Speaking

This presentation will highlight the ongoing Rail Access Road Study led by B&N for the Fayette/Raleigh Metropolitan Planning Organization (FRMPO). The project builds upon an initial 2020 study to evaluate a proposed roadway connection between University Drive and nearby CSX railroad tracks, with the goal of improving freight access and supporting regional economic development.

The discussion will cover how enhanced rail connectivity can benefit local industry, manufacturers and the airport by providing more cost-effective freight transportation, particularly for bulk materials and globally traded goods. Attendees will gain insight into how strategic infrastructure investments like this can reduce transportation costs and strengthen the region’s competitive position.

The presentation will also outline the current phase of work, including field reviews, preliminary roadway design and the conceptual layout of spur tracks and a truck loading area. The project has many design challenges with the steep terrain adjacent to the railroad tracks below and the bridge above. The vertical elevation difference is over 400 feet.

Finally, the presentation will emphasize the collaborative nature of the project, highlighting coordination between FRMPO, the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and the Region 1 and Region 4 Planning and Development Councils to advance a shared vision for economic growth and improved transportation infrastructure. 

This session highlights how a corridor study in the Steubenville–Jefferson County, Ohio, region translated walk audit observations into practical, implementable Complete Streets improvements within an Appalachian context. Early field audits revealed critical pedestrian gaps along the selected corridors, which were reinforced through crash and traffic analysis.

Through ongoing collaboration with a multidisciplinary group of local agencies, schools and stakeholders, the team worked through multiple design iterations to build consensus and refine solutions such as shared-use paths, targeted crossing improvements and road diets. The session will walk through how stakeholder input shaped final concepts, how technical analysis supported decisions and how projects were positioned for funding and implementation.

This session demonstrates how GIS can turn complex multimodal planning into clear, actionable insights. Using the Belomar Regional Multimodal Study as an example, we show how resourceful maps and spatial analyses help agencies quickly understand regional mobility challenges and opportunities. Participants will learn how these tools position MPOs and local governments to make informed decisions and strengthen funding applications with compelling, data-driven reasoning.