What were the ultimate benefits to system users?
Rail trails benefit users and communities in many ways, including improved public health, increased multi-modal transportation options and connectivity, environmental preservation, economic development, and preservation of historic transportation corridors. The LVRT offers recreation and transportation opportunities with accessible, safe, no-cost options for people of all ages who live here and those that visit Vermont for its natural beauty and recreation. The trail functions as a linear greenspace, preserving natural landscapes, providing links between fragmented habitats, and protecting plant and animal species. The LVRT benefits Vermonters economically through job creation at trailside businesses, increased values for adjacent properties, and more.
How did the project focus on alternative modes of transportation or improve multi-modal access?
In addition to providing a safe place for people to enjoy recreational activities, the LVRT functions as a viable and accessible transportation corridor, contributing to a seamless local and regional multi-modal transportation system. The LVRT communities that are more developed have incorporated the trail and trailheads into their transit plans, utilizing trail facilities to move people into and out of transit stations in a safe and efficient manner. The ability to avoid roadways with higher traffic volumes and speeds, and travel through natural areas on foot or by non-motorized means, is a significant factor in a community's livability.
