Meridian RWT - Presentation to Parks CommissionUPRR Rail with Trail Study
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Project Area and Overview
Rail with Trail Systems
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Pedestrian Crossing
Environmental Resources
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Pedestrian Crossing
Ten Mile Road (inside railroad right-of-way)
Rail with Trail Systems
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Pedestrian Crossing
Environmental Resources
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Pedestrian Crossing
Ten Mile Road (outside railroad right-of-way)
Rail with Trail Systems
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Pedestrian Crossing
Plan View
Rail with Trail Systems
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Pedestrian Crossing
Typical Section
Rail with Trail Systems
Questions
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Pedestrian Crossing
At-grade Crossing
Black Cat Road
Ten Mile Road
Linder Road
Meridian Road
Main Street
3rd Street
Locust Grove Road
*Assumes cost for ROW
Rail with Trail Systems
Questions
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Pedestrian Crossing
Environmental Resources
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Pedestrian Crossing
Above and Below Grade
Rail with Trail Systems
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Environmental Resources
Cultural Resources
Rail with Trail Systems
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Environmental Resources
Wetlands
Rail with Trail Systems
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Environmental Resources
Wildlife: Threatened and Endangered Species
Rail with Trail Systems
Questions
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Pedestrian Crossing
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(a) Purpose- Encourage land owners to make land available to public without charge by limiting liability.
(b) Definitions- “Land” means private or public land… trails… and machinery
or equipment when attached to or used on the realty.
(c) Owner exempt from warning- Land owner owes no duty to keep premises safe by installing signs or providing warning.
(d) Owner
assumes no liability- Owner of land who permits use of land without charge does not have to assure that premises are safe, confer legal status or licensee, or assume responsibility or
incur liability for any injury to person or property.
(e) Provisions apply to leased public land.
(f) Provisions apply to land subject to a conservation easement.
(g) Owner not required
to keep land safe- Owner not required to care for ground, relieve any person using the land, or apply for compensation permit.
(h) User liable for damages- Any person using the land,
with or without permission, is liable for any damage to property.
Rail with Trail Systems
Idaho Recreational Use Statute (§36-1604)
Project Area
Pedestrian Crossing
Rail with Trail Systems
Questions
Environmental Resources
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Rail with Trail Systems
Safety
Since 2011 there have been 1,590 trespasser deaths in rail corridors.1
Since 1992 only one death of a trail user on a rail-with-trail.2
1Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Safety Analysis. “Trespasser Deaths by Calendar Year.” http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety/publicsite/Query/castally4.aspx
2Pack,
Kelly and Pat Tomes. (2013). America’s Rails with Trails. Washington, D.C.: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. file:///C:/Users/hboekweg/Downloads/2014.06.%20Rail-with-TrailList.pdf.
Camp Chase Rail-Trail, Columbus, OH
Camp Chase Rail-Trail, Columbus, OH
Project Area
Pedestrian Crossing
Rail with Trail Systems
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Environmental Resources
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1 fatality and 2 injuries on RWT in 20 years.
Fatality occurred on the South Bay Trail in Bellingham, Washington.
The cyclist did not slow or attempt to stop at a 90-degree track crossing,
which included a railroad warning sign, a ‘cross-buck’ symbolic sign, and a stop sign.
A lawsuit was filed, and neither the railroad or the trail manager were found to be liable, and
the court specifically noted that the trail crossing had in fact improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists.1
1 Estate of Haykin v. City of Bellingham, No. 67713-6-I (Wash App. Div. 1, Oct. 15, 2012) (unpublished opinion)
Rail with Trail Systems
Safety
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Rail with Trail Systems
Liability
Of 88 trail managers, seven had claims filed for trail conditions. No claims were filed against the railroad. 1
The Yampa River Core Trail in CO cited claims made due to injuries sustained
by trail users going down grades at railroad underpasses.
On the Gary L. Haller Trail in KS, a trail user was injured when he ran into the railroad’s gate blocking one of the tunnel
crossings. Even though the railroad was negligent (the gate was left open by the railroad), the city paid the settlement claim because the railroad was indemnified.
