Congestion 

Assessment

White Sands National 

Monument

December 2018

WASO Congestion Management 

Program

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 2

Contents

Congestion Assessments Description ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Background ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4

Congestion Problems: Locations, Frequency and Impacts ....................................................................................................................................... 5

Congestion-Related Data, Plans and Trends............................................................................................................................................................ 10

1960s Road & Parking Lot Designs....................................................................................................................................................................... 10

1976 Master Plan ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10

1978 Transportation Study .................................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Visitation Trends.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11

2012 Visitor Study................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13

2016 Foundation Document................................................................................................................................................................................ 13

New Mexico Department of Transportation Road Safety Audit for US Route 70 (MP 200) – May 2014............................................................ 13

Potential Legislative Boundary Expansion ........................................................................................................................................................... 14

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms ................................................................................. 14

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking .......................................................................................................................... 14

Parking Lot Demand Analysis............................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Recommendations for Congestion Management.................................................................................................................................................... 16

Next Steps................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21

Attachments:............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21

Congestion Assessment Process and Participants............................................................................................................................................... 21

1960s Road and Parking Lot Designs ................................................................................................................................................................... 21

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms ................................................................................. 21

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associate Preliminary Designs ...................................................................... 21

Parking Lot Demand Analysis............................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 3

Congestion Assessments Description

Congestion Assessments provide short-term technical transportation support to national parks, in cooperation with regional transportation 

coordinators. Parks with congestion have difficult to manage challenges which impact visitor experience, resources, safety, asset management 

and park operations. 

These assessments use the first three (3) steps in the 7-step Congestion Management Toolkit process. Assessments use a structured approach 

to exploring high-level park congestion issues and information, then matches those issues with a wide range of potential congestion mitigation

tools at the end of the report. Assessments are not decision-making documents or transportation plans. Post-assessment technical support is 

available from regional transportation coordinators, the Denver Service Center, Federal Lands Highway (FHWA) and the Volpe National 

Transportation Systems Center. 

For more information about the 

Congestion Management Program and 

related technical support, please contact 

Linda MacIntyre, Program Manager at 

303 969-2483. The Congestion 

Management Toolkit can be found at 

www.nps.gov/transportation/pdfs/NPSCMS_Toolkit.pdf. 

Figure 1. The NPS Congestion Management Process
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 4

Background

White Sands National Monument was established on January 18, 1933 under the presidential proclamation of President Herbert Hoover “for the 

preservation of the white sands and additional features of scenic, scientific, and educational interest . . . .” The monument is situated about 15 

miles southwest of Alamogordo, New Mexico, at the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert in the Tularosa Basin. Positioned between the 

Organ, Sacramento, and San Andres mountain ranges, the monument protects a major portion (about 115 square miles) of the world’s largest 

gypsum dunefield. Among the most prominent features of the park are the brilliant white dunes that rise up to 60 feet in some places and move 

as much as 30 feet per year. What may appear to many as a virtual wasteland actually supports a diverse ecosystem that is uniquely adapted to 

the gypsum dune landscape. Described as part of a “wet eolian system,” the White Sands dunefield is influenced by eolian (wind-related) 

processes and surface and groundwater hydrology. The two principal features in White Sands National Monument—the gypsum dunes and 

playas—typify these processes, attesting to past and present eolian and pluvial (precipitation-related) activities and groundwater discharge. 

Alkali Flat covers the western portion of the monument and extends southward to Lake Lucero, a playa lake in the southeast corner of the 

monument. Here, dazzling displays of selenite crystals, which serve as the source of the gypsum dunes, extend across the alkaline mudflats of 

the lakeshore, creating a geologic showcase found nowhere else in the national park system. Uniquely adapted “whitecolored” species can also 

be found throughout the monument, and include an animal from every class of vertebrate, except birds, in North America. Additionally, White 

Sands National Monument is a host to a variety of vegetation communities including alkali sacaton grasslands, desert scrub (mesquite and 

creosote), and isolated groves of cottonwood trees.

