Volpe Projects: A Record of Success
Gateway National Recreation Area / New York Harbor
Because of traffic congestion and circuitous routing on local roadways, it is difficult to reach the Gateway National Recreational Area and other park assets by automobile. Access by public transportation also is poor, due to the location of these assets at the periphery of urban development, away from urban neighborhoods and commercial centers.
Ferry service has a natural advantage over land-based modes in an area centered on the water, and passengers tend to enjoy the experience of travel by boat. Water transportation thus is an attractive concept for improving access to currently underutilized resources at Gateway. The revival of marine transportation as a major mode of travel throughout the harbor presents significant opportunities to integrate potential Gateway ferry routes with the resources of a broader regional ferry network.
The purposes of the Waterborne Transportation Study are: (1) to assess the viability of water transportation as an access mode serving Gateway and other assets of the National Parks of New York Harbor and (2) to develop a preliminary ferry service concept plan to serve the needs of park visitors. The study consisted of the following principal tasks: (1) identification of opportunities to implement ferry services; (2) analysis of advantages and disadvantages of different service options; (3) identification of required improvements and investments associated with different service concepts; (4) feasibility assessment of alternatives; and (5) development of a ferry service concept plan.
Final Report, April 2001
Final Report, March 2004
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OF SUCCESS