Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Vehicular and Pedestrian Traffic Congestion Study

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center2007PDFTech ReportPeirce, SeanRitter, Gary T.Spiller, DavidMachek, Elizabeth C.Fisher, Frances B.John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)United States. Forest ServiceUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Western Federal Lands Highway DivisionJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)AlaskaTour busesBusesTraffic congestionTransportation planningPedestriansTouristsTour busMotor coach congestionTongas National ForestMendenhall GlacierDOT-VNTSC-USDA-07-01HW3EVXA9061A-11100500-120Final report; 7/2006-5/2007The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center of Tongass National Forest in Juneau, Alaska is experiencing vehicular and pedestrian congestion. This study was initiated by the United States Forest Service, Alaska Region, in cooperation with Western Federal Lands Highway Division of the Federal Highway Administration. The study objective was to identify feasible alternatives for alleviating vehicular and pedestrian congestion. Safety and wayfinding improvements are recommended before the opening of the 2007 season. In the short term, traffic management strategies and minor design changes to moderate the flow of visitors are recommended and four alternatives are provided. In the long term, a more comprehensive management plan to assess and plan for resource use is recommended. Transportation considerations for that planning process are provided.133