While the gypsum dunes and the playas are the two principal features at the monument, White Sands National Monument is “more than a 

sandbox.” Extraordinary cultural, paleontological, and outdoor recreation opportunities abound. The monument features perhaps thousands of 

archeological sites scattered throughout the backcountry, including unique archeological sites called gypsum hearth mounds that are found 

nowhere else in North America. Additionally, the monument headquarters is an historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

This unique setting inspires learning, appreciation, and stewardship. The richness and diversity of human interaction with this region—from an 

unusual density of ancient hearth sites, to explorations of Spanish Conquistadores, to the posting of Buffalo Soldiers, to aeronautical 

experimentation—provides opportunities for comparing and contrasting the values and adaptations of former cultures to those of our own. 

About 12,000 to 24,000 years ago, the monument’s playa lakes were part of a much larger lake known as Lake Otero, which sustained a wide 

array of Cenozoic species. Today, Ice Age fossil trackways can be found along the much broader shoreline of the Lake Otero, including fossil track 

sites of Pleistocene mammals, primarily proboscidean (mammoth or mastodon), as well as a variety of other plant and animal life from the era. 

A mega-track site is the most significant paleontological discovery at White Sands National Monument to date, and represents one of the largest 

concentrations of Cenozoic fossil tracks within the United States and possibly the world. Significant trackways have also been found on Alkali Flat 

and the southern shoreline of Lake Lucero.

Over 600,000 people visited the monument in 2017 to experience and learn about this amazing place. In the process, visitors also enjoy one-of-a 
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 5

kind hiking, sledding, backcountry camping, and other dispersed outdoor recreation experiences. In addition, the wide-open landscape offers 

unparalleled scenery and vast, unfettered views spanning from horizon to horizon. By night, blankets of stars stretch across the sky, creating 

exceptional photographic and stargazing opportunities.

Congestion Problems: Locations, Frequency and Impacts

The Historic District of White Sands National Monument was constructed in the 1930s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The Monument is located on US Route 70 (US 70) in southern New Mexico between Alamogordo and Las Cruces. US 70 began as a dirt road that 

was paved in the 1950s and is currently a four lane divided highway. The visitor center and gift shop, administrative area, maintenance area, 

employee housing are located in the Historic District and is the focal point of congestion. The entrance to the Historic District was improved 

during the late 1970s. The Monument receives year round visitation that slightly peaks March through May. While the road leading to the 

Monument has been improved over time, and park visitation has increased by approximately 40% within the last ten year, there have been 

minimal changes to the historic district.

Signage on Dunes Drive just after entering the Monument is potentially confusing. Vehicles must quickly decide to make a right turn into the 

visitor center parking lot or proceed down Dunes Drive to the fee booth. This causes drivers to occasionally stop on Dunes Drive as they make 

their decision which can lead to backups on US 70. Due to the relatively short distance between the intersection of US 70 and the visitor center 

parking lot, congestion also occurs at the monument entrance when there is congestion in that parking lot. In addition, at the US 70 intersection, 

there have been traffic accidents including visitor fatalities associated with egress to the 

monument.

The south parking lot in front of the visitor center lot has 14 marked spaces for cars, six to nine 

spaces for large vehicles, and four accessible spaces. It is full and congested most days during 

peak season, special events, and holidays. Given the current striping, the lot is difficult for large 

vehicles to park and circulate. Parking in unmarked spots frequently prevents vehicles from 

easily entering or exiting the lot. People often stop at the Monument to use the restroom since it 

is convenient stop for travelers.

The north parking lot is behind the visitor center and has 26 marked spaces for cars. It is also full and congested most days during peak season, 

special events, and holidays, specifically if a RV attempts to park there. When both parking lots are full, Monument staff direct visitors to park in 

the administrative area. Pedestrian-vehicle conflicts occur as visitors walk across Dunes Drive from the administrative area to the visitor 

center/gift shop complex.

The Monument is mostly surrounded by US Department of Defense lands, including the White Sand Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base. 
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 6

There is a formal cooperative relationship between the Monument and the missile range to maintain the long-term success of their different 

missions. Military tests are conducted on the missile range three to five times per month that affects the monument. During the tests, the 

monument closes the gate on Dunes Drive north of the historic district to prevent visitors from accessing areas that are restricted due to safety 

concerns. The tests are two and three hours long, typically in the morning. When the tests are conducted midday, the Monument staff clears the 

closed portion of the monument prior to the test. Visitors wanting to access the dunes following a test, will line up in their cars on the 

Residential Road and through Residence Circle to wait for the dunes to re-open. 

