Impacts of Transit in National Parks and Gateway Communities

Abstract

The U.S. National Park Service has worked to reduce traffic congestion in parks through a transit service. Consistently, communities around parks that are planning for transit want to know what effects they will experience from introductions or changes in service. This research developed a comprehensive understanding of the encountered effects. Seven case study investigations revealed no clear patterns in visitation changes at parks with recent transit initiatives. Circulation and economic impacts depended on local situations and followed from transit planning decisions. The case study findings provide models that can inform planning for continued expansion of transit on public lands.

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