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America's Rails-with-Trails: Safe, Common, and Growing Format: 90 minute panel Abstract: Rails-with-trails (RWTs) - shared-use paths alongside or within active railroad corridors - are being developed in communities across the U.S. Trail managers and rail operators discuss challenges and factors that facilitate successful, safe and accessible co-location of rail and trail facilities. Presenters: Presenter: Kelly Pack Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Co-Presenter: Thomas Baxter Friends of the Riverfront Co-Presenter: Jerry Walls FAICP, Chairman, SEDA COG Joint Rail Authority Board
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RAILS WITH TRAILS DESIGN STANDARDS
SEDA COG RAIL AUTHORITY Jerry Walls, FAICP, Board Chairman
SEDA-COG JOINT RAIL AUTHORITY
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SEDA-COG JOINT RAIL AUTHORITY
• 8 County Authority formed under legal authorization of the PA Municipality Authorities Act of 1945
• JRA owns 5 freight railroads in Centre, Clinton, Mifflin, Juniata, Lycoming, Union, Columbia, Montour, and Northumberland counties of central PA
• Each Member County appoints 2 voting members to JRA Board of Directors
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SEDA-COG JOINT RAIL AUTHORITY
• Structure is Public – Private – Partnership (JRA owns all land and infrastructure including tracks, bridges, rail yards, engine houses and miscellaneous buildings)
• JRA contracts with Private Railroad Operating Company to supply Crew + Locomotives + Specialty Rail Cars + Maintenance Equipment and Conduct Train Operations
• JRA contracts with Private Railroad Operating Company to provide Customer Service, Marketing and Routine Annual Maintenance according to JRA Track Standards (which are higher than FRA)
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SEDA COG Joint Rail Authority Rails With Trails Policy
• Standard R/W is 30-33 feet from track centerline • Where the Authority R/W extends beyond 30-33 feet and there is no other parallel track, a trail may be considered • If accepted by the Authority, separation by a chain link fence (minimum 60 inches high) installed no less than 25 feet from track center shall be required.
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Rails With Trails Design Standards
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SEDA COG Joint Rail Authority Rails With Trails Policy – Exceptions
If Trail Does NOT Meet Standard
• A constriction with no other reasonable option, then the standards may be relaxed for an extremely limited distance. • The exemption will be of a longitudinal distance no greater than 400 yards, and not less than 25 feet separation distance with a fence or vegetative barrier required. • Special exceptions for a separation distance of 20 feet will be considered by the JRA on a case-by-case basis. 7
Approach to Railroad Owner
Learn which type of railroad owner you must deal with:
•Class One Railroad (national / multi-state ownership) •Regional Railroad (may be multi-state system ownership) •Shortline Railroad (ownership typically local) •Understand the Railroad Management Structure – start at senior management level and try to find sympathetic ear, if possible
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Trail Negotiation with Railroad
• Understand WHO owns the railroad
• Understand WHO owns the Right of Way
• Learn if a Railbanking Agreement exists
• Review that Agreement
• Make contact with RR Management BEFORE publicity on the proposed Trail
• Check whether your state laws provide protection for railroads from recreational use and/or trespass
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Trail Negotiation with Railroad
• Offer meaningful involvement of Railroad in Trail route planning
• Conduct interaction with mutual respect
• Understand that Railroads are primary target for lawsuits so they ARE DEFENSIVE
• JRA examples (ATVs riding on R/W after dark and hitting equipment; injuries to trespassers)
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Trail Negotiation with Railroad
• Allow generous time for Railroad to review Trail route and design
• Identify need for essential at-grade crossings
• Avoid at-grade crossings when possible
• Design for prevention of ATV access onto Railroad R/W and Trail
• Understand loaded train needs ½ mile or more Stopping Distance even at low speeds
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Trail Negotiation with Railroad
• Design trail with permanent barrier between trail and train tracks that are child-proof
• Plan for competent regular frequent Trail inspections – especially at all track crossings
• Share inspection results with Railroad if asked
• Include Railroad Representative on Trail Advisory Committee
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Trail Negotiation with Railroad
• Provide Trail Point-Of-Contact available 24/7/365 who has authority to close Trail and dispatch emergency repair crew or mobilize volunteers to correct safety hazard at Trail/Railroad interface
• Understand Railroad may require indemnification
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Pine Creek Rail Trail Extension
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Trail Along Lycoming Valley RR
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Trail Crossing of Lycoming Valley RR
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Trail in Jersey Shore on Lycoming Valley RR R/W
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Crossing LVRR to Riverwalk Parking
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Emergency / Hazard Reporting System on LVRR Trail Crossing
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Crossing LVRR to Riverwalk Parking
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