Guidance and Information
The following guidance will help States and project sponsors meet Recreational Trail Program (RTP) requirements and provide best practices for trail accessibility, and trail design, construction, and maintenance.
See also:
Recreational Trails Program Guidance
This program guidance explains Recreational Trails Program (RTP) policies and procedures including State Recreational Trail Advisory Committee requirements, project eligibility requirements, and other Federal requirements. Although issued as Interim Guidance, it is still in effect.
Related Guidance and Information
- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's (ACHP) Guidance on Section 106 Agreement Documents
- A Guide to Transportation Decisionmaking
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) created A Guide to Transportation Decisionmaking to answer transportation project-related questions.
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Guidance
Promotes bicycle and pedestrian transportation accessibility, use, and safety. Also provides additional links to Bicycle and Pedestrian Publications and Resources.
- Bicycle Facilities and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
Responses to inquiries about bicycle facilities permitted by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Equestrian and Other Nonmotorized Use on Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities
- USDA Forest Service Standard Trail Plans and Specifications
- FHWA Order 6640.1A: FHWA Policy on Permissible Project Related Activities During the NEPA Process (October 1, 2010)
- Manuals and Guides for Trail Design, Construction, Maintenance, and Operation, and for Signs
- Bollards, Gates, and Other Barriers describes problems that may result from installing bollards, gates, and other barriers.
- What Kind of Barrier Will Keep Cars Off a Bike Path?
- Presentation: Bicycle Path Entry Control. (Ed Cox, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, City of Sacramento, CA and Maggie O'Mara, Senior Transportation Engineer, California Department of Transportation)
This presentation discusses methods to control entry to shared use paths. It considers issues related to bollards, gates, and other barriers. It looks at examples and discusses what works well and what doesn't.
Disclaimer: This presentation is provided in the interest of information exchange, and reflects the views of the authors. Providing this resource does not necessarily represent endorsement by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Presentation: Designing for Nonmotorists. Presented at the FHWA Field Engineers Learning & Development Seminar, April 20, 2010, Dallas TX.
- Preventive Maintenance Eligibility
- Shared Use Paths Along or Near Freeways and Bicycles on Freeways
- Snow Removal on Sidewalks Constructed with Federal Funding
- Statewide Transportation Planning; Metropolitan Transportation Planning; Final Rule (effective March 16, 2007)
- TrailLink 2005, Federal Highway Administration Presentation
Cynthia J Burbank, Associate Administrator for Planning, Environment, and Realty
- Transportation Enhancement Activities Guidance
- Youth Service and Conservation Corps: MAP-21 Section 1524 requires the US Department of Transportation to encourage States and regional transportation planning agencies to use qualified youth service and conservation corps to perform appropriate transportation-related projects.