Rails-to-Trails Campaign
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy advocacy organization is spearheading a national movement called the 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation, which aims to double federal funding for trails, walking and biking.
In June 2008, MARC worked with local partners to draft and submit a case statement on how more funding for active transportation could benefit the Kansas City region by playing a larger role in meeting mobility needs.
Background
According to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, active transportation includes any method of travel that is human-powered, but most commonly refers to walking and bicycling. Many communities are promoting active transportation as an integral part of life.
The 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation builds on the success of the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program in SAFETEA-LU, which funded projects in several communities nationwide — including Columbia, Mo. — that demonstrate the strength of interconnecting active transportation systems.
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy aims to grow this program to dozens of communities in the next transportation bill, with each site seeking $50 million over six years to support strategic investments in active transportation systems and supporting programs.
Read the case statement
MARC’s case statement offers a comprehensive regional program with investments in infrastructure, education and enforcement to increase safety, and evaluation to demonstrate results. It focuses on regional corridors tied to public transit and would improve non-motorized access to activity centers such as schools. It incorporates both the MetroGreen® trails and greenway plan and the Smart Moves regional transit plan.
The case statement also identifies two regional corridor demonstration projects:
- Turkey Creek Corridor (I-35)
- Rock Island Railroad corridor, Pleasant Hill to Kansas City, near the Truman Sports Complex
Case statement documents: