Transportation Improvement Plan for Naval Air Station Patuxent River | Maryland, US

Challenge
Faced with unprecedented growth within its area of responsibility, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Naval District Washington (NDW) commissioned WSP to prepare a Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for NAS Patuxent River to facilitate realization of its “Smart Growth” vision for the region. The TIP must execute NDW’s over-arching goals for growth management in alignment with its regional transportation vision and installation guidance.  Integrating recommendations for transportation improvements with strategies for growth management and compact development required transportation planning, urban design and landscape architectural techniques that addressed the environmental and human impacts of the transportation system.

Solution
WSP used an interdisciplinary approach to integrate operational factors into design solutions meeting urban design and environmental objectives. Recommendations provide for vehicular and pedestrian connectivity and alternative transportation options, such as bicycling and transit, which complement the installation master plan’s compact future development centers. Innovative aspects of the plan include:

• The concept of “alternative mobility hubs” to encourage the use of transportation modes other than single occupancy vehicles, both within the installation and for commuting.
• Provisions for environmentally preferable stormwater management through a variety of “green infrastructure” best practices, such as parking guidelines to ensure the facilities are well integrated with a consistent, interconnected pedestrian network; reduction of impervious surfaces; and landscape features to reduce negative environmental and aesthetic impacts.      
• Complete Street design standards and pilot project design for priority corridors, pedestrian and bicycle facilities and low impact development.