Outside of the historic district, congestion also occurs at the entrance station during the full moon night events typically 6 times a year during 

the warmer months and holidays such as Easter. About 1,200 cars with two to three visitors per car enter the park during a three hour period for 

the full moon night events. About 2,000 cars enter the park during the Easter holiday weekend. During these times, vehicles will back up about a 

quarter of a mile onto US 70, without any place to safely turn around if they choose to leave the line. There are times, like during the White 

Sands Balloon Invitational in Alamogordo, that traffic will back up several miles starting at the monument and impedes traffic on US 70.

Table 1 summarizes the impacts congestion has on the Park, based on the NPS 2010 Congestion Survey of all parks. Collecting the same data

from all park units with Congestion Assessments enables NPS to consistently track issues at the Congestion Management Program level to 

identify trends.
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 7

Table 1

Congestion Survey Questions (7) Park Responses

1) What are the impacts of congestion on visitor experience and 

resources? 

Select one or more: 

X visitor experience

X safety

X park operations

X park facilities

__ natural resources

X cultural resources

__ other 

2) How is safety affected by congestion? Select one or more: 

X ped/bike conflicts with vehicles

X delayed emergency response

X clustering of vehicle crashes 

__ ped/bike conflicts

__ other

OR

__ safety is not an issue

3) Where is congestion present in the park? Select one or more: 

X parking areas

X roadways providing access to the park

X visitor center

X park entrance station

__ primary park vehicle tour route

X pedestrian loading areas

__ pedestrian paths/trails

__ trailheads

__ scenic overlooks

__ transit stops

__ other park attractions
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 8

Congestion Survey Questions (7) Park Responses

4) During which of the following timeframes is congestion 

present?

Select one or more: 

__ only during major peak season holidays (1-10 days)

__ only during peak season (31-75 days/year)

X on weekends (52-114 days)

X on weekdays (more than 114 days)

X special events

5) Is the park actively managing congestion? The Monument has actively been managing traffic congestion since the 

1960s with monument staff along with considering infrastructure 

solutions that are described in congestion-related data, plans and 

trends section. Recently, the Monument has worked with the Harper’s 

Ferry Center to install new wayfinding signs and has been directing 

traffic during high congestion periods.

The Monument recently revisited restriping the south parking lot but 

determined to keep the previous configuration and is planning for a 

new parking expansion outside the historic district.

When entrance station congestion reaches the intersection with US 70, 

visitors are waved through the kiosk without paying the entrance fee, 

and visitors do not have the opportunity to ask questions or receive 

monument information and safety messages. 

The Monument is working with New Mexico Department of 

Transportation (NMDOT) to improve safety concerns due to vehicular 

backups at the monument entrance and the intersection of US 70. 

Those improvements are described in the congestion-related data, 

plans and trends section.

6) Has your current congestion mitigation strategy (or strategies) 

been successful?

Limited success.

7) Has the park been partnering with other groups or agencies to 

manage congestion?

X Yes

__ No

If yes, what groups or agencies? 

NMDOT, White Sands Missile Range, NM State Police, Otero County 

Sherriff Department, Border Patrol
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 9

Figure 2 
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 10

Congestion-Related Data, Plans and Trends

1960s Road & Parking Lot Designs

Congestion issues are not new at WHSA. The monument has been exploring potential infrastructure solutions since the 1960s and has provided 

the congestion assessment team with five design options to re-locate the entrance road, parking lots, and other facilities. Drawings of the 

options are attached. 

1976 Master Plan

Vehicular traffic congestion is identified at the beginning of the plan as a current and past problem potentially compromising the monuments 

natural resources and visitor experiences. The Plan states monument facilities cannot accommodate an increase in visitors because the entrance 

road at US 70 and the main visitor center parking lot have “...an incompatible mixture of automobile and pedestrian circulation. This situation is 

hazardous to the public, and must be corrected.”

The Plan includes recommendations to mitigate the vehicular traffic congestion and minimize vehicle-pedestrian conflicts:

1. Add an internal road parallel, and connected to the Heart of the Dunes Road to establish a one-way traffic pattern and increase roadway 

capacity.

