key strategic plan goals.
Design Guidance: In February 2000, FHWA released its pedestrian and bicycle Design Guidance, Accommodating Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel: A Recommended Approach. This guidance encourages State and local transportation agencies to routinely accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists in all transportation plans, programs, and projects as part of everyday business. We also want to make sure our facilities are accessible to all: we published Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access to give guidance on how to develop accessible pedestrian walkways and trails.
Planning: Federal transportation law requires statewide and metropolitan transportation planning processes. States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) receive Federal transportation funds to support transportation planning. Transportation plans also should incorporate information from land use plans, recreation plans, trail plans, public safety plans, and public health plans. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and trail advocates are key participants in this process. The USDOT proposed strengthening transportation planning requirements to specifically require the inclusion of pedestrians and bicyclists in the public participation process.
Most pedestrian and bicyclist trips are short, local trips. Therefore, local land use planning is an important method to determine how communities develop, and whether or not they develop into communities that support walking and bicycling. If we continue separating origins and destinations with long distances, we won't be able to reach our goals making bicycling and walking convenient enough for most people.
FHWA also encourages Scenario Planning. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/scenplan/index.htm for more information. We also have A Citizen's Quick Reference Guide to Transportation Decisionmaking at www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/citizen/index.htm. This brochure tells you how transportation plans are developed, how transportation decisions are made, and how you can get involved.
Public Health- FHWA is embarking on a new research project that will provide transportation planners with an introductory "Best Practices Document to Establish Minimum Performance Standards for Transportation and Public Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Studies."
- FHWA's project will provide an introduction to HIA and tools to perform systematic transportation and public health HIAs.
- FHWA will develop What Works: Transportation and Public Health. This will be a web-based document that will demonstrate the critical function of transportation in providing essential health benefits to persons who use our facilities.
3. Partnerships
Federal Partnerships: Here are a few examples of partnerships the USDOT and FHWA have with Federal agencies:
- Public Health and Recreation MOU (with CDC and Federal Land Management Agencies)
- National Trails Training Partnership MOU (with Federal Land Management Agencies)
- National Scenic and Historic Trails MOU (with Federal Land Management Agencies)
- US Forest Service Technology and Development Center, to produce and provide many publications available to trail advocates through the Recreational Trails Program website.
- FHWA works with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on many educational and law enforcement initiatives to promote safer bicycling and walking.
- USDOT staff from FHWA, NHTSA, and OST meet monthly to discuss pedestrian and bicycle safety issues.
State and Local Government Partnerships: We meet routinely with:
- State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators (July 13-14, 2005)
- State Transportation Enhancement Managers (July 26-27, 2005)
- State Trail Administrators (September 20-22, 2005)
- State Scenic Byways Coordinators (October 16-19, 2005)
- Planners, Environmental specialists, Realty specialists, and others
Partnerships with Nongovernmental Organizations: We provide financial assistance to several organizations to provide technical assistance to the public:
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center: www.pedbikeinfo.org.
- Walking and Bicycling to School: www.walktoschool-usa.org.
- National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse, through the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: www.enhancements.org.
- National Trails Training Partnership, through American Trails: www.NTTP.net.
- America's Byways Resource Center, through the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, Duluth MN. www.byways.org and www.bywaysonline.org.
4. Shared Goals
We have a lot of goals in common with trail advocates and with our Federal and State partners, including the CDC and HUD here with me, but also with the Federal land management agencies.
Accommodation: The USDOT will continue to encourage States and localities to routinely accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists in all transportation plans, programs, and projects as part of everyday business. This includes access for people who have disabilities.
Safety: FHWA will continue to place a high priority on pedestrian safety in its strategic plan. FHWA also will continue to partner with NHTSA and other USDOT agencies.
Public Health: The USDOT is now working with the public health community to look at research and planning for infrastructure that can support active transportation.
Conclusion
As you can see, the reason transportation folks have a place at the picnic table is because we share a lot of common goals, plus, we have the Federal stewardship role and the funding.
FHWA is committed to providing active transport options throughout the nation and will continue to do so in the future.
Trails and nonmotorized transportation facilities are part of the solution.
