Thinking Outside the Car - MISS Multi-Modal ATP

Transportation Scholars Program: Helping our National Parks

2010-02-01T10:49:00.001-06:00

A description of the NPF Transportation Scholar program and recent projects.

http://yptblog.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/transportation-scholars-program/#respond

Urban national park celebrates Mississippi River

2010-01-22T10:57:00.002-06:00

The Freshwater Society's latest newsletter includes a feature on the park--complete with quotes from Park Superintendent Paul Labovitz and Ranger Dressler.

http://www.freshwater.org/index.php/programs/whats-new/266-mississippi-river-national-park-hidden-in-plain-sight-of-28-million-twin-cities-residents

"Women are considered an “indicator species”

2009-10-21T10:13:00.005-05:00

for bike-friendly cities for several reasons."

Gotcha! Interesting article. You can make your own determination about indicator species though.

I want to discuss off-street bike paths located along rivers and in parks. They occur for several reasons. Implementation convenience is one. Another, bicycling is primarily considered recreation, not transportation. Locating off-street paths along rivers such as the Mississippi can serve both recreation and transportation needs. The non-motorized transportation plan we are developing will close gaps and make connections to the MRT. The goal is to provide corridor access to both recreation and transportation users. Strategic improvements, connections to transit, filling gaps, etc. will make the MRT a viable transportation option for many users, while providing a recreation experience within a National Park!

How to Get More Bicyclists on the Road
To boost urban bicycling, figure out what women want

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=getting-more-bicyclists-on-the-road

"Transportation is the Key

2009-10-20T10:51:00.010-05:00

to the development of any community." This intriguing sign was discovered during one of my first corridor site visits. Since that time a lot has happened in our efforts developing a nonmotorized transportation plan. Over the past several months I have reviewed and written a summary analysis for 73 plans and sub plans, at the state, county, regional and local level. The primary focus is on transportation, transit and specifically the MRT and connections to it and the river corridor. I am now revising and refining the final draft (#3) which will be provided to the consultant to build on.
Mapping the existing, planned and proposed route of the MRT is a critical piece of the project. To successfully accomplish this I am collaborating with the consultant's GIS project coordinator. My role is to locate, secure, compile, and deliver the missing GIS components. Possibly a time consuming task.
Yesterday was our first monthly project progress meeting. This includes the management team from the Denver Service Center (DSC), the contractor HDR in Minneapolis, and the MISS project team in Saint Paul. The conference call method seems to be an effective way to collaborate. My task is to compile the meeting minutes - a task removed from the consultant contract.

A swing vote on the Inver Grove Heights Swing Bridge?

2009-10-15T09:07:00.003-05:00

Inver Grove Heights asks Dakota County for $300,000 to help it refurbish the historic bridge.

We saw the deteriorating Rock Island Swing Bridge on the kick-off corridor orientation. Plans are to turn this into a scenic Mississippi River viewpoint. It could potentially connect to the MRT to provide a visual and historic connection to the river.

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/64188727.html?page=2&c=y

U collaborates with National Park Service

2009-10-15T09:02:00.002-05:00

The Gopher Ranger group will give students a chance to practice environmental stewardship and learn about careers in park services.

More evidence of successful collaboration between the NPS and Partners!

http://www.mndaily.com/2009/10/13/u-collaborates-national-park-service

Audubon Magazine

2009-09-09T13:21:00.004-05:00

The Ken Burns Effect
An interview with the famed filmmaker about his new documentary on the national parks.
Audubon Magazine

Corridor Orientation & ATP Kick-Off

2009-08-27T11:26:00.007-05:00

Well, the past six weeks have been extremely busy. Tasks have fallen into the following categories, and generally proceeded in this order:

Corridor Orientation

Preparations for the Kick-Off Meeting

Project Kick-Off & Field Trips
Plan Review, Summary & Analysis

Initially, I was not convinced that corridor orientation was necessary for me since I live here. After our first canoe trip I quickly understood the importance of actively engaging with the river. This provides an experience from which I can draw and one similar to other park users. We saw amazing wildlife. A wild turkey hen with a rafter of chicks following her and a doe with a fawn up north. One of the most impressive sights was seeing a bald eagle chasing an osprey who had just caught a fish! This occurred right near the Ford Parkway in the center of the Twin Cities!

Preparations for the project kick-off and field trips were time consuming but worthwhile. A lot of scheduling, organizing, and collecting materials.

The project kick-off consisted of several meetings to review project scope, provide a context and history, and introduce the park to the consultant and DSC. We planned several field trips to orient everyone to the corridor. The first was a boat ride covering most of the mid section of the river. The second was a 30-mile bike tour primarily covering the confluence area where we followed several recently installed MRT signs! Lastly, a driving tour from St. Paul to Hastings with a memorable stop at Shaar's Bluff. Absolutely stellar views of the river as it widens!

My scope of work has increased dramatically to include collecting, reviewing and providing a summary analysis of all local, regional, state plans. The summaries, a foundation for the consultant's work, need to be completed immediately. This task will identify plans beneficial for use in developing the ATP. So, for the next several weeks this will be my singular focus!

