Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg started new initiatives on Nov. 17 that will increase access, support jobs and enhance the transportation experience on public lands across the country.
“As our national parks and public lands experience a surge of visitation, we must be innovative in our approaches to welcome people from every zip code, while also ensuring that we pass on these natural and cultural resources to future generations," Haaland said. "Through this partnership with transportation, our teams can advance the intersection of transportation innovations and access to public spaces. When we talk about and plan around access, we must do so with an eye toward equity. I look forward to working closely with Secretary Buttigieg and his team to ensure that sustainability and equitable access to parks and public lands remain hallmarks of our work.”
At an event in Washington, D.C., the two secretaries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will strengthen the departments’ coordination regarding infrastructure investments and the deployment of innovative technologies at National Park Service-managed sites. The MOU outlines priority initiatives – including innovative technology pilots, shared mobility integration, the electrification of major transit fleets and additional electric vehicle charging stations – which will guide the Department of Transportation’s efforts to build world-class transportation systems that provide enhanced access for car-free trips, interpretation, education and enjoyment opportunities to visitors who want to experience public lands.
The Departments of the Interior and Transportation partnership dates from nearly 100 years ago, with what was then the Bureau of Public Roads. As the Bureau became modernized throughout the 20th century, major rehabilitation projects and new transit became possible at our nation’s most treasured sites, including at Acadia, Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks. Today’s announcement refreshes that partnership by focusing on generational investments in the newest innovation and technology.
