Science & Tech

Developing technology for safety

NL

25 Sep 2025 — 2 min read

Image by Jacob W. Frank (Frank, 2021)

National Park Service (NPS) is an organization that preserves and cares for the national parks. They also manage and maintain the road systems in parks and seek to improve the conditions of roads and safety. This article takes a look at the technology used in relation to transportation in parks, which can be used as inspiration for how designers can use technology to aid in designs.

This excerpt from the article talks about new technology in parks:

"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” (National Park Service, 2021).

“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” (National Park Service, 2021).

Image from NPS (National Park Service, 2021)

NPS discusses the rapidly advancing technology in the transportation industry and engages with the Department of Transportation to conduct research on the trends of technology. NPS have been using technology to provide information on real time travel conditions, shuttle schedules, congestion and parking availability to improve people’s experience and safety at parks. NPS have also been looking into technology that have automated driving systems to improve driving safety.

Developing new technology is great to improve people’s safety on the roads as well as protecting wildlife. For a designer, keeping in mind the safety of people and the environment is crucial for all designs.

References.

National Park Service. (2021). Innovation - Transportation. Nps.gov. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/transportation/innovation.htm

Frank, J. W. (2021). Two visitor shuttle systems tested in Yellowstone. https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2020/10/yellowstone-national-park-test-shuttles-2021

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