2026 RTP education - bicycles and pedestrian facility

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded the Tennessee Department of Transportation $102,539 under the Recreational Trails Program (CFDA 20.219) on September 10, 2025, to fund educational initiatives focused on bicycle and pedestrian trail facilities. The grant supports trail training workshops, acquisition of tools and equipment for trail education, and staff participation in Recreational Trails Program (RTP) training courses and educational workshops through September 1, 2030. These educational expenditures align with the program's allowance for development and dissemination of educational publications and operation of educational programs that promote safety and environmental protection related to recreational trail use, provided such activities do not exceed 5 percent of the state's total RTP funding allocation.

The initiative enhances TDOT's capacity to develop and maintain safe recreational trails across Tennessee by building staff expertise and providing resources necessary for effective trail education and training delivery. This funding reflects the FHWA's commitment to supporting state-level infrastructure for recreational trail stewardship and user safety education across motorized and non-motorized trail systems.

Project description

RTP educational funds will be used for trail training workshops, tools and equipment used for trail education. Funds will also be used to send staff to RTP trail training or education classes/ workshops.