1 Pack, Kelly and Pat Tomes. (2013). America’s Rails with Trails. Washington, D.C.: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. file:///C:/Users/hboekweg/Downloads/2014.06.%20Rail-with-TrailList.pdf.
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Pedestrian Crossing
Rail with Trail Systems
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Environmental Resources
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Rail with Trail Systems
Trespassing, Vandalism, Dumping
RWT’s provide safe and intentional alternatives to trespassing on tracks.
Pedestrian crossings will be designed to avoid vehicle railroad conflicts.
“…construction of a trail leads to decreases in the occurrence of trespassing and illegal dumping, while the presence of trail users can deter crimes such as vandalism.” 1
1Pack, Kelly and Pat Tomes. (2013). America’s Rails with Trails. Washington, D.C.: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. file:///C:/Users/hboekweg/Downloads/2014.06.%20Rail-with-TrailList.pdf.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail- Southside, PA
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Rail with Trail Systems
Rails-with-Trails
As of June 2014, 217 rails-with-trails (RWT) in 42 states.1
1Rails-to-trails Conservancy (2014). “Rail-with-Trail List.” Rails-to-trails Conservancy. file:///C:/Users/hboekweg/Downloads/2014.06.%20Rail-with-TrailList.pdf.
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After construction, opposition is significantly reduced from 19% to 6%. 1
Rail with Trail Systems
Before and After Development
51%
30%
19%
43%
29%
22%
6%
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Pedestrian Crossing
Rail with Trail Systems
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Environmental Resources
1Pack, Kelly and Pat Tomes. (2013). America’s Rails with Trails. Washington, D.C.: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. file:///C:/Users/hboekweg/Downloads/2014.06.%20Rail-with-TrailList.pdf.
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Rail with Trail Systems
Offset Distance
60% of trails were equal to or less than 30 feet from railroad tracks.1
63% of the 88 examined trails have more than half of their length along active railroads, with the range of RWT
length varying between 0.07-22 miles.1
1Pack, Kelly and Pat Tomes. (2013). America’s Rails with Trails. Washington, D.C.: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. file:///C:/Users/hboekweg/Downloads/2014.06.%20Rail-with-TrailList.pdf.
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Schuylkill River Trail, PA
Schuylkill River Trail, PA
Springwater Corridor, OR
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Rail with Trail Systems
Successful Rail with Trails
Name: D & L Trail- Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail, Carbon and Luzerne counties, PA
Description: 25.7-miles (7 miles located next to active railroad)
Design: Where parallel to tracks,
trail is grade-separated or has dense barrier of native vegetation.
Interesting Fact: Revenue of $6 million to community
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Name: Richmond Greenway, Richmond, CA
Description: 2.8-mile long (1.3 miles located next to active railroad)
Design: 8 feet wide with one railroad crossing and a grade-separated
bridge. Continuous fencing minimizes potential interactions between trail users and trains.
Interesting Fact: The regional transit trains adjacent to this trail use an electrified
third rail.
Rail with Trail Systems
Successful Rail with Trails
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Name: Camp Chase Rail-Trail, Columbus, OH
Description: 5.5-mile long (entire length located parallel to active railroad)
Design: 12 feet wide
Interesting Fact: The trail agency
acquired a fee simple purchase of property from the rail for $750,000. The railroad stipulated that the trail be built at least 20 feet from the edge of the rail.
Rail with Trail Systems
Successful Rail with Trails
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Name: Mason Trail, Fort Collins, CO
Description: 4.5 miles long and runs on the western side of a rail corridor for most of the route.
Design: 12 feet wide, with 6-foot high wooden
rail fences with mesh covering.
Interesting Fact:11-20 trains per day traveling between 30-40 mph.
Rail with Trail Systems
Successful Rail with Trails
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Pedestrian Crossing
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Questions
Thank you for your time!
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Pedestrian Crossing
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