Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is leading a national study to better understand the barriers to trail use with a particular focus on race and gender. Our research is built upon regional and national survey instruments developed and implemented over the past 18 months, with a goal of better understanding how the trails movement can support efforts to bring more […]

Whether you are building a new trail or already maintaining one, it is critical to determine your maintenance costs. All maintenance issues need to flow from costs, because without them, you cannot determine accurately if your practices and methods are cost-effective. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has created this peer reviewed worksheet to enable you to capture your […]

Executive Summary THE GREAT AMERICAN RAIL-TRAIL VISION Imagine pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects you to historic routes from coast to coast. You’re enthralled in the experience of exploring America’s heritage—its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the intimacy […]

Rails-with-trails (RWTs) – shared-use paths alongside or within active railroad corridors – are being developed in communities across the U.S. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has studied and tracked RWT development since 1996, when 37 RWTs were identified. Today, there are 399 known RWTs in 47 states, with more being planned across the country. In 2013, RTC published […]

Executive Summary The 30th Street Industrial Corridor has a rich history as an industrial and manufacturing employment hub west and northwest of downtown Milwaukee, particularly for Milwaukee’s African American community. The neighborhoods that grew as a result of the postwar economic boom once had one of the highest standards of living for African Americans in […]

Updated Nov. 30, 2020 The Approach This strategic plan contains a set of principles, analyses and strategies that will guide Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) in its mission to build a nation connected by trails during a time of unprecedented challenge and opportunity. This plan seeks to evaluate the opportunities of the current moment and anticipate the […]

This is a collection of terms relating to the work of equity within the trails movement. The document provides definitions of terms like equity, equality, diversity, inclusion, cultural competence and equitable development. The definitions have been compiled from different cited sources.

New England Rail-Trail Spine Network The New England Rail-Trail Spine Network initiative was launched in March 2019 during a two-day regional meeting on multiuse trail development and policy in New Hampshire. Held at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Cardigan Mountain Lodge in Alexandria, the regional meeting included 12 New England experts on bicycle/pedestrian issues and multipurpose […]

FY 2019 TrADE Report Key findings of our FY 2019 report: Executive Summary The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) is the largest dedicated source of funding for trails, walking and biking in the United States. Since 1991, this program, formerly known as Transportation Enhancements (TE), has transformed the landscape of the country. Under the program, states […]

Join trail professionals from around the United States for an in-depth discussion around data collection along trails. Panelists share how they have developed trail traffic monitoring programs, on the local, regional and national level, as well as how they are collecting more detailed information about who is using their trails. The discussion includes a focus […]