WTI

Mendenhall Spur Road: Improvements to Ease Vehicle and Pedestrian Congestion and Improve Visitor Experience

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

There are no reports associated with this project.

Project Objective

The purpose of this project is to analyze, design, and implement traffic management strategies that will enhance access to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (MGVC) while improving the visitor experience and safety.

Project Abstract

The May 2007 Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center - Vehicular and Pedestrian Congestion Study (Final Report) for the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Alaska Region noted that safety and wayfinding improvements were recommended before the opening of the 2007 season. Traffic management strategies and minor design changes to moderate the flow of visitors were recommended for the short term. For the long term, a more comprehensive management plan to assess and plan for resource use was recommended. In conjunction with this study, a request was made for Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands (ATPPL) funds for the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) elements needed to enable more effective bus traffic management at the Visitor Center. The project will focus on the goal of metering arriving and departing traffic through intelligent traffic systems and way-finding enhancements that mesh with State ITS architecture.

Task Descriptions

1. Project Management
   1. The purpose of this task is to provide for overall management during the course of the project. It includes all meetings, teleconferences, and other feedback and contact as required to successfully complete the project.
2. Data Collection, Review and Familiarity
   1. The purpose of this task is to gather, review and analyze all pertinent information regarding traffic management strategies at similar facilities, with an emphasis on the use of ITS. This task will include reviewing cruise ship data for the Port of Juneau (including how the cruise ships transport their customers to the various port activities), vehicle and visitor flows at the MGVC and State ITS architecture.
3. Concept of Operations
   1. A concept of operations document will be developed which will synthesize information from the Forest Service, State Transportation Officials, and tour operators. The document will serve as a foundational document for how the various ITS technologies are operated and used, from the perspectives of operators, maintainers and drivers. This document will address the environment in which the technologies will operate, how they interact with various software packages, their communications and power requirements, and similar characteristics. Using this approach can help to develop a specification which thoroughly meets ITS needs.
4. Simulation and Validation
   1. A micro-simulation model will be built to better understand the possible effects of various operational strategies. The model will provide estimates for average delays, number of vehicles waiting, and other measures necessary to simulate traffic and pedestrian flow as affected by proposed operational strategies. The micro-simulation model will also provide a graphical representation to allow staff and stakeholders a better understanding of the flow and queuing of all elements of traffic (buses, passenger cars, pedestrians).
5. Design & Maintenance Alternatives
   1. The design and maintenance alternatives document will provide a list of alternative technologies that could be implemented to address the issues at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. These alternatives will include relatively simple systems to highly automated systems. This document will be the foundation for deciding which technologies to implement.
6. Develop Specifications and Drawings
   1. A set of specifications and conceptual/site drawings, meeting industry standards, will be developed so that the Forest Service or other agency may issue a Request for Proposal or Request for Bids to obtain the necessary ITS equipment.
7. Preliminary Cost Estimate
   1. A preliminary cost estimate to procure and install selected ITS technologies will be provided, including material costs, labor, equipment, and special services necessary to implement the selected ITS technologies.
8. Contractor Selection
   1. On an as-needed basis and within reason, technical support services will be provided to the Forest Service during bid-evaluation and contractor selection for technology installation.
9. Installation, Inspection & Testing
   1. On an as-needed basis and within reason, on-site technical support service will be provided during the installation, inspection and testing of the ITS technologies to ensure that they are operating based on the specifications and proposals from the contractor(s). A quality control plan will be developed which will include the tests that will be performed by the installation contractor, the required frequencies, and acceptable tolerances necessary for a fully functional system; the quality control plan will be included in the specifications.
10. Training & Documentation
    1. An on-site training session will be provided to the Forest Service following the completion of installation and testing of ITS technologies to provide orientation to Forest Service personnel on the systems for operation. Documentation for technologies installed, operations, and maintenance will be provided during training.
11. Monitoring Plan
    1. Based on the strategies and technologies implemented, a monitoring plan will be developed to assist Forest Service in determining if the strategies and technologies are working as planned, and if the strategies and technologies are having their desired effect on traffic and visitor flow, and resource protection. This monitoring plan will include recommendations for data collection as well as performance measures.
12. Evaluation
    1. An evaluation will be performed following implementation of traffic management strategies and ITS technology installation. Data will be collected to determine impacts and improvements to the traffic flow (vehicular, pedestrian) relative to system use and functionality. The results of the evaluation will be included in the final report for the project, as well as a description of how ITS technologies implemented can adapt to growth of visitation and foreseeable changes in operations.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

True

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

True

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Rural transportation, intelligent transportation systems, and public lands

Partners

Tongass National Forest (US Forest Service); Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities