E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Transportation Study for Bodie Island National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Cape Hatteras National Seashore

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Agenda Introductions Introductions Study Purpose and Background Study Purpose and Background Study Team and Approach Study Team and Approach Discussion Discussion Ongoing Transportation and other Major Initiatives Ongoing Transportation and other Major Initiatives Partnership Opportunities Partnership Opportunities Transportation Issues and Concerns Transportation Issues and Concerns Transportation Ideas and Solutions Transportation Ideas and Solutions

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Introductions Cape Hatteras National Seashore Cape Hatteras National Seashore NPS Southeast Region NPS Southeast Region U.S. DOT Volpe Center U.S. DOT Volpe Center Stakeholders Stakeholders

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Background How project came about/why it was initiated How project came about/why it was initiated Park service project Park service project Goals/objectives and needs Goals/objectives and needs

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Background: What is an Alternative Transportation Study? Alternative Transportation Systems Alternative Transportation Systems Bus, Trolley, Boat, Ferry, Multi-modal trails (bicycle/pedestrian), Train, Tram, Carriage, etc. Bus, Trolley, Boat, Ferry, Multi-modal trails (bicycle/pedestrian), Train, Tram, Carriage, etc. Process Process Data collection and assessment of existing conditions Data collection and assessment of existing conditions Transportation-specific analyses and research Transportation-specific analyses and research Development and assessment of strategies/alternatives Development and assessment of strategies/alternatives Results Results Support management decisions (e.g., technology selection) Support management decisions (e.g., technology selection) Assess financial feasibility Assess financial feasibility Develop or improve partnerships Develop or improve partnerships Purchase, lease, construct, or contract new or enhanced services and/or facilities Purchase, lease, construct, or contract new or enhanced services and/or facilities

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Background: Funding FTA Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in the Parks Program FTA Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in the Parks Program FHWA/FTA Federal Lands Alternative Transportation Study (2001) FHWA/FTA Federal Lands Alternative Transportation Study (2001) Program included in SAFETEA-LU (2005) Program included in SAFETEA-LU (2005) Annual funding level of ~ $20-25 million Annual funding level of ~ $20-25 million projects funded each year projects funded each year Program Goals Program Goals Conserve natural, historical, and cultural resources; Conserve natural, historical, and cultural resources; Reduce congestion and pollution; Reduce congestion and pollution; Improve visitor mobility and accessibility; Improve visitor mobility and accessibility; Enhance visitor experience; and Enhance visitor experience; and Ensure access to all, including persons with disabilities. Ensure access to all, including persons with disabilities.

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Purpose Identify optimal transportation strategies for serving visitors originating from the villages along Cape Hatteras destined for sites within the Bodie Island District of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (e.g. Nags Head, Rodanthe and the other villages to the north and south). Identify optimal transportation strategies for serving visitors originating from the villages along Cape Hatteras destined for sites within the Bodie Island District of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (e.g. Nags Head, Rodanthe and the other villages to the north and south).

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Visitation Steady annual visitation of ~2.25 million visits to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Steady annual visitation of ~2.25 million visits to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Peak visitation in June, July, and August (40-50% of total visits) but significant visitation in spring and fall as well Peak visitation in June, July, and August (40-50% of total visits) but significant visitation in spring and fall as well Dare County peak seasonal population is 200,000 (Memorial Day to Labor Day) compared to year-round population of ~30,000 (Dare County Land Use Plan 2002) Dare County peak seasonal population is 200,000 (Memorial Day to Labor Day) compared to year-round population of ~30,000 (Dare County Land Use Plan 2002)

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Transportation Issues and Opportunities (Preliminary) Congestion due to significant seasonal visitation Congestion due to significant seasonal visitation Parking shortages due to high demand and limited supply Parking shortages due to high demand and limited supply Safety concerns due to road width (Access Road), travel speeds and shoulders for bicycling (NC12) Safety concerns due to road width (Access Road), travel speeds and shoulders for bicycling (NC12) Limited access to beach and to west and south Bodie Island Limited access to beach and to west and south Bodie Island Vulnerability of infrastructure to storm damage, barrier island dynamics, and climate change Vulnerability of infrastructure to storm damage, barrier island dynamics, and climate change Future increases in visitation due to: Future increases in visitation due to: Restoration of Bodie Island Lighthouse Restoration of Bodie Island Lighthouse New Visitor Center for Bodie Island District New Visitor Center for Bodie Island District Bonner Bridge replacement Bonner Bridge replacement

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Area Bodie Island District of Cape Hatteras National Seashore

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Area (continued) Whalebone Junction Information Station, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Area (continued) Bodie Island District, Cape Hatteras National Seashore NC 12 Access Road Visitor Center and Lighthouse Coquina Beach Visitor Center and Lighthouse

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Area (continued) Marina and Oregon Inlet Campground, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Team National Park Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore National Park Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore Darrell Echols, Deputy Superintendant Darrell Echols, Deputy Superintendant Greg Robinson, Public Health Specialist/Civil Engineer Greg Robinson, Public Health Specialist/Civil Engineer National Park Service Southeast Region Office National Park Service Southeast Region Office Elisabeth Hahn, Transportation Planner/NPS Project Manager Elisabeth Hahn, Transportation Planner/NPS Project Manager Lee Edwards, FLHP Program Liaison/Project Oversight Lee Edwards, FLHP Program Liaison/Project Oversight U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center Lindsey Morse, Community Planner/Consultant Project Manager Lindsey Morse, Community Planner/Consultant Project Manager Charlotte Burger, Community Planner/Consultant Research and Analysis Support Charlotte Burger, Community Planner/Consultant Research and Analysis Support Kirsten Holder, Analyst/Consultant Research and Analysis Support Kirsten Holder, Analyst/Consultant Research and Analysis Support

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Approach: Tasks Evaluation of the existing transportation network and existing and future project forecasted travel conditions; Evaluation of the existing transportation network and existing and future project forecasted travel conditions; Assessment of unmet transportation needs (existing and projected); and Assessment of unmet transportation needs (existing and projected); and Identification of alternative sustainable integrated transportation strategies to address needs. Identification of alternative sustainable integrated transportation strategies to address needs. Consideration of multimodal and intermodal strategies that promote interconnectivity; this may include new systems or expansion or enhancement of existing systems. Consideration of multimodal and intermodal strategies that promote interconnectivity; this may include new systems or expansion or enhancement of existing systems. Coordination of efforts with Park’s ORV Management Plan and General Management Plan, the Outer Banks Transportation Study, the Outer Banks Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan and other relevant plans, initiatives, studies, and planning partners. Coordination of efforts with Park’s ORV Management Plan and General Management Plan, the Outer Banks Transportation Study, the Outer Banks Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan and other relevant plans, initiatives, studies, and planning partners.

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Approach: Timeline Kick-Off Meeting and Initial Site Visit Jan Conditions Inventory/ Assessment Needs Assessment Alternative Transportation Analysis Sept. 1June 1March 1

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Discussion Ongoing transportation and other major initiatives Ongoing transportation and other major initiatives Partnership Opportunities Partnership Opportunities Transportation issues and concerns for Bodie Island Transportation issues and concerns for Bodie Island Transportation ideas and solutions for Bodie Island Transportation ideas and solutions for Bodie Island

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Cape Hatteras National Seashore National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior