U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Federal Railroad Administration National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Federal Transit Administration

Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned Literature Review, Current Practices, Conclusions August 2002 FTA-MA-26-0052-04-1

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Foreword

This report has been prepared at the direction of the U.S. Department of Transportation for the purpose of examining safety, design, and liability issues associated with the development of shared use paths and other trails within or adjacent to active railroad and transit rights-of-way. This document is intended to explore lessons learned from the experience of rails-with-trails (RWTs), and suggest practices to enhance safety and security for railroads, transit, and trail users.

The U.S. Department of Transportation does not actively promote RWT projects, but recognizes that RWTs already exist and that more are being planned and implemented. This report provides information for public agencies, railroads, legal interests, and trail organizations to make informed decisions.

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof.

The contents of this report reflect the view of the contractor, who is responsible for the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Department of Transportation.

This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers' names appear herein only because they are considered essential to the object of this document.

PREPARED BY:

Alta Planning + Design

Mia L. Birk (Project Manager)

Michael G. Jones

Philip K. Miller

George M. Hudson, RLA

Joshua Abrams

Daniel Lerch

IN ASSOCIATION WITH:

Andrea Ferster, Esq.

Sprinkle Consulting

Jennifer Toole, AICP

Charles Denney, AICP

Texas Transportation Institute

Michele Brown

Jessica Franklin

ENSCO, Inc.

Eric Keller, PE

Rick Tannahill, PE

Karl Morell, Ball Janik LLP

CASE STUDY SUPPORT:
Peggy Gentry, Chapin Land Management, Inc.
Craig della Penna, Railroad Services Inc., Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Suzan Pinsof

PRODUCTION SUPPORT:
Architecture 21
Grapheon Design
Terri Musser, Bicycles Etc.

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