2. Add a paved parking lot northwest of the visitor center, connected to Residential Drive and Heart of the Dunes Road.

3. Provide automobile caravan tours to Lake Lucero. 

1978 Transportation Study

This study states the congestion problem at the visitor center is related to the layout of the access roads, parking lot, and buildings. At the time

of the study, all traffic entering or leaving the monument had to drive through the visitor center parking lot causing confusion and unsafe 

conditions. Pedestrian/vehicular conflicts were also identified. The study makes these recommendations:

1. Construct new entrance road and implement parking lot modifications in the Visitor Center area to improve circulation, vehicular and 

pedestrian safety.

2. Do not build a new road (Dunes Drive) due to unacceptable significant adverse impacts.

3. Consider implementation of a transit system.

As a result of this study, a new entrance road was constructed and parking lot modifications were made. No further transportation 

improvements have been made in the historic district since these updates.
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 11

Visitation Trends

Figure 3 shows increasing recreation visitation from 1932 to 2017 with some fluctuations. Visitation was about at current levels during the mid 

to late 1990s followed by a decline. Within the past ten years, WHSA visitation has increased 40%. In 2018, visitation continues to rise. Figure 4 

displays recreation visits by month from 2008 to 2017 and shows that visitation is stable throughout the year with slight peaks in March and July. 

Recreation visits are estimated using inductive loop traffic counter that is located at the entrance road to the park. The vehicle count is reduced 

for non-recreation vehicles (actual count), non-reportable vehicles (30 per day), and buses. The reduced vehicle count is multiplied by the 

persons-per-vehicle multiplier of 3.2. WHSA continues to see trends in increased visitation, although the rate of growth is slowing. 

Figure 3 
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 12

Figure 4 
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 13

2012 Visitor Study

The visitor study was a survey of 226 randomly selected monument visitors, conducted July 17-23, 2012, and did not include questions regarding 

vehicular access, parking, or congestion. A little more than 40% of visitor groups obtained trip planning information from the monument

website. Eleven percent of visitor groups were residents of Alamogordo, Tularosa, and Las Cruces. The survey identified about sixty percent of 

the visitors had arrived in private cars. About three-quarters of all monument visitors parked and went into the visitor center, and drove on 

Dunes Drive. The average length of stay was 3.3 hours. Currently, anecdotal observations from staff estimates that visitors stay in the visitor 

center area approximately 30 minutes. Of about 120 written comments from visitors, one comment related to congestion recommending the 

addition of a monument entrance drive. 

2016 Foundation Document

In the Visitor Experience and Opportunities section, existing congestion is identified as a result of inadequate parking area, and recommends 

developing a plan to improve the front entrance configuration including the parking area, road access, visitor services, comfort station, and 

entrance road intersection with US 70. In the Identification of Key Issues and Associated Planning and Data Needs section, congestion is a key 

issue because the entrance road intersection with US 70 was designed in the 1930s, and does not adequately accommodate contemporary 

vehicle types or the current volume of traffic entering the Park. Inadequate parking area is defined as a “...continuing concern with regards to 

safety and traffic flow.”

New Mexico Department of Transportation Road Safety Audit for US Route 70 (MP 200) – May 2014

The report was conducted in response to severe congestion complications along US 70 in each direction from the WHSA entrance road. The 

existing highway geometry, crash data, and peak hour traffic counts were used to identify existing conditions requiring changes to mitigate or 

eliminate current highway congestion at the monument entrance. The ten year crash history was analyzed for the report, and there were 19 

crashes recorded with one fatality, four with injuries, and ten with property damage only. There was also another crash fatality documented in 

2012. Recommended changes to US 70 include:

1. Add median treatment with clear designation of the travel and turn lanes.

2. Relocate the monument entrance drive either 850 feet or 1,200 feet east into a tangent alignment of the state highway.

