The transportation industry is evolving at a rapid pace, aided by advancements in mobile and battery technology, new shared mobility business models, and automation. As a core participant in the Federal Lands Transportation Program, NPS engages in cooperative research and technology development, with the U.S. Department of Transportation (23 USC 201(c)(7)), which provides opportunities for parks to be a test bed for transportation innovation.The National Park Service is proactively adapting to industry trends that are making the transportation system increasingly connected, autonomous, and shared.
Connected – Traveler Information Technologies
The NPS is using traveler information technologies as a cost-effective way to reduce staff time devoted to directing traffic, enforce road closures, and seamlessly share transportation information with visitors. These encompass a range of technologies that can provide information about travel conditions, shuttle schedules, congestion, and parking availability. Part of the NPS strategy includes deploying infrastructure, also known as intelligent transportation systems (ITS), like transit vehicle locator systems, vehicle and parking lot counters, and variable message signs. The widespread adoption of smartphones and mobile technology also provides an opportunity to share real-time transportation information with the traveling public. NPS provides digital transportation infrastructure for third-party navigation applications, including shuttle routes and stop locations, parking space availability, and road closure information. NPS is enhancing the NPS app to integrate and provide visitors with trip planning and other transportation-related information.
Autonomous – Transit Demonstrations
Over the past decade, significant advancements have been made in driving automation technologies, ranging from advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that help support human drivers by providing minor interventions when needed to Automated Driving Systems (ADS) that serve as an operator and can drive the vehicle without input from a human driver. As these technologies continue to advance, they are changing how people access and engage with national parks and introduce new considerations for NPS related to the development and maintenance of transportation systems. Building upon lessons learned from the automated shuttle pilots at Yellowstone National Park and Wright Brothers National Memorial in 2021, the NPS tested an autonomous bus at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore during the summer of 2024. In November 2024, DOT Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS-JPO) awarded NPS funding over three years to pilot fixed route and on-demand service and driver assist technologies. Lessons learned from these pilots will inform a national automation strategic plan.
Shared – Ridehailing and Micromobility
In many urban and suburban national parks, visitors already access parks via ridehailing services and micromobility devices. NPS is working with ridehailing companies to establish dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas at select park locations in order to enhance visitor safety and efficiency and plan for special events while improving congestion management. Micromobility includes shared or private e-scooters, bikeshare, or other small, lightweight, wheeled conveyances. NPS is strategizing on how these devices can expand access to parks while minimizing negative effects. Washington D.C.’s Capital Bikeshare and Minneapolis’s Nice Ride feature bikeshare stations within NPS boundaries, planned in partnership with NPS. NPS sites in urban areas, such as the National Mall and Golden Gate National Recreation Area, are managing the arrival of dockless e-scooter systems by working with partners to exclude devices from sensitive areas and proactively remove abandoned scooters.
Related Items
Showing results 1-7 of 7
- Rocky Mountain National Park
Reducing Congestion in Rocky Mountain National Park's Bear Lake Corridor
- Type: Article
- Locations: Rocky Mountain National Park
Learn about the use of dynamic message board signs by Rocky Mountain National Park and their local and federal partners to reduce congestion.
- Type: Article
To keep innovation at the forefront of park efforts, the NPS is working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation on an automated vehicle (AV) shuttle demonstration for Wright Brothers National Memorial, a place where a dream became a reality for motorized flight.
- Type: Article
Innovation across the National Park Service (NPS) happens in many forms, including in the areas of transportation and mobility. To succeed at this work, we seek to collaborate with experts in the public, governmental, and private sectors. One such collaboration is the Public Lands Transportation Fellows (PLTF) Program.
- Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone launches pilot shuttle initiative; Always working to improve visitor safety, access and experience
- Type: News
- Locations: Yellowstone National Park
- Date Released: 2020-10-21
Furthering efforts to improve visitor services and respond to congestion, Yellowstone National Park has launched two exploratory visitor shuttle initiatives in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOT) Volpe National Transportation Systems Center.
- Wright Brothers National Memorial
State transportation, National Park Service officials mark a milestone in launch of self-driving shuttle
- Type: News
- Locations: Wright Brothers National Memorial
- Date Released: 2021-04-20
The N.C. Department of Transportation and the National Park Service today announced the launch of the first self-driving vehicle to be tested at a recreational public lands site in the nation.
- Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park Announces Vehicle Reservations for 19-day Pilot in October 2020
- Type: News
- Locations: Acadia National Park
- Date Released: 2020-08-04
The National Park Service has developed a vehicle reservation system to reduce severe traffic and parking congestion so visitors can plan ahead and have a more enjoyable visit to Acadia National Park. As a pilot to prepare for the 2021 season, reservations will be required for vehicles to enter the Sand Beach Entrance and Cadillac Summit Road from October 1 to 18, 2020. Vehicle reservations are available for purchase only online at Recreation.gov.
- Yellowstone National Park
Electric Vehicles in Yellowstone
- Type: Article
- Locations: Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone now has a network of charging opportunities for visitors driving electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and for staff conducting official park operations.
Showing results 1-10 of 246
- Fort Scott National Historic Site
Soldier vs. Settler: Railroads in Southeast Kansas
- Type: Article
- Locations: Fort Scott National Historic Site
The first railroad came to Fort Scott in 1869. As it built south, it cut through land already inhabited by squatters who had not yet legally staked their claims. Settlers attacked, and the US Army sent in soldiers to protect the railroad. How would you feel if someone tried to take land that you were living on?
- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
To the Moon and Back: A Revolution in Transportation
- Type: Article
- Locations: Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Transportation. It’s probably something most of us do not think much about. From cars, bikes, planes, and trains, most of us use some form of transportation to travel to work, school, appointments, and whatever else we do in life. Revolution. A term that can refer to a dramatic social or political change, or simply refer to a cyclical journey. In this article you will learn more about the Transportation Revolution in the Blackstone River Valley and its lasting legacies.
- Type: Article
Use this lesson to learn about the Liberty Bell and the nation's founding.
- Type: News
- Locations: Eisenhower National Historic Site, Gettysburg National Military Park
- Date Released: 2024-12-04
Beginning January 4, 2025, the popular Winter Lecture series will begin at Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP). Featuring some of the best National Park Service rangers and historians from across the region, the 8-week Winter Lecture Series of hour-long talks will examine a wide array of subjects related to the American Civil War and Gettysburg history.
- Type: Article
The NPS is celebrating the 3- year anniversary of the Secretarial-level Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Regarding Transportation Innovation in the National Park System between the Departments of the Interior and Transportation (DOT).
- Monocacy National Battlefield
Worthington Farm (Clifton) Cultural Landscape
- Type: Article
- Locations: Monocacy National Battlefield
The Worthington Farm, also known as Clifton, is a component landscape of Monocacy National Battlefield. Located just west of the Thomas Farm and alongside the Monocacy River, the property's patchwork of fields and woodlands represents the agricultural landscape that was present here in 1800s. The Worthington House is the only building dating to the time of the Civil War Battle of Monocacy.
- Type: Article
- Locations: Glacier National Park
- Offices: Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center
Sustainable decision making has been at the forefront of many park operations and Glacier is no exception. The Green Team at Glacier National Park, founded in 2004, have laid groundwork for sustainability initiatives both in and out of the park, furthering the decree of protecting and preserving Glacier for current and future generations.
- Type: Article
- Locations: Glacier National Park
- Offices: Climate Change, Climate Change Landscape Conservation Corps, Climate Change Response Program
This is a short history of the solutions and benefits to climate change at Glacier. Glacier National Park has already begun an effort to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. From Polebridge and Goat Haunt to the Apgar Visitor Center and park headquarters Glacier is transitioning to renewable sources of energy throughout the park.
- Acadia National Park
Portraits of Acadia: Sue Violette
- Type: Article
- Locations: Acadia National Park
Sue Violette, Island Explorer bus driver
- Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg National Military Park Announces Upcoming Road Paving Project at Culp's Hill
- Type: News
- Locations: Gettysburg National Military Park
- Date Released: 2024-07-22
Beginning Monday July 29, park roads on the eastern portion of the battlefield in the Culp’s Hill and Spangler’s Spring areas, Coster Avenue, and Benner Hill will be repaved. This three-month project will address road surfaces that are at the end of their lifespan.
Last updated: March 24, 2025