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Volpe Center Highlights - June/July 2001

Human and Natural Environment

Director's Notes | Focus | Safety | Mobility | Human and Natural Environment |
Economic Growth and Trade | National Security | Papers and Presentations | Awards

Protect and enhance communities and the natural environment affected by transportation.

Proposing Alternative Designs to Help Preserve Natural and Cultural Resources (NPS)

For two years, the Volpe Center has supported the National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Region's Alternative Transportation Program. In May 2000, the Center was asked to assess traffic issues in and around the Valley Forge National Historical Park (NHP), which is located in the densely populated suburban area of Southeast Pennsylvania. The park, situated at a major transportation hub, is trisected by state roads that are used as daily commuter routes. Increasing traffic routinely congests the park road system, impairing the Park's natural resources and cultural artifacts, and detracting from visitors' enjoyment of the Park. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is planning and implementing several highway improvement projects in the area that will impact the Park, its visitors, and the surrounding area.

One of PennDOT's proposed projects is the replacement of the Old Betzwood Bridge, which would require right-of-way takings of Park land. Prior to Volpe's involvement, Valley Forge NHP signed a "4F" agreement acknowledging "no feasible and prudent alternative" to the project design. However, before signing a right-of-way release, the NHP asked the Volpe Center to study the situation. Responding to a multitude of complex traffic issues, in a highly charged public policy arena of multiparty disputes and interests, Mr. David Spiller of the Service Assessment Division developed an alternative conceptual design that would have fewer adverse impacts and reduced land-takings at the Park. PennDOT also is proposing certain changes to a nearby interchange as part of the scope of work for the replacement of the Old Betzwood Bridge. Mr. Spiller analyzed that design and pointed out that, as planned, it leads to an awkward circulation pattern for traffic to and from a proposed large-scale development. He proposed an alternative design that includes a more direct access plan that is mutually acceptable and beneficial to the development, the town, and the Park. Mr. Spiller also suggested an additional study to fully test the proposed design alternative.

As a result of the Center's efforts, which were completed in April 2001, Valley Forge NHP, working with the NPS Washington Service Office and the Department of the Interior, has placed its consent to the 4F "on hold" and has proposed a regional study based on Volpe's work. The NHP, under the leadership of Arthur Stewart, Superintendent, and Robert Krumenaker, Deputy Superintendent, has been able to convince local stakeholders (e.g., the townships, counties, and metropolitan planning organization) of the necessity to rethink, in a more comprehensive fashion, regional transportation policy and capital improvement projects. The Center's development of innovative conceptual designs has been instrumental in this regard. This work demonstrates how innovative technical solutions can help achieve common ground and mediate differences among stakeholders.

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