FHWA Contact Information
Bicycle and Pedestrian Program: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped
Gabe Rousseau, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager
202-366-8044, gabe.rousseau@dot.gov
Bicycle and Pedestrian Publications: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/publications.htm
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, operated by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center: www.pedbikeinfo.org
Transportation Enhancement Activities: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/te
Christopher B Douwes, Trails and Enhancements Program Manager
202-366-5013; Fax 202-366-3409, christopher.douwes@fhwa.dot.gov
National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse, operated by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: www.enhancements.org
Recreational Trails Program: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails
Christopher B Douwes, Trails and Enhancements Program Manager
202-366-5013; Fax 202-366-3409, christopher.douwes@fhwa.dot.gov
Recreational Trails Program Publications: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/publications.htm
National Trails Training Partnership, operated by American Trails: www.NTTP.net.
National Trails System (National Park Service): www.nps.gov/nts/.
Project Examples
Recreational Trails Program: The Coalition for Recreational Trails Annual Awards Program recognizes exemplary RTP projects from across the country each year. Here are two from 2005. See more at www.americantrails.org/awards/CRTawards.html.
MKT Trailhead Project
Project sponsor: City of Columbia; MKT Trailhead Committee, Columbia Public Works Department, Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, Missouri
Award Category: Construction and Design (Trail-Related Facilities)
2005 Annual Achievement Award winner: for trail projects funded through the Recreational Trails Program of the Federal Highway Administration.
With a $40,000 RTP grant as initiative, Flat Branch Park was transformed from a polluted site to a beautiful trailhead park for the 8.9 mile city/ county MKT Trail. Amenities provided by in-house staff include bicycle racks, benches, tables and seating, gazebo, lighting, drinking fountain, sidewalks, landscaping, and historical plaques. The MKT Trailhead Committee, working with Public Works, and Parks and Recreation Departments, played an extraordinary role in fund raising grants and private donations.
The old industrial site was razed, contaminated soil removed, topsoil added, creek debris removed, and streambed restored with native limestone, and native plantings. The park provides green space for downtown Columbia and serves as a gathering place for special family events, outdoor movies, lunch concerts, a community "circus," and the annual Mayor's Challenge: Bike, Walk, and Wheel Week.
With access to the State managed 225-mile Katy Trail, Flat Branch Park serves the City of Columbia and Boone County, and has regional and State impacts, users being able to access local services.
River Bluff Trail Project
Project sponsor: Logansport Parks Department, Cass County Parks Department, Little Turtle Waterway, corporations and individuals in the community
Award Category: Construction & Design (Non-Motorized)
2005 Annual Achievement Award winner: for trail projects funded through the Recreational Trails Program of the Federal Highway Administration.
Initiated by a $150,000 RTP grant, the 1.3 mile, 10-foot wide paved and landscaped River Bluff Trail is constructed on donated land and abandoned railway along the Eel River.
The trail is designed for walking, running, biking, and in-line skating, with bridge overlooks, resting places, and a picnic area. The trail also features an accessible canoe/kayak launch.
The Memorial Hospital Foundation was chosen to spearhead this strategic initiative because it exists to provide direction and financial support for activities that promote health and wellness in the community. Logansport and Cass County Parks Departments and the Little Turtle Waterway, a local park and trails group, provided technical assistance.
Funding assistance for the over $910,000 total project came from corporate and individuals in the community.
Use has steadily increased and includes youth groups, schools, municipal agency training, group homes, and individuals. In addition to promoting physical health, the popularity of the trail has developed a community focal point, created much good will in the community, and improved the overall quality of life.
Transportation Enhancement Activities: The National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse maintains a TE project database and library at www.enhancements.org. There are hundreds of great examples across the country.
Stone Arch Bridge Rehabilitation
Minneapolis, MN
Over $2 million in TE funds have been used to restore the Stone Arch Bridge, a former railroad bridge crossing the only waterfall, Saint Anthony Falls, on the Mississippi River. The nationally registered historic bridge dates back to 1883 and is now used by pedestrians, bicyclists, and a short-line trolley. The Stone Arch Bridge is used daily by commuters and recreation seekers in Minneapolis, nearby suburbs, and the University of Minnesota. The bridge provides access to the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail, a two mile trail with an extensive array of interpretive and directional signs noting the early days of the city and the historic flour mill district. It is also one of many sites along the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. The restoration of the Stone Arch Bridge would not have been possible had it not been for the partnership between the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Historical Society and the local Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Board.
Greenbrier River Trail
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 The Greenbrier River |
 The Greenbrier Trail |
Primary contact information Greenbrier River Trail State Park |
Project Facts
Primary TE Activity: 8 |
