REGIONAL BACKBONE
Developed as part of the HATS 2040 Regional Transportation Plan, the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Backbone (“the Backbone”) was designed to enhance coordination between existing infrastructure and previous bicycle and pedestrian planning efforts while addressing network gaps. The Backbone offers a broad vision for connecting communities and key destinations, focusing on roads and facilities most appropriate and eligible for the use of federal transportation funds. Rather than prescribing specific solutions or superseding local planning efforts, its purpose is to identify the most critical connections needed to support active transportation across the HATS region.
The Backbone represents the cumulation of extensive outreach, analysis, and planning efforts undertaken for this Regional Active Transportation Plan. While the identified routes highlight the most critical connections along the most likely roads and pathways, additional planning may uncover alternative options that achieve similar connections, even as temporary solutions until permanent facilities can be established.
REGIONAL BACKBONE CATEGORIES
Existing Facilities: Major regional non-motorized transportation facilities including multi-use trails, biking/walking paths, bicycle lanes, etc.
Under Development: Non-motorized transportation facilities actively progressing toward construction or currently in project development, including design or construction
Proposed On-road: Important non-motorized routes along existing roads or streets where on-road facilities are most likely improvements due to limited alternatives or opportunities for off-road trails or multi-use paths
Proposed Off-road: Important non-motorized connections along routes with opportunities for off-road trails or multi-use paths or where lack of existing roads or streets provide limited options for on-road facilities
Note: As discussed in the Regional Profile, the Regional Backbone does not include major recreational trails (like the Appalachian Trail, Horseshoe Trail, and Darlington Trail) or smaller, less connected facilities with limited regional connectivity and/or importance.
WHAT'S NEXT...
This Regional Active Transportation Plan does not recommend specific improvements or designs in the corridors that make up the Regional Backbone. Decisions will come later through planning and engineering, using tools such as the FHWA Bikeway Selection Guide and PennDOT Design Manual. Links to these resources are available here.