Warm Welcome

2009-07-13T10:01:00.006-05:00

Well, I am finally catching up on my posts. I was once told, by a voracious blog consumer, that providing a personal perspective adds interest. Here goes!

The NPS MISS Staff have provided nothing but a warm welcome. To recap, I met with Susan Overson, a Landscape Architect and my immediate supervisor in May. She introduced me to the entire staff during an office tour, provided a lot of background material, and discussed my role as the Transportation Scholar.

The first week of June I attended the Transportation Scholar Training held at the NPS Denver Service Center. The program was developed by the National Park Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service and Eno Transportation Foundation. It was excellent! With reluctance I arrived - and with enthusiasm I departed! Through a series of technical presentations, formal and informal discussions, a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park, and teleconferences with our supervisors we learned about the NPS and NPS transportation systems, as well as our projects. Thanks to Ivan, et al. for a comprehensive program that has provided me with a solid foundation.

The second week in June I officially began my scholar position. The MISS NPS office is in Downtown St. Paul right off the Mississippi River! The office is split between the first and second floors of a 32 story mixed-use residential tower (middle building in photo). This is probably a bit more urban than the other scholars' offices. Well, the response to my arrival and the project have been overwhelmingly positive. Both from NPS staff and the project partners. I have been impressed with how everyone is willing to go out of their way help. Everyone seems genuinely enthusiastic about the Multi-modal ATP and the possibilities it will create for the corridor.

kare11.com | Twin Cities, MN | Mpls kids trade pencils for paddles

2009-07-10T11:37:00.002-05:00

kare11.com Twin Cities, MN Mpls kids trade pencils for paddles

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Free interpretive programs for Amtrak riders

2009-07-10T09:07:00.002-05:00

Park Service volunteers provide the soundtrack for the scenery

The MNRRA has a program on the Empire builder - see the last itinerary. I am hoping to take this trip from Saint Paul to La Crosse.

Paddle it, protect it

2009-07-06T17:22:00.001-05:00

Paddle it, protect it

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Family Outings: Free bike tours along scenic banks of Mississippi River - Minnmoms.com

2009-07-06T11:36:00.003-05:00

Family Outings: Free bike tours along scenic banks of Mississippi River - Minnmoms.com

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MISS vs MNRRA

2009-07-02T11:58:00.001-05:00

There is some confusion and debate over the acronyms for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Here is what I have discovered. MISS is the official code used by the NPS to identify the park. MNRRA is the unofficial acronym used locally and is how most project partners know the park.

A National Park in My Own Backyard!

2009-06-30T13:52:00.012-05:00

Did you know that there is a National Park in the Twin Cities? Prior to applying to be a Transportation Scholar, I certainly did not. I now know that the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area runs from Dayton and Ramsey 72 miles south to Hastings. Since I live in Minneapolis I did not have to move to the park, unlike the three other transportation scholars. In this post I will summarize the Transportation Scholar Program, the project scope, my assignment and the goals.

The Transportation Scholar program is designed to provide expert technical assistance from transportation professionals on a wide range of transportation issues: including transportation planning, analysis, coordination with local communities, and environmental and traffic studies. It was developed to support and promote sustainable transportation solutions that help preserve park resources and enhance visotors' experience.

The project scope is to Develop a Multi-Modal Alternative Transportation Plan (Plan) for the MISS to determine how best to provide a more unified and interconnected multi-modal transportation system specific to the 72-mile, multi-jurisdictional, national river corridor. The NPS will work with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn DOT), the Metropolitan Council, and local partners to develop the Plan. The plan will focus on how best to improve circulation and connect non-motorized, transit opportunities in the MISS with existing and proposed facilities on both sides of the river and via a continuous, 72-mile stretch of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT), a national millennium trail and the State's first Scenic Byway to be recommended as a transportation improvement. The MRT has the greatest potential for providing a safe, non-motorized experience along the river and for connecting to existing and proposed facilities, including the Great River Road National Scenic Byway. Recommendations for how to develop the areas alternative transportation system to improve circulation and visitation without increasing congestion will be a major focus of the Plan.

Transportation options in the MISS that can be interconnected include:

International air travel
Amtrak
Light and Commuter Rail
Bus and Trolley Routes
Bicycle and Pedestrian Trails

Some of the project goals include:

identifying gaps and potential improvements to the transportation systems to achieve full connectivity
maximize the number of bicycle commuters in the area.
reduce congestion
improve safety and accessibility
reduce stormwater runoff
improve scenic quality

The plan will also address marketing strategies that encourage the use of alternative transportation.

My assignment includes helping to develop recommendations and implementation strategies for how to cost-effectively maximize and promote an interconnected, non-motorized transit-friendly system and maximize transportation system investments in the river corridor. I will also help facilitate public outreach and intergovernmental collaboration during the Plan's development. Finally, I will serve as the single point of contact with the Plan's consultant and partners. All of this will certainly will keep me busy!