Lowell National Historical Park alternative transportation system historic trolley planning study

FinalPDFTech ReportDOT-VNTSC-NPS-02-03PMIS 55358NPS TIC No. D-80Transportation planningLight rail transitTrolley carsTraffic congestionRegional developmentRegional economicsNational parksMassachusettsUnited States. National Park ServiceSheehan, TerrenceBrodesky, RobertBryan, Jeffrey R.Clarke, RandyFord, FrankJacobs, MichaelMickela, BarryPeterson, ScottPlosky, EricRitter, Gary T.Smith, TerrenceValihura, P. J.Boiney, JohnGill, RossHallett, RobertHarris, EmmettLawler, MaryPocaro, RichardSegev, EranSeetharaman,AnushaJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)AGR-PUBLIC AND TRIBAL LANDS-PUBLIC AND TRIBAL LANDSNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-PLANNING AND POLICYNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-Transit Planning and PolicyVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterThis report assesses opportunities for expanding Lowell National Historical Park\ue2\u20ac\u2122s historic trolley line by implementing a light rail system reminiscent of late 19th/early 20th Century trolley lines. This is in line with the Park Service\ue2\u20ac\u2122s Transportation Mission to preserve and protect resources while providing safe and enjoyable access within the National Parks by using sustainable, appropriate, integrated transportation solutions.This Plan uses as a starting point the existing trolley system, the Park Service and the LNHP commitment to Alternative Transportation Systems (ATS), and the on-going efforts to revitalize the City of Lowell. Objectives relate to mobility for visitors and residents, reducing traffic congestion, intra-regional connectivity, economic development, and maintaining and interpretive and educational context. Four major routes are identified and options for these routes evaluated, using the Objectives and Route Selection Criteria