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Volpe Center Highlights - January/February 2006

Environmental Stewardship

Letter from the Director | Focus | Safety | Mobility | Environmental Stewardship | Security
New Directors | Published and Presented

Shenandoah National Park. The NPS is charged with a dual mission: to protect the extraordinary sites in its care while providing for public access and enjoyment. The Volpe Center helps NPS plan and develop alternative transportation systems that can help protect valuable resources while enhancing the visitor experience. A recent report addresses transportation issues at Shenandoah National Park, which offers spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is one of the most visited national parks. (Photo courtesy of National Park Service, Digital Image Archives)

Alternative Transportation Planning for Shenandoah National Park (NPS)

Congestion in many national parks causes lengthy traffic delays and noise and air pollution that substantially detract from the visitor experience and overall resource protection. Accordingly, the National Park Service (NPS) has been exploring the use of innovative, sustainable, and appropriate alternative transportation solutions. Since 2000, the Volpe Center has supported the NPS alternative transportation planning process. A significant part of this effort has focused on producing alternative transportation plans for selected national parks. Recently, the Center delivered the Shenandoah Alternative Transportation Planning Study to the NPS.

Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is one of the most visited parks in the NPS system. The Volpe Center's report addresses several transportation issues at the park, including: reassessing traveler information services that are available to park visitors; assessing potential improvements to enhance accessibility to Skyline Drive scenic overlooks; identifying and reviewing available transportation data that can be used for future park planning; options for replacement of a tour vehicle for the Rapidan Camp area of the park; and providing an overview of the socioeconomic conditions and trends in the Shenandoah Valley region that may potentially influence current and future park visitation.

The Volpe Center team that developed the report includes Mr. Robert Armstrong of the Motor Carrier Safety Assessment Division; Mr. Eric Plosky, Mr. David Spiller, and Ms. Frances Fisher of the Service and Operations Assessment Division; Mr. Carson Poe of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division; and Mr. Garth Brazelton of the Economic and Industry Analysis Division.

This final report is available at www.volpe.dot.gov/nps/shenandoah.html.

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