The Capital Trails Coalition engaged ESI to provide a multi-faceted quantification of the economic, public health, and environmental benefits from completing the Capital Trails Network in the Washington, DC area. The Coalition sought compelling, data-driven evidence to support investment advocacy, policy engagement, and funding applications to help complete trail infrastructure.
ESI employed three distinct analytical frameworks to capture the full range of benefits.
- An economic impact analysis using IMPLAN input-output modeling quantified construction-phase and ongoing economic activity, job creation, employee compensation, and state and local tax revenues.
- A return on investment assessment monetized ecosystem services provided by the trail network, including water quality improvement, flood mitigation, wildlife habitat conservation, air pollution removal, and carbon sequestration.
- A public health impact analysis estimated benefits to trail users from increased physical activity and associated healthcare cost savings.
The analyses were then synthesized into county-level infographic summaries to support regional outreach.
The study found that completing the Capital Trails Network would generate more than $2 billion in economic output from construction activity and attract 930,000 regular trail users. Annual public health savings attributable to increased physical activity were estimated at more than $517 million, while annual environmental benefits totaled $100 million. The network was also projected to generate a property value premium of nearly $10 billion over 25 years for residents by enhancing the attractiveness of the region.
ESI produced the Economic, Health, and Environmental Benefits of Completing the Capital Trails Network report, as well as a series of county-level infographic summaries for the DC metro area. The findings were covered by The Washington Post and have been used to support ongoing regional advocacy for trail investment and equitable access policies.