Active Transportation Routes Using Canal Corridors: Decision Tools in Creating Successful Canal Trail Projects

Abstract

There is an increasing need for active transportation infrastructure throughout the United States, especially in rapidly developing urban areas. In places with current and historical agricultural developments, such as in the Intermountain West, canal corridors offer ideal locations for siting shared-use paths because they are linear, flat, and have an interlaced presence within communities. The purpose of this study is to summarize the challenges of establishing canal trails and provide valuable insights and tools that can be used to resolve those challenges, using Utah as an example. To accomplish this, the study applied qualitative methods by reviewing various case studies of past canal trail projects and interviewing stakeholders for future projects. The study found that land ownership, maintenance, safety, liability, funding, and privacy are the main concerns of stakeholders involved in canal trail projects. Each of these concerns are discussed in detail including common solutions to overcome them. The main tools used in successful projects include long-term planning, stakeholder collaboration, iterative design, and active public involvement. The study also provides insights on canal trail design, including trail widths, trail types, and possible corridor cross sections.