Trail projects frequently engender significant concerns about safety and security, particularly from adjacent residences. Alta utilizes the international principles of "Crime Prevention through Environmental Design" to conduct a thorough security audit of each trail project we work on.

We have worked with law enforcement experts to tailor this approach to trail projects. With either our own law enforcement expert or local officials, we walk the entire trail corridor, analyzing it from the standpoint of ensuring the security of adjacent residents. We then prepare a Security Plan, with recommendations on items including:

We also work with communities to prepare an on-going Trail Watch program, which brings residents together to watch the trail, ensuring security for the long-run. For more information on Trail Watch, contact George Hudson in our Portland office at georgehudson@altaplanning.com.

  Alta is studying the feasibility of a shared-use path, approximately 10.8 miles long, along the railroad corridor from Charlotte to Burlington, Vermont for the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO). The State of Vermont owns this section of railroad and leases it to Vermont Railway for operations and maintenance. Until recently, Vermont Railway operated both freight and passenger service (Champlain Flyer) in the corridor. Currently, it carries four freight trains per day.

The rail corridor passes through farm land and some wetlands before entering more populated areas in Shelburne center and along Lake Champlain. Constraints in the corridor are steep slopes, bridge crossings, narrow right-of-way and wetlands. The largest wetland area is at the La Platte River, which also includes a 110-foot long bridge. Along Lake Champlain there are eight grade crossings that add another level of complexity to the project.

The shared-use path for this study is ten feet wide with an asphalt wearing course and eight to ten inch gravel base. The trail could be offset from the railroad by 17 to 63 feet. A preliminary findings report was issued to the CCMPO and Vermont Railway for comment. For more information, contact Steve Ventresca in our Massachusetts office at sventresca@altaplanning.com.

  The crashing waves, the beautiful sunsets, the salty air... This type of environment is not usually the domain of transportation planners, but for the past few months, Alta Planning + Design and CH2MHill have been developing transportation plans for four of Oregon's coastal towns: Bay City, Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, and Nehalem.

Alta has been focusing on improving the bicycling and walking conditions in these towns, while fellow consulting firm CH2MHill has been addressing vehicular mobility and safety. Working under contract with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Alta/CH2MHill have been working with local governments, the coastal railroad operator, businesses, and citizens to produce plans that balance bicycle, pedestrian, and automobile mobility and safety.

These small towns, ranging in population from 203 (Nehalem) to 1267 (Rockaway Beach), are all situated along US Highway 101, a designated National Scenic Byway and also the Oregon Coast Bikeway. In the case of Nehalem and Rockaway Beach, US 101 actually functions as the towns' main street. Alta/CH2MHill began the process by assessing the existing conditions, reviewing previous planning efforts, and developing individualized goals for the four towns. Some towns wished to attract more business and tourism, while other towns hoped to retain their village-like character. Another town wanted to do both!

• A design for a "slow, shared-use street" that will function as a pedestrian esplanade in Rockaway Beach
• New street cross-sections and sidewalk locations in Bay City
• Recommendations for an off-street path, curb extensions, and crosswalks in Manzanita
• Plans for intersection improvements in Nehalem.

In each of these four towns, Alta/CH2MHill have worked with citizens and business owners to balance the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobiles in order to achieve the towns' goals and objectives. For more information, contact Mia Birk in our Portland office at miabirk@altaplanning.com.

  Multi-modal transportation planning is steadily gaining popularity throughout the country. Arizona is no exception, with bicycle and pedestrian plans already in place in several metropolitan areas, and many promotional programs getting citizens excited about bicycling and walking.

Alta and Kimley-Horn recently completed a draft of Arizona's first Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. This document provides a long-term plan for a system of shared roadways and bicycle/pedestrian facilities for the ADOT state highway system. It highlights bicycle and pedestrian planning activities, ordinances, and encouragement/educational programs already in use throughout the state. In addition to typical design guidelines, the plan also provides suggestions for pedestrian-friendly design features and innovative bikeway designs for challenging situations.

The Plan includes a state bicycle network map illustrating bicycling conditions such as traffic volumes, roadway grade, shoulder width and conditions, speed, and rumble strip locations so users can develop routes suitable to their skill level.

Open Houses are scheduled around the state during April and May before completion of the plan. The draft plan is available on-line at www.azbikeped.org. For more information on this project, contact Keith Walzak at kwalzak@altaplanning.com.

  The Springwater Corridor - Willamette River Extension, located in bicycle-friendly Portland, Oregon, is one of the nation's newest rail-with-trails. This $1.2 million extension to an existing 16.8 mile rail-to-trail provides nearly 3 miles of crossing-free trail connecting outlying neighborhoods and suburbs directly to downtown.

Informally opened in November 2002, the heavily-used extension will celebrate its official Grand Opening on June 28th, 2003. Portland Parks & Recreation, the project developer, has also submitted the project for the Rail-to-Trails Conservancy's TrailLink 2003 Rail-Trail Design Recognition Award.

• Pro-Bono Assistance: Alta staff are available to help community groups and agencies on a pro bono basis, whether it is answering questions or assisting with research. Every year we donate hundreds of hours to help our colleagues in a variety of areas. Call an Alta professional today to find out more about this, or come into one of our offices and use our library of resources.
   
• Conference Support Program: Alta offers help to deserving individuals who wish to attend conferences in fields related to bicycles, pedestrians, and trails. This may include plane tickets, other travel costs, and conference costs. Contact Alta Principals Michael Jones or Mia Birk to find out more about this program.