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:

Accessibility Guidance
Financial Management Guidance
State Practices
FHWA Policy and Guidance Center: The PGC provides a central location of laws, policies, and guidance about the Federal-aid Highway Program (FAHP).
Federal-aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies
Federal-aid Essentials offers a central online library of informational videos and resources, designed specifically for local public agencies. Each video addresses a single topic-condensing the complex regulations and requirements of the Federal-aid Highway Program into easy-to-understand concepts and illustrated examples.

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.

Transportation Alternatives Guidance (FAST Act)
Recreational Trails Program section of TA guidance
- RTP Administrative Costs
- RTP Education Costs
- RTP Suballocation Requirement
Recreational Trails Program Guidance (1999) (HTML)
This version incorporates updated information and corrections.
RTP Trail Assessments, Education and Training, and State Administrative Costs
RTP Federal Share and Matching Requirements
Original Memorandum dated April 1, 1999
- Recreational Trails Program Guidance (1999) (PDF - 251 KB)
  ARCHIVE FILE. FHWA issued the original RTP guidance April 1, 1999. This PDF has revisions and corrections as of August 1, 1999. Please use the HTML for the most up-to-date guidance.
- RTP Q&A under MAP-21 [ARCHIVE FILE]
Youth Service and Conservation Corps Q&A
- Youth Workforce Development Resources

Related Information

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.
- Part 1: Policy, Planning, Programs, and Provisions for Pedal-Power, Pedestrians, and Paths
- Part 2: Highway and Street Facilities
- Part 3: Shared Use Paths
- Part 4: Recreational Trails
- Part 5: Resources
Preventive Maintenance Eligibility
Shared Use Paths Along or Near Freeways and Bicycles on Freeways
Snow Removal on Sidewalks Constructed with Federal Funding
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.