--National Park Service (NPS) Vehicle Design Workshop, Invitation to Comment

NA This special notice is being issued to advertise the results of a vehicle design working group for public involvement. The Volpe Center is supporting the National Park Service (NPS) as part of the implementation of new Alternative Transportation Systems (buses, trams, trolleys, etc.) in national parks. The (NPS) held a vehicle design workshop to discuss readily-implementable design concepts for NPS vehicles for the future. The NPS anticipates that it will ultimately procure these modified vehicles using applicable federal procurement procedures. The objectives for these new vehicles include: 1) minimizing any impact on natural and cultural resources; 2) enhancing the visitor experience; and 3) promoting the NPS image through new vehicle design. Concepts for transit vehicles were discussed according to the following categories in breakout sessions: 1) small buses; 2) medium buses; 3) large buses; and 4) shuttles and trams. Vehicle design and manufacturing industry representatives were invited to participate in the vehicle design workshop that was held March 25-28, 2002. The goal of the vehicle design workshop was to begin the process of defining a realistic and consistent set of design concepts for Park Service vehicles. This advertisement is an invitation for government, private industry, and the public to review and comment on the outcome of the aforementioned workshop. It is in the best interest of the National Parks that section 4 (Breakout Group Objectives) of the Workshop Summary, which can be found at the location noted below, be commented on. This is not a marketing opportunity, but rather a limited opportunity to become familiar with NPS vehicle design interests and to comment on the workshop summary of vehicle design issues as presented by the NPS. Please be advised that the vehicle design workshop summary is available on a U.S. Government web site for public review and comment, which can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/transportation/alt/vehicle_design/workshop.htm. Send responses and inquiries to: Barry Mickela, Volpe Center, Advanced Vehicle Technologies Division DTS-36, 55 Broadway, Kendall Sq., Cambridge, MA 02142. [email protected].