AUBURN AND OPELIKA RAILSWITHTRAILS DR NANETTE CHADWICK DIRECTOR

AUBURN AND OPELIKA RAILS-WITH-TRAILS DR. NANETTE CHADWICK DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS AND ASSOOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AUBURN UNIVERSITY STUDENT REPORT SUST 5000 SENIOR CAPSTONE IN SUSTAINABILITY SPRING 2014 CONTRIBUTORS: Tyler Hemby, Elizabeth Anderson, Lauren Frazer, and Azeem Ahmed

RAILS-WITH-TRAILS OVERVIEW Similar to “Rails-to-Trails” concept Located along active rail lines for part or all of the trail Wide range of designs Have been around for 20 years Growing in popularity across the country § 161 trails in 41 states

RAILS-WITH-TRAILS MAP

TRAIL ACQUISITION AND RAIL TYPES Coming soon! Source: http: //www. railstotrails. org/our. Work/report s/railwithtrail/report. html

RAILROAD ATTITUDES TOWARD TRAILS http: //www. railstotrails. org/our. Work/reports/railwithtrail/report. html

RAILS-WITH-TRAILS TRAIL HEAD WITH PARKING

RAILS-WITH-TRAILS ALONG A FORESTED ROUTE

BENEFITS OF RAILS-WITH-TRAILS Creation of a bike trail from Auburn to Opelika will enhance: Non-motorized transportation, reduce congestion along Opelika Rd Health and fitness opportunities, exercise options Connectivity between cities, create tourist attraction linking the cities Economic development: increase access to businesses along trail, increase real estate values; trail as a special amenity for homes Revitalization plan for Opelika Road Historic preservation, especially of Auburn Train Depot Biker and pedestrian safety along corridor Wildlife viewing and conservation (creek crossing) Possibilities for expansion of bike lane / trail / walkway connections within 2 cities

[MAP] Trail length = = Major road = Minor road = Creek = Rail line 6. 6 miles

OPELIKA TRAILHEAD

AUBURN TRAILHEAD

TYPICAL PATH SECTION

SAFETY/LIABILITY Most frequent concerns of rail companies Trail removes risk of unauthorized rail corridor use Removes dangers of cycling/walking near automobile traffic Dealing 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

LONG-TERM STAKEHOLDERS Cities § Auburn City Planners § Opelika Main Street § Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau Railroad Owner – CSX

MEETINGS HELD WITH 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 involved Comments 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)

ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESS STAKEHOLDERS Local Organizations § Auburn Bicycle Committee § East Alabama Cycling Club § Food Bank of East Alabama § EAMC § Etc. Locally owned businesses § The Bike Shop § James Bro Bikes § Dayspring Nature Shoppe § Earthfare § Businesses along corridor

CYCLISTS: SURVEY RESULTS Bike Bash 2014 - April 12 t h

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 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 $ 300, 000. 00 Misc. Landscaping (Including lighting) $ 1, 792, 224. 00

FUNDING RESOURCES Non-Government Organizations Resources that can be used to partially fund the project and assist in its development § People For Bikes § Local bike clubs § Capital Improvements Projects Government Organizations § Department for Transportation § Federal Highway Admin (FHWA) § Community Development Block Grants § Land Water Conservation Fund

POSSIBILITIES FOR EXPANSION Expansion of connections: § § Kroger shopping center Earthfare shopping center Local parks Other venues Length expansion: § Extend trail in both cities

THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE 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

QUESTIONS?

REFERENCES 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%28 s mall%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%20 Report%20 reprint_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: //transitsafety. volpe. dot. gov/publications/safety/Rails. With. Trails/HTML/Rails. With. Trails. ht m#Roadway%20 crossing%20 type%201> World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Our common future. Oxford: Oxford University Press.