3. Add signage and improved pavement markings at the monument entrance drive intersection.

4. Add a traffic signal at the monument entrance drive intersection.

Recommendations one, three, and four are currently be implemented by NM DOT.
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 14

Potential Legislative Boundary Expansion

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced legislation during the 115th Congress to re-establish the White Sands National Monument as White 

Sands National Park in the State of New Mexico; however, the bill was not enacted. In addition to park designation, the bill would have also

finalized a land exchange with the Department of the Army in which the Army would convey 8,592 acres to the National Park Service that may 

be used for additional recreation opportunities among others. Congress may introduce a new bill in the next legislative session. If additional land 

is acquired, the Monument should consider if new developments and/or activities would improve or exacerbate current congestion conditions. 

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms

The Monument received funding through the Line Item Construction Program for PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct 

Visitor Center Restrooms. Design for this project will begin in 2020 with construction in 2023. This project will resolve problems with egress, 

accessibility, and the electrical system at the 1936 Works Progress Administration (WPA) Spanish Pueblo-Revival style visitor center listed on the 

National Register of Historic Places. The project also includes constructing a new accessible restroom located adjacent to the visitor center. The 

Monument needs this built as soon as possible so is exploring using FLREA funds to construct the facility. During construction, the visitor center 

parking lot will be used for staging and short-term office space. Temporary visitor parking will be north of, and outside the historic district to 

provide parking during project construction. 

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking

Funding to construct a new temporary oversized vehicle parking lot adjacent to the visitor center and gift shop area has been secured through 

the park’s recreation fee revenue. This lot will be the main parking area during the nine-month renovation project referenced above because the 

Monument has no other visitor parking areas in the historic district. Because there are severe current parking supply shortages, this temporary 

parking lot design should also consider the long term parking needs that includes long vehicle parking. Attached are some proposed parking lot 

designs to consider.

Parking Lot Demand Analysis 

The Monument provided traffic counter data from 2008 through 2018 indicating the number of vehicles entering the monument daily. The 

above referenced NM DOT Road Safety Audit also included Monument ingress and egress traffic data collection. That data was used to 

understand daily traffic flow patterns. Those patterns were then applied to average daily traffic data from March and June of 2018. From the 

2012 Visitor Survey, the Monument believes visitors spend about 30 minutes in the visitor center area before proceeding on to the dunes. 

Therefore, the visitor center parking turnover rate is two cars per space per hour. The congestion assessment team used this information to 

complete a parking lot demand analysis for the design of the parking lot during the upcoming Line Item Construction Project. Figure 5 displays 

the results, and the details are in the attachments. These numbers should be thought of as a range +/- 30% due to inconsistent data collection 

times and some assumptions. The Monument should consider updating the data used in this analysis to refine the parking demand.
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 15

Figure 5 

Due to traffic counter limitations, it is unknown how many large vehicle parking spaces are needed. The Monument is considering upgrading 

their traffic counters to provide vehicle classification information.
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 16

Recommendations for Congestion Management

NPS’ Congestion Management Toolkit (www.nps.gov/transportation/pdfs/NPS-CMS_Toolkit.pdf ) offers over 50 congestion mitigation tools 

specifically selected for NPS congestion conditions and concerns. Some tools are well-known (building parking, adding transit), other very 

effective tools are not as well known (managing circulation, posting traffic information on social media, special events management, etc.). This 

chart is designed to assist the monument to understand what tools would be effective based on the problems identified during the congestion 

assessment process. It also includes information important to help the monument understand key issues related to implementation of each 

tool. Below the chart is a reference table that provides details regarding cost and timeframes for implementing congestion tools. As 

recommendations from the congestion assessment, traffic safety study, and transportation and visitor distribution vision plan are implemented, 

the monument should think of transportation as an integrated system and the ripple effects actions will have across the system. Key contacts for 

additional information, potential funding resources technical support, and next steps are: 

IMR Federal Lands Transportation Program Coordinator: Sena Wiley

Park Point of Contact for Project Implementation: Marie Sauter, Superintendent 
CONGESTION MANAGEMENT TOOL (from NPS 

Congestion Management Toolkit)

WHAT SPECIFIC PARK PROBLEMS 

WOULD THIS TOOL ADDRESS?

