General Resources
Economic Benefit of Trails
This fact sheet from the American Hiking Society gives an overview of the economic benefit of trails.
Economic Benefit of Trails (PDF, 163KB)
Impacts of Trails & Trail Use
This American Trails website contains a number of studies on the impacts of trails and greenways, surveys of outdoor recreation activities, and research on adjacent landowner concerns and property values, including research concerning crime and trails.
Impacts of Trails & Trail Use (URL)
Misconceptions: Crime
The report "Cars and Crime" is a comprehensive response to common misconceptions related to multi-use paths and is a study done on crimes in New York City's Prospect Park by Transportation Alternatives.
Misconceptions: Crime (PDF, 22KB)
Annual Trails Report: City of San Jose, California
This is the 2011-2012 report of the Trail Program in San Jose, CA that has developed a 100-mile trail network comprised of 32 individual trail systems as defined by the Greenprint and consistent with the Mayor and City Council's Green Vision.
Annual Trails Report: City of San Jose, CA 2011- 12 (URL)
Map Sample: Overton-Broad Connector
The Overton-Broad Connector is a premier example of a safe and innovative bicycle/pedestrian facility and urban art trail which serves as a catalyst for urban revitalization and business development in Memphis, TN. Map created by Livable Memphis.
Overton-Broad Connector (PDF, 4.5 MB)
Planning, Design and Engineering
Trail Development Process
Helpful flowchart outlining the process of the six major steps to developing a San Jose Trail.
Trail Development Process (PDF)
A Longitudinal Trail Research Program on Soil Stabilizers
The purpose of this 1999 study from the National Center on Assessibility was to compare the effectiveness of surface treatments for creating a trail accessible to people with mobility impairments.
A Longitudinal Trail Research Program on Soil Stabilizers (URL)
Alternative Paving Materials
This site maintained by Clearn Air Counts contains a list of various paving materials and techniques which can be made lighter in color and, therefore, cooler. Information also includes their cost and service life.
Alternative Paving Materials (URL)
Accessibility Recommendations
A 2007 extended presentation covering aspects of trail design in line with ADA standards:
Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Access on Paved Bikeways (PDF, 2.8 MB)
Designing Sidewalks and Trails
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has several publications related to greenway trails including at the website for its Bicycle and Pedestrian Program:
Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access Part I (URL)
Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access Part II (URL)
Sidepath Suitability Calculator
The League of Illinois Bicyclists has a unique sidepath suitability calculator on their website.
Sidepath Suitability Calculator (URL)
Sidepath Technical Sheet
The Active Transportation Alliance has a thorough publication on special considerations related to sidepaths, written by Randy Neuefeld and Terri Musser.
Sidepath Technical Sheet (PDF, 7 MB)
Partner Organizations
This website, maintained by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, is an excellent resource on everything you need to know about trail development. Resource topics include: benefits of trails and greenways, trail and greenway development, online manuals, reports and fact sheets.American Trails
This website is an excellent online resource for trail manager, builders, advocates, and users.American Trails Website (URL)
Pedestrian and Bicycling Information Center
The Pedestrian and Bicycling Information Center (PBIC) has some information at its biyclinginfo.org website. Note that it is best to type "greenways" into their search engine
Northeast Greenway Solutions is a small consulting firm located in Massachusetts that aids communities considering trail development. NEGS partners with local NGO's and grassroots trails organizations to bring creative ideas and solutions to communities. (URL)Northeast Greenway Solutions
