The document discusses design standards and policies for rails with trails projects by the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority. It provides information on the authority's formation, ownership and management structure. The standards require at least a 25 foot separation between tracks and trails, fencing, and allow exceptions of 20 feet on a case by case basis. It also gives guidance on negotiating trail projects with railroad owners, including understanding the ownership and management structure, avoiding publicity before contact, allowing review time, and design considerations like permanent barriers and emergency response.

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RAILS WITH TRAILS DESIGN STANDARDS
SEDA COG RAIL AUTHORITY
Jerry Walls, FAICP, Board Chairman

2. SEDA-COG JOINT RAIL AUTHORITY
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3. SEDA-COG JOINT RAIL AUTHORITY
•8 County Authority formed under legal authorization of the PA Municipality Authorities Act of 1945
• JRA owns 5 freight railroads in Centre, Clinton, Mifflin, Juniata, Lycoming, Union, Columbia, Montour, and Northumberland counties of central PA
•Each Member County appoints 2 voting members to JRA Board of Directors
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4. SEDA-COG JOINT RAIL AUTHORITY
•Structure is Public – Private – Partnership (JRA owns all land and infrastructure including tracks, bridges, rail yards, engine houses and miscellaneous buildings)
•JRA contracts with Private Railroad Operating Company to supply Crew + Locomotives + Specialty Rail Cars + Maintenance Equipment and Conduct Train Operations
•JRA contracts with Private Railroad Operating Company to provide Customer Service, Marketing and Routine Annual Maintenance according to JRA Track Standards (which are higher than FRA)
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5. SEDA COG Joint Rail Authority Rails With Trails Policy
• Standard R/W is 30-33 feet from track centerline
• Where the Authority R/W extends beyond 30- 33 feet and there is no other parallel track, a trail may be considered
• If accepted by the Authority, separation by a chain link fence (minimum 60 inches high) installed no less than 25 feet from track center shall be required.
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6. Rails With Trails Design Standards
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7. SEDA COG Joint Rail Authority Rails With Trails Policy – Exceptions If Trail Does NOT Meet Standard
• A constriction with no other reasonable option, then the standards may be relaxed for an extremely limited distance.
• The exemption will be of a longitudinal distance no greater than 400 yards, and not less than 25 feet separation distance with a fence or vegetative barrier required.
• Special exceptions for a separation distance of 20 feet will be considered by the JRA on a case- by-case basis.
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8. Approach to Railroad Owner
Learn which type of railroad owner you must deal with:
•Class One Railroad (national / multi-state ownership)
•Regional Railroad (may be multi-state system ownership)
•Shortline Railroad (ownership typically local)
•Understand the Railroad Management Structure – start at senior management level and try to find sympathetic ear, if possible
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9. Trail Negotiation with Railroad
•Understand WHO owns the railroad
•Understand WHO owns the Right of Way
•Learn if a Railbanking Agreement exists
•Review that Agreement
•Make contact with RR Management BEFORE publicity on the proposed Trail
•Check whether your state laws provide protection for railroads from recreational use and/or trespass
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10. Trail Negotiation with Railroad
•Offer meaningful involvement of Railroad in Trail route planning
•Conduct interaction with mutual respect
•Understand that Railroads are primary target for lawsuits so they ARE DEFENSIVE
•JRA examples (ATVs riding on R/W after dark and hitting equipment; injuries to trespassers)
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11. Trail Negotiation with Railroad
•Allow generous time for Railroad to review Trail route and design
•Identify need for essential at-grade crossings
•Avoid at-grade crossings when possible
•Design for prevention of ATV access onto Railroad R/W and Trail
•Understand loaded train needs ½ mile or more Stopping Distance even at low speeds
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12. Trail Negotiation with Railroad
•Design trail with permanent barrier between trail and train tracks that are child-proof
•Plan for competent regular frequent Trail inspections – especially at all track crossings
•Share inspection results with Railroad if asked
•Include Railroad Representative on Trail Advisory Committee
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13. Trail Negotiation with Railroad
•Provide Trail Point-Of-Contact available 24/7/365 who has authority to close Trail and dispatch emergency repair crew or mobilize volunteers to correct safety hazard at Trail/Railroad interface
•Understand Railroad may require indemnification
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14. Pine Creek Rail Trail Extension
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15. Trail Along Lycoming Valley RR
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16. Trail Crossing of Lycoming Valley RR
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17. Trail in Jersey Shore on Lycoming Valley RR R/W
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18. Crossing LVRR to Riverwalk Parking
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19. Emergency / Hazard Reporting System on LVRR Trail Crossing
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20. Crossing LVRR to Riverwalk Parking
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21. Jerry S. Walls, FAICP – Board Chair SEDA COG Rail Authority
570-419-1771
jerry@jwallsaicp.com
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