URDC Impact Study

        The following information/data was extracted from the Western Maryland Rail Trail Economic Impact Study for the Town of Hancock, prepared by Urban Research and Development Corporation of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, completed in December 2006.

Summary

The WMRT is owned and managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), State Forest and Park Service, Fort Frederick State Park, where a four-block downtown section is leased to the Town of Hancock for maintenance of the downtown section of the trail. The WMRT is a level asphalt trail following the railroad bed right-of-way from Big Pool Junction to Pearre Station. The trail traverses an area that is rural and is bordered by canopies of trees and bushes, providing natural beauty for the rail user. The trail runs along portions of the C&O Canal Trail, which is a dirt and gravel trail. The length, asphalt surface and level gradient make the WMRT a most unique trail experience. Few trails embracing these characteristics currently exist in the United States, giving the WMRT a "step above others".

The Town of Hancock is located near the halfway point of the 23-mile stretch of trail, representing an ideal location to capture commerce from trail user activity. Hancock's location relative to the Rail Trail is anologous to the old stagecoach or train "way station" located between two travel destinations poits, where stops were made to rest and/or acquire new provisions. This "way station" concept is very important, since the Town can best capture Rail-Trail user expenditures for items such as lodging, food and other sundries, gasoline and complementary entertainment venues.

Standard Rail Trail User Profile

Based on the research findings, the model WMRT user possesses the following characteristics: a 41 to 70 year-old day tripper from Maryland, Pennsylvania or West Virginia; riding a bicycle 20 to 22 miles or walking around three (3) miles in groups of two; averaging one to three days per week; using the WMRT in the morning, most likely on weekends; using a car to get to the WMRT; entering and exiting at the same location (most likely Hancock Station or Big Pool Junction); using the WMRT to link to the C & O Canal Tow Path Trail and local restaurants; purchasing food, beverages, gasoline (and some lodging); using this trail because it is flat, paved, convenient, long, scenic and possessing natgural beauty; more likely a male user than a female user.

Western Maryland Rail Trail Primary Uses:

Bicycling	Walking	Roller Blading	Other
50.5%	45.9%	0.4%	3.2%

Statement of Economic Impact

The WMRT is estimated to generate $2.9 million in annual gross direct spending from approximately 95,000 user visits. It is estimated from the survey research that 40 percent of WMRT user gross expenditures come from non-Maryland residents. Sixty percent of gross expenditures come from Maryland residents. Thirty seven percent of WMRT user expenditures come from residents of Pennsylvania, West Virginia or Virginia. Approximately 3 percent of gross spending comes from users living outside the four-state region.

Spending from Non-Maryland Residents	$1,184,742
Spending from Nearby States, WV, Pa, Va	$1,095,887
Spending by Maryland users	$ 681,227

Recommendations for Trail Enhancements

The study recommend various trail enhancements that were items of concern on surveys submitted by trail users.

The first seven (7) items - more rest rooms, water fountains, picnic areas, historical interpretive sites, camping area, more telephones, improved short term and long term parking facilities represent high ranking items identified by survey research. Note: some of these items are currently being considered or constructed by the Town of Hancock in the John Hancock Park next to the WMRT. Items requiring attention outside the leased portion of the trail by the Town of Hancock have been identified to DNR for their consideration and implementation.