CONTRIBUTORS:

Tyler Hemby, Elizabeth Anderson,

Lauren Frazer, and Azeem

Ahmed

AUBURN AND OPELIKA RAILS-WITH-TRAILS

DR. NANETTE CHADWICKDIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS

AND ASSOOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

AUBURN UNIVERSITY

STUDENT REPORTSUST 5000

SENIOR CAPSTONE IN SUSTAINABILITYSPRING 2014

Similar to “Rails-to-Trails” concept

Located along active rail lines for part or all of the trail

Wide range of designsHave been around for 20

yearsGrowing in popularity across

the country 161 trails in 41 states

RAILS-WITH-TRAILS OVERVIEW

RAILS-WITH-TRAILS MAP

Coming soon!

TRAIL ACQUISITION AND RAIL TYPES

Source: http://www.railstotrails.org/ourWork/reports/railwithtrail/report.html

RAILROAD ATTITUDES TOWARD TRAILS

Source:http://www.railstotrails.org/ourWork/reports/railwithtrail/report.html

RAILS-WITH-TRAILS TRAIL HEAD WITH PARKING

RAILS-WITH-TRAILSALONG A FORESTED ROUTE

Creation of a bike trail from Auburn to Opelika will enhance:

Non-motorized transportation, reduce congestion along Opelika Rd Health and fitness opportunities, exercise optionsConnectivity between cities, create tourist attraction linking the citiesEconomic development: increase access to businesses along trail, increase real estate values; trail as a special amenity for homesRevitalization plan for Opelika RoadHistoric preservation, especially of Auburn Train DepotBiker and pedestrian safety along corridorWildlife viewing and conservation (creek crossing) Possibilities for expansion of bike lane / trail / walkway connections within 2 cities

BENEFITS OF RAILS-WITH-TRAILS

[MAP]Trail length = 6.6 miles= Major road

= Minor road= Creek= Rail line

OPELIKA TRAILHEAD

AUBURN TRAILHEAD

TYPICAL PATH SECTION

Most frequent concerns of rail companiesTrail removes risk of unauthorized rail corridor use Removes dangers of cycling/walking near automobile trafficDealing with safety concerns:

Setback from rails Fence/barrier construction

Dealing with liability concerns: Recreational Use Statute (All states have; Protects land owner from legal

liability for accidents on property by users for recreational purposes) Can transfer liability to a trail management organization

Purchase Insurance to cover liability costs from claims Indemnification: organization agrees to pay any liability costs

Great track record in RWT safety Only 2 injuries and 1 fatality in 20 years

SAFETY/LIABILITY

CitiesAuburn City PlannersOpelika City PlannersOpelika Main StreetAuburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau

Railroad Owner – CSX

LONG-TERM STAKEHOLDERS

During Spring 2014: Justin Steinmann, Principal Planner (Auburn) Tyler Caldwell, Planner (Auburn) Scott Parker, City Engineer (Opelika) Shirley Lazenby, Opelika Bicycle Advisory Committee

Interest from all parties involvedComments from stakeholders:

Connections to parks and other existing infrastructure Costs of maintenance and patrol Concerns with the efficacy and feasibility of permeable

pavement (optional pavement type)

MEETINGS HELD WITH STAKEHOLDERS

Local OrganizationsAuburn Bicycle Committee

East Alabama Cycling Club

Food Bank of East Alabama

EAMCEtc.

Locally owned businessesThe Bike Shop James Bro BikesDayspring Nature Shoppe

EarthfareBusinesses along corridor

ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESS STAKEHOLDERS

Bike Bash 2014 - April 12th

CYCLISTS: SURVEY RESULTS

SURVEY

SURVEY

COST ESTIMATE

Construction Component Measurement Amount Cost Total Cost

Temporary Erosion Control LF 34,848 $ 10.00

$ 348,480.00

Automated Road Crossing System EA 4 $ 5,000.00

$ 20,000.00

Non-Automated Crossing EA 8 $ 1,000.00

$ 8,000.00

At-grade Rail Crossing System EA 1 $ 80,000.00

$ 80,000.00

Permeable Pavement Path LF 34,848

$ 20.00

$ 696,960.00

3 to 4 Foot Safety Fencing SQF 34,848

$ 8.00

$ 278,784.00

20' L x 12' W Prefabricated Bridge EA 1 $ 60,000.00

$ 60,000.00

Misc. Landscaping (Including lighting) $ 300,000.00

$ 1,792,224.00

Non-Government Organizations People For Bikes Local bike clubs Capital Improvements

ProjectsGovernment Organizations

Department for Transportation

Federal Highway Admin (FHWA)

Community Development Block Grants

Land and Water Conservation Fund

Resources that can be used to partially fund the project and assist in its development

FUNDING RESOURCES

Expansion of connections: Kroger shopping center Earthfare shopping center Local parks Other venues

Length expansion: Extend trail in both cities

POSSIBILITIES FOR EXPANSION

Environmental benefits Less fossil fuel use

Vehicles are 34.9% of oil consumption Double usage of a transport corridor

Community benefits Person-to-person connection Health and fitness Safe recreation Increased food security

Economic benefits Greater consumer access Local construction and materials Bicycle tourism

THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE

QUESTIONS?

Coveney, J., & O'Dwyer, L. A. (2009). Effects of mobility and location on food access. Health & Place, 15, 45-55.

Edwards, Andrés. (2010). Thriving beyond sustainability: Pathways to a resilient society. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers.

Flusche, D. (2012). Bicycling means business: the economic benefits of bicycle infrastructure. Retrieved February 10, 2014 from <http://www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/Final_Econ_Update%28small%29.pdf>

Higgins, P. A. T., & Higgins, M. (2005). A healthy reduction in oil consumption and carbon emissions. Energy Policy, 33, 1-4.

Jacobsen, P. L., Racioppi, F., & Rutter, H. (2009). Who owns the roads? How motorised traffic discourages walking and bicycling. Injury Prevention, 15, 369-373.

Rails-to-trails Conservancy. (2000). Rails-with-trails: Design, management, and operating characteristics of 61 trails along active railroads. Retrieved from <http://www.railstotrails.org/resources/documents/resource_docs/Rails-with-Trails%20Report%20reprint_1-06_lr.pdf>

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. (2010). Nevada stateline-to-stateline bikeway project feasibility study report.

U.S. Department of Transportation. (2002). Rails-with-Trails: Lessons learned. Retrieved from <http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/publications/safety/RailsWithTrails/HTML/RailsWithTrails.htm#Roadway%20crossing%20type%201>

World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Our common future. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

REFERENCES