FHWA Rails-With-Trails Best Practices Report


The Rails-With-Trails Best Practices Report for the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration was initiated due to the rising number of trail projects in the United States that combine active rail corridors with multi use trail development, and the resulting safety concerns among trail advocates and railroad industry. A safety and design analysis of over 20 existing and proposed rails-with-trails projects is a component of this study. This two year study included: (1) extensive before and after study of rails-with-trails project sites; (2) analysis of safety measures and their effectiveness; (3) analysis of the effects of trail development on trespassing and vandalism; and (4) research on the liability aspects of rail-with-trail projects. The resulting Rails-With-Trails Best Practices Report can be found at http://www.railstotrails.org. Landis Evans + Partners, formerly Sprinkle Consulting, was a major subconsultant on this study.