Trail and bike lane counter maintenance program

The District of Columbia Department of Public Works received a $394,501 formula grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the Recreational Trails Program (CFDA 20.219), awarded on September 25, 2025, with a completion date of December 31, 2028. This grant supports the continued operation, maintenance, and validation of automated trail and bike lane counters operated jointly by the National Park Service and the District of Columbia. These counters provide critical usage data that enables both agencies to better understand trail and bike lane user patterns and inform future planning and infrastructure decisions.

Beyond direct counter maintenance and validation activities, the grant facilitates a larger regional partnership initiative for recreational trail and bike lane counters across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. By centralizing maintenance efforts and supporting regional data collection coordination, this project enhances the ability of multiple jurisdictions to monitor recreational trail usage trends and make evidence-based decisions regarding trail infrastructure investment and management.

Project description

The national park service and the district operate and maintain automated trail and bike lane counters which allow these agencies to better understand trail and bike lane users, and plan for the future. This project will allow for the continued maintenance and validation of these counters, as well as facilitating the larger regional partnership for counters in the region.