DOI DOT MOU Accomplishments 2022

An electric bus used in a demonstration at Zion National Park during project planning.

NPS Photo

On November 17, 2021 Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland and Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg signed the DOI-DOT Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Regarding Transportation Innovation in the National Park System. The MOU strengthens the collaboration between the NPS and DOT to continue working together to proactively address emerging mobility. It outlines initiatives to guide the Departments’ efforts to build world-class transportation systems that provide enhanced, equitable access for car-free trips. In the year since the MOU signing, the Departments have worked together, leveraging funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to enhance sustainable, equitable access. The NPS, through its Emerging Mobility Program, continues to advance demonstration projects across different park contexts and emerging mobility topic areas. The NPS, in collaboration with DOT, has made progress in each of the project initiatives outlined in the MOU:

Innovative Technology Pilots

• The NPS, with technical assistance from the DOT Volpe Center, evaluated the two 2021 automated shuttle pilots at Yellowstone National Park and Wright Brothers National Memorial, and published evaluation reports in June 2022 (summary report). In addition to analyzing vehicle data and survey results, the full report documents lessons learned related to infrastructure requirements, contracting, planning, communications, technology, evaluation, visitor experience and management, and accessibility.
• Following the success of these first two emerging mobility pilots in 2021, the NPS Emerging Mobility Program is expanding to identify 5-10 pilots at parks across the country to launch over the next two years. BIL provides opportunities to fund this prioritized set of emerging mobility pilots.
• Building upon the partnership between DOI and DOT, the NPS and State of Michigan signed an MOU in April 2022 and are currently working with five NPS park units in Michigan, as well as state agencies and local stakeholders, to identify opportunities for emerging mobility pilots.
• The NPS is focusing on 10 park units over the next year that have surrounding, underserved communities to consider new transportation connections and services.

Shared Mobility Integration

• The NPS convened a group of NPS and DOT subject matter experts to focus on ridehailing and micromobility. The NPS met with ridehailing service providers and is currently providing technical assistance to appropriate parks to assist them in setting up ridehailing pick-up/drop-off areas.
• The NPS is developing regulations that would govern the use of micromobility devices, such as e-scooters and Segways, in park areas. NPS and DOT subject matter experts are working together to prepare a proposed rule that the NPS intends to publish in early 2023 for public review and comment. More information can be found at reginfo.gov.

Electrification of Major Transit Fleets

• Zion National Park continues advancing its transit fleet electrification, with $33 million awarded by DOT’s Nationally Significant Federal Land and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) program in 2021. The new transit fleet will include 26 battery-electric buses and 27 charging stations to replace the current propane-powered transit fleet.

• The NPS applied for $56.8 million in BIL funding through an NSFLTP grant in October 2022 to address Grand Canyon National Park South Rim shuttle bus fleet replacement needs and electrification upgrades, implementation of electric bus charging infrastructure, and construction of a modernized bus maintenance facility.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations

• The NPS developed an Electric Vehicle 5-Year Work Plan outlining current activities and challenges, planned activities related to EV policy and guidance, infrastructure and utilities, charging stations, fleet electrification, asset management, workforce development, and financial analysis. This plan was presented to the White House in spring 2022. The NPS is now working to implement the Work Plan.