COST/ 

TIMEFRAME

IMPLEMENTATION 

CONSIDERATIONS

IMPLEMENTATION

NEXT STEPS

PREPAYMENT OF ENTRANCE FEES AND TRANSIT FEES

Prepayment of entrance fees and transit fees allows 

visitors to pay for entrance or transit fees prior to 

entering the park. Usually Prepayment is done online 

or at an automated fee machine (kiosk for self-paying 

fees) in the gateway community.

visitor experience

park operations

Cost: $0-$50,000

Timeframe: Near 

Term

PMIS needed? No

EA/EIS needed? No

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

Other: coordinate with 

Regional Transportation 

Coordinator and Regional 

Fee Manager

This tool may be beneficial for special events when there are long lines at the 

entrance station. 

Prepayment of entrance fees should be advertised at the monument visitor

center, in the gateway communities, and on the Monument website and 

social media outlets.

Currently, there are two options available to parks: Your Pass Now or Pay.gov

Several parks use Your Pass Now including Grand Canyon, Glacier, and 

Yellowstone National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park uses Pay.Gov: Fees & Passes

SIGNAGE AND WAYFINDING 

Signage and wayfinding techniques guide visitors to 

their destinations and are particularly helpful in an 

unfamiliar environment.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

Cost: $0-$100,000

Timeframe: 

Immediate to 

Near Term

PMIS needed? Yes

EA/EIS needed? No 

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

Consider removing confusing signage at entrance.

Use temporary sandwich boards during high visitation periods to direct 

visitors. 

Use signage to direct large vehicles to administrative area parking; consider 

pedestrian crossing back to VC complex.

511 TRAVELER INFORMATION NUMBER 

511 is the Traveler Information Phone Number. 511 

systems provide local traveler information such as 

traffic congestion, maintenance, construction, tourism, 

road conditions, and public transportation.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

Cost: $0-$50,000

Timeframe: 

Immediate to 

Near Term

PMIS needed? No

EA/EIS needed? No

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

New Mexico’s 511 service is connected to NMROADS.COM.

Currently there is a permanent alert on the service regarding the White Sands 

Missile Range military tests closures on US 70 but Monument closures are not 

included. The Monument should determine if information regarding the 

monument closures could be added.

DYNAMIC/VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGN

Dynamic/Variable message signs (both portable and 

permanent) are used to provide en-route information 

and alerts to visitors.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

Cost: $0-$50,000

Timeframe: 

Immediate to 

Near Term

PMIS needed? No

EA/EIS needed? No

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

The Monument could use a variable message sign (VMS) during military test

closures and other special events to provide visitor information regarding 

prepayment of entrance fees. 

There are two, existing, permanent VMSs providing information about road 

closures coming out of Las Cruses and Alamogordo. The Monument should

determine if monument information could be added to the existing VMSs. 

TRAVELER INFORMATION

Utilize existing local hospitality services (e.g., website, 

hotels, and gateway communities) to provide 

information about congestion management for visitors 

and local residents.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

Cost: $0-$50,000

Timeframe: 

Immediate

PMIS needed? No

EA/EIS needed? No

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

Provide information regarding military test closures, special events, parking, 

prepayment of entrance fees at chamber of commerce, other visitor centers, 

local hotels in Las Cruces and Alamogordo, and at regional RV parks. 

Add talking points at particular times of year to social media and website 

alerts. 
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 18

MEDIA/SOCIAL MEDIA/MOBILE DEVICE APPS 

With smart phones rising in popularity, the use of 

social media (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, 

Tumblr, Instagram, blogs, and other programs) and 

mobile device apps have also become acceptable low 

cost ways to provide information.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

Cost: $0 -

$500,000

Timeframe: 

Immediate to 

Near Term

PMIS needed? No

EA/EIS needed? No

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

The Monument is currently using Facebook to warn visitors of military 

requested closures and high visitation periods. The Monument has a Twitter 

account but is not actively using it. The Monument could link their social 

media accounts using a social media management platform, such as 

HootSuite, to link their accounts for posts to appear on both platforms at 

once. Posts can also be scheduled in advance to be posted at times 

coordinated with special events. Consider using geofencing technology.

