WTI

National Technical Assistance Center for Parks and Public Lands

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

There are no reports associated with this project.

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to create a national technical assistance center that provides federal land managers with easy and expedient access to technical support, training and information on alternative transportation issues and resources.

Project Abstract

Alternative transportation systems (ATS) can provide effective, environmentally sensitive solutions to traffic congestion, parking, pollution, and other transportation related challenges. The increased use of alternative transportation can help public land managers find the balance point between visitor access and experience and resource protection. Therefore, in order to increase the use of alternative transportation on public lands, managers need an easily accessible, central source for information, technical assistance, and coordination and outreach assistance. Through this project, the Western Transportation Institute (WTI), in partnership with two University Transportation Centers (UTC), the University of Maine, and national consulting firms, will develop and manage a National Technical Assistance Center for Alternative Transportation in Public Lands (TAC). The purpose of the TAC is to create a “one-stop shop” source of technical support, training and information. Ongoing services could include technical liaisons and mentors, training workshops, informational databases, a “help desk” website, best practice manuals, and proposal development assistance.

Task Descriptions

1. Provide Transportation Planning Support Services
   1. The team will provide information and training to federal land managers on effective transportation planning, on topics such as stakeholder identification and outreach, multi-jurisdiction coordination, leveraging resources, and best practices.
2. Develop Training and Workshops
   1. The team will develop and lead training sessions and workshops, both in-person and through alternative media, including on-line, distance learning events. The Center will maintain a comprehensive database of relevant transit-related training produced by the Team and those produced by organizations across the country.
3. Convene a Peer Review Group
   1. The team will create and convene a peer review group consisting of leaders in the alternative transportation field as well as federal lands leaders. The group will provide strategic and long-term guidance for the Technical Assistance Center, with specific tasks such as identifying collaboration opportunities, training needs, research gaps, and technical experts.
4. Provide On Demand Technical Assistance
   1. The team will provide technical assistance to federal land management agencies (FLMAs) for project level alternative transportation services (ATS) planning, implementation, and operations. The Center will establish a national 800 number, staffed by at least one full-time staff member who will solicit and respond to requests for technical assistance.
5. Project Management
   1. The team will provide ongoing communication regarding the Center’s progress and activities to the FTA and key stakeholders through meetings, briefings, and progress reports.
6. Maintain Central Repository of Resources
   1. The team will develop (and disseminate) a central repository of readily available resources including technical manuals, best practices, studies, reports, guides, articles, training videos, reports, on-line resources, etc., relating to alternative transportation in public lands. The team will also develop and maintain the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in the Parks TAC Website.
7. Support the Project Evaluation Process
   1. The team will create and host an online system for submitting and reviewing proposals for the Alternative Transportation Projects in Public Lands grant program administered by the Federal Transit Administration.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

True

Relationship to Other Research Projects

False

Technology Transfer Activities

True

Transportation Research Board Keywords

National Parks, federal lands, alternative transportation, transit

Partners