Guidelines for Active Transportation Facilities in Canal Corridors Accelerate Decision Making
Guidelines for Active Transportation Facilities in Canal Corridors Accelerate Decision Making
Item #: 20250013
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CONTACTS
Implementing Organization: Planning, Transit and Trails, and Research & Innovation Divisions
Champion: Lyle McMillan
Implementation Lead: Stephanie Tomlin
Development Team: Report Authors - Utah State University
Matthew Crump
Patrick Singleton
Alfonso Torres-Rua
Adam Pack
UDOT Support Members
Heidi Goedhart
Lyle McMillan
Kevin Nichol
Angelo Papastamos
David Schwartz
Stephanie Tomlin
Other Support Members
Steve Cain
Jim Price
Article Written By: Stephanie Tomlin
Innovation Council Liaison: Eric Buell
Innovation Team Coordinator: Quinten Klingonsmith
STATUS
Implementation Date: March 1, 2022
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented
Adoptability Note: How can the UDOT Research & Innovation Division help your team find solutions and provide guidance for your work?
APPLIES TO
Topic: Performance / Process Improvement
Organization(s): Planning, Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Transit and Trails
Job Role(s): Program Director, Program Manager, Program Specialist
Tags: active transportation, capital productivity, labor productivity, employee empowerment, job satisfaction, personnel development, rural development, urban development, education and training, ( process improvement ), research, design, planning, pedestrian safety, Canal trail, Shared-use path, Off-street pathway, Trail liability, Irrigation canals, aesthetics, environmental quality > pollution > air, noise, public opinion, quality of life, user benefits, ( connected communities )
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
The State of Utah has shown an increasing need for active transportation infrastructure, especially in the rapidly developing areas across the Wasatch Front. Canal corridors offer ideal locations for siting shared-use paths because they are linear, flat, and have an interlaced presence within communities.
In the past, concerns such as safety, maintenance, and lack of a management entity have inhibited the establishment of formal canal trails. More recently, local governments and canal companies have worked to overcome these challenges and have completed successful canal trail projects. However, more guidance and information was needed to help make these types of projects more common and successful.
CHANGE
CHANGE
A comprehensive study was initiated to investigate the valuable insights and tools that could be used to develop new canal trails across the state. This study documented various case studies of past canal trail projects, interviewed stakeholders about future projects, and summarized the findings into a helpful reference guide.
RESULT
RESULT
The result of this study provides five unique case studies that can be used as models for future projects. These case studies cover various aspects related to public outreach, stakeholder contributions, potential grant opportunities, and more.
In addition, the study also provides insights on canal trail design, including trail width, trail type, corridor cross sections, and intersection design.Â
These findings can provide detailed and helpful direction to project teams as they plan for these types of trail projects, as well as increase the likelihood that planning-related efforts are efficient and successful.
IMPACT
IMPACT
BETTER MOBILITY
BETTER MOBILITY
Canal trails provide mobility options for a wider range of transportation modalities and travelers
GOOD HEALTH
GOOD HEALTH
Increased opportunities for active transportation provide exercise and improve health
Following trail design recommendations increases safety and reduces liability
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
Canal trails connect communities
The research project connected municipalities, transportation organizations, and canal owners to find and document solutions
STRONG ECONOMY
STRONG ECONOMY
Following planning and design recommendations reduces project time, resulting in cost savings
EFFICIENCIES*
EFFICIENCIES*
Cost Avoidance: $362,948 over 20 years (Mar 1, 2022 - MarM1, 2042)
Labor Savings: 270 hours annually
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 9:1
*Benefits are estimated net of initial and ongoing expenses. Savings are averaged over the expected benefit life of the innovation. See details.
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