External link: http://www.railstotrails.org/resource-library/resources/active-transportation-beyond-urban-centers-report/

Publication date: January 31, 2012

Capsule summary: This report summarized multiple case studies on active transportation programs and the benefits of implementing active transportation infrastructure in rural America.

Author(s): Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Publisher(s): Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Definition: Examining the public health impacts of transportation
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/research-themes/public-health
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://trid.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:TTus
TRT Search Results Page: http://trt.trb.org/trt.asp?NN=Ttus

Definition: Planning practices for pedestrians, bikes and transit
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/research-theme/bikeped/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://trid.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:Aex
TRT Search Results Page: https://trt.trb.org/trt.asp?NN=Aex

Definitions: The movement of people
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/mode/personal/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://trid.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:Ajp
TRT Search Results Page: https://trt.trb.org/trt.asp?NN=Ajp

Definitions: Transportation on foot
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/mode/personal/pedestrian/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://trid.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:Mwx
TRT Search Results Page: https://trt.trb.org/trt.asp?NN=Mwx

Definitions: Transportation by bicycle
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/mode/personal/bicycle/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://trid.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:Bmbd
TRT Search Results Page: https://trt.trb.org/trt.asp?NN=Bmbd

Definition: A federally funded transportation policy-making organization, comprised of local government representatives and transportation authorities
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/org/mpo/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://pubsindex.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:Nggks
TRT Search Results Page: https://trt.trb.org/trt.asp?NN=Nggks

Definition: Administrative subdivision of a state
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/org/county/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://pubsindex.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:Ngdhc
TRT Search Results Page: https://trt.trb.org/trt.asp?NN=Ngdhc

Definition: A large urban area
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/org/city/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://pubsindex.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:Ngdhs
TRT Search Results Page: https://trt.trb.org/trt.asp?NN=Ngdhs

Definition: Report published by a governmental body or other organization (e.g. FHWA, NAS, etc.)
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/resource-type/report/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: n/a
TRT Search Results Page: n/a

Description: Active transportation, biking and walking, has shown better overall health, economic opportunities, improved environment, and social improvements in metropolitan areas. This research focuses on travel data in rural communities and the comparable volume of rural active commuters to urban active commuters.

Objectives: The research aims to identify potential benefits of investing in rural active transportation infrastructure, by analyzing three federal programs and other rural infrastructure case studies. The research focused on bicycle and walking traffic as the main active transportation modes, and the additional potential benefits for the town’s small businesses.

Findings: The case studies analyzed by this research project found that there is a prevalent demand for non-vehicular transportation outside of major cities, and that there is a lack of federal funding to support rural towns’ active transportation popularity. In addition, multiple case studies show that rural project costs are cost-effective solutions to improving the safety, and quality of life for active citizens.

Recommendations: This report encourages further federal program funding towards active transportation infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists in small town, rural communities in addition to large cities. For rural America, this cost-effective infrastructure solves the issues of affordable transportation, changing demographics, obesity and economic develop.

Research Theme: Planning for Pedestrians, Bikes, and Transit, Public Health

Community Type:

Transportation Mode: Bicycle, Pedestrian, Personal

Planning Scope:

Organization Type: City, County, MPO or RPO

Planning Subject: