AnaheimOUTDOORS - City of Anaheim

Anaheim Outdoors Connectivity Plan
Rail-with-Trail Research: Guidelines and Standards
May 24, 2012
Because most of the rail lines in Anaheim are active lines, planning issues and design standards
generally fall in the “rails-with-trails” category. This pertains to a rail right-of-way, still being
used by trains, that also includes a recreational trail parallel to the tracks. It differs from
converting part of an inactive or abandoned right-of-way to a “rail-to-trail”.
A successful rail-with-trail (RWT) project carefully considers the operational needs and other
concerns of the railroad, and involves working closely with railroads and other relevant agencies
and landowners during planning and design. The project must balance trail safety with railroad
operations. At its best, a RWT project increases mobility and recreation choices, improves the
appearance of the right-of-way, enhances property values, brings revenue to the railroad owner,
and can reduce trespassing and injuries or death from illegal track crossings. Although many
railroad owners are reluctant to embrace RWTs, some allow and encourage these projects,
including the Orange County Transit Authority. 1
There are no rigid design standards or guidelines for trails adjacent to active railroads. This is
due to the highly variable nature of right-of way width, train speed and frequency, land
characteristics and adjacent land uses, right-of-way ownership, rail expansion plans, presence of
utilities in the right-of-way, and occasional narrowing of the corridor because of topography,
bridges, etc. Surveys of existing RWTs confirm this variability and emphasize that trail planning
and design is done on a case-by-case basis, to meet the specific needs of the railroad operator and
provide a safe and functional rail-with-trail corridor. 2 The following trends and design
recommendations are gleaned from existing RWTs (summarized in reports listed in the
Reference section), including 21 projects in California.
Feasibility and Planning
A feasibility study must evaluate any proposed RWT, and should include analysis of an
alternative trail alignment outside the rail right-of-way. If the project proceeds as a RWT,
planning should involve the rail owner/operator from the earliest stages. Reluctant rail operators
may feel more comfortable with the project if it adequately addresses issues beyond safe trail
design, including liability, indemnification, design approval by the rail operator, and
maintenance access. In some cases, the project may proceed only if the portion of right-of-way
1 Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned—Literature Review, Current Practices, Conclusions. U.S. Department of
Transportation, August 2002.
2 The design also must meet other applicable standards (e.g., California Department of Transportation’s Highway
Design Manual, Chapter 1000, “Bikeway Planning and Design”; California Department of Transportation’s
California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, prepared
by the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO); and National Bicycle and
Walking Study – Current Planning Guidelines and Design Standards Being Used by State and Local Agencies for
Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities, prepared by the Federal Highway Administration; and any standards issued by the
City of Anaheim.)