Michigan partners with National Park Service to implement mobility tech at state’s National Parks

What’s happening: The latest in a series of Mobility Challenges issued by the State of Michigan features a partnership between the State and the National Park Service — and those mobility companies up for the challenge. The National Park Michigan Mobility Challenge invites the global mobility community to offer their best ideas for introducing mobility tech to four of the state’s five National Parks.

What it is: The National Park Michigan Mobility Challenge (NPMMC) solicits advanced mobility and electrification technologies to be deployed at Keweenaw National Historical Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, River Raisin National Battlefield Park, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Grant opportunities will be available to those companies selected to pilot their technologies at the four different sites.

What they’re looking for: The NPMMC intends to bolster sustainability and accessibility efforts at the four parks. Three “Areas of Innovations” have been identified as priorities by the State, which include Small-Scale Electric Shuttles and Automated Driving Systems (ADS), Multimodal Electric Charging Hubs, and Micromobility, the latter of which could include “last mile” trips from campsites to the parks, bike shares, and more.

Why it’s important: “This Challenge is an unparalleled opportunity for Michigan’s brightest mobility-makers to pilot, demonstrate, and evaluate solutions that address some of the critical transportation challenges that visitors to Michigan’s National Parks face,” says Kathryn Snorrason, Interim Chief Mobility Officer of the State of Michigan. “We are proud to build on our first-of-its-kind partnership with the NPS to further drive innovation, travel, and a strong mobility future for Michigan’s residents and visitors alike.”

What’s next: Interested parties can visit this link to learn more about the NPMMC submission process, and an informational webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 6. Those submissions selected will receive follow-up conversations with the State and NPS, access to grant opportunities, implementation of the pilot program, and consideration for wider implementation at National Parks throughout the country.

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