MDOT hires experts to make recommendations and then ignores recommendations
This 2009 report from Cambridge Systematics, Inc. with Toole Design Group on our Maryland Trails Strategic Implementation Plan makes the following recommendations (just highlights) that still have not been done:
• Explore new approaches to trail program management and policy processes to relieve the administrative burden of trail funding programs. Opportunities exist to pursue advanced streamlining process and to adapt existing funding programs to better fit of the character of trail development. For example, providing assistance in preparing aid packages for municipalities may help ease the administrative burden of the application process. Assistance to jurisdictions on how to leverage funding sources (i.e., use of POS [Project Open Space] as a match for TEP [Transportation Enchantment Program] funds) could also be helpful. Other approaches that might help alleviate the administrative and funding burden to jurisdictions include:
− “Phasing” funding and project development;
− Reducing the TEP minimum request and match requirement;
− Reducing or removing the TEP engineering and design requirement; Providing technical assistance for RTP and TEP project planning to address deficiencies in project sponsors’ trail planning and project scope development.
− Re-evaluating the types of projects eligible by RTP and TEP and the phases of projects for which funding is available (i.e., preconstruction/acquisition);