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Supporting Alternative Transportation Systems in National Parks (FHWA)
At Yosemite National Park, a Volpe team conducted noise measurements on a zero-emission Ford "Th!nk" vehicle. The measuring device is just to the right of the vehicle.
(Photo courtesy of Ms. Nancy Garrity) |
In cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Lands Highway Core Business Unit, the Volpe Center supports a comprehensive program of the National Park Service aimed at developing and implementing alternative transportation systems that may help reduce air and noise pollution in the National Parks. One project studies impacts of vehicular traffic on park air and noise quality. As part of this project, the team is examining the Ford "Th!nk" vehicle, a zero-emission electric vehicle being used by some park rangers, maintenance staff, and park volunteers. The overall project goal is to model and predict park air and noise quality improvements that might be achieved through the substitution of more fuel-efficient, quieter vehicles, and/or alternative transportation solutions.
From August 22 to 28, Ms. Nancy Garrity and Messrs. Michael Lau, George Noel, and Clay Reherman of the Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division visited Yosemite National Park in California. The Volpe team performed noise measurements of the battery-powered "Th!nk" vehicle and a diesel-powered park shuttle bus. They also recorded visitor vehicle information for an emissions database; additional visitor vehicle data will be collected from Point Reyes National Seashore and Joshua Tree National Park, both in California. The team will use this data to complete Visitor Vehicular Impact Studies at the Parks.