PARTNERSHIPS, COLLABORATION, PUBLIC 

INVOLVEMENT, AND OUTREACH 

There are many potential partners that parks/units 

can engage/outreach to in helping to solve 

transportation congestion problems. Includes NPS 

Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

Cost: $50,000 -

$500,000

Timeframe: 

Immediate to 

Near Term

PMIS needed? Maybe

EA/EIS needed? Maybe

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

Other: contact Regional 

Transportation 

Coordinator and Regional 

Fee Manager for more 

information

The Monument is currently partnering with NMDOT, White Sands Missile 

Range, NM State Police, Otero County Sherriff Department, and US Border 

Patrol to improve safety in, and around the Monument. These relationships 

are very important to the Monument and will continue. Other 

recommendations specifically discuss partnering with these other agencies. 

Consider partnering with organizations such as Good Sam.

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT / SPECIAL EVENT 

MANAGMENT

Traffic incident management is about developing and 

implementing an incident management plan (this can 

also be used for special event management). This 

solution does not directly involve tangible hardware or 

infrastructure improvements, but is highly regarded 

method to integrate multiple operational tools that 

may involve Law Enforcement responsibilities. 

visitor experience

safety

park operations

Cost: $50,000 -

$500,000

Timeframe: Near 

Term to Longer 

Term

PMIS needed? No

EA/EIS needed? No

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

During special events or large permitted events, the Monument develops an 

action plan with an incident commander. The Monument should continue this 

practice and consider implementing it during other high congestion periods

(ex: Easter, special events and full moon nights.) 

PARKING MANAGEMENT AND PARKING AREA 

IMPROVEMENTS 

Parking management is where visitors are informed 

that a parking lot is full in real time, either by person 

or via sign, and that they need to park elsewhere. 

Parking area improvements may include modifying the 

lot to decrease traffic conflicts and limiting the 

number of access points (entrances and exits).

visitor experience

safety

park operations

Cost: $50,000 -

$500,000

Timeframe: Near 

Term

PMIS needed? Yes

EA/EIS needed? Maybe

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

The Monument should consider restriping the south parking lot. The 

Monument has considered multiple striping plans in the past but decided to 

keep the current configuration.

If a new parking lot is developed for large vehicles, the Monument should 

consider eliminating large vehicle parking from the south parking lot.

There is a Federal Highways RIP pavement preservation treatment scheduled 

for the Monument in 2024, and this would be an opportunity to restripe the 

existing parking lots.

ENFORCEMENT/TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Specifying the road shoulder as a no-parking area 

through clear signing, striping, and/or additional 

enforcement will improve traffic flow and safety of the 

roadway.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

Cost: $100,000 –

Over $500,000

Timeframe: Near 

Term

PMIS needed? Maybe

EA/EIS needed? Maybe

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

The entrance station kiosk area needs to be restriped to keep visitors moving. 

There are two kiosks, and visitors are confused as which one to approach, 

therefore cars stop at the intersection to determine next moves.
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 19

SPEED MANAGEMENT

Speed management has three variations (1) increase 

compliance of existing posted speed limits, (2) reduce 

the maximum posted speed limit, and (3) implement a 

variable speed limit. 

safety Cost: $50,000 -

$500,000

Timeframe: 

Immediate to 

Near Term

PMIS needed? Maybe

EA/EIS needed? Maybe

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

Speeding on the entrance road as visitors leave the monument is a safety 

issue. The Monument has placed rumble strips, speed humps, and speed 

radar to reduce speeds located in the paved section of Dunes Drive. The 

speed radar trailer is mobile and able to be relocated as needed. 

NMDOT has already added signs, blinking lights, speed radar signs on US 70.

TRAFFIC MONITORING/DATA COLLECTION AND 

ANALYSIS 

Data can be used to help a park/unit better 

understand their existing conditions and issues, and 

more precisely determine when, where and why 

congestion occurs.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

park facilities

Cost: $0 -

$500,000

Timeframe: Near 

Term

PMIS needed? Maybe

EA/EIS needed? Maybe

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

To further understand parking lot demand, the number of large vehicles

trying to monument should be determined with appropriate traffic counters 

placed at the south parking lot entrance. These counters would complement 

the existing traffic counters at the entrance and help determine vehicle 

classification system.

EXPAND PARKING SUPPLY 

Overflow parking on roadway shoulders and in “no 

parking” areas can be a source of congestion. In some 

cases, parking management and/or promoting the use 

of park and ride facilities can lessen this impact, but in 

others, the best option may be to increase parking 

supply.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

park facilities

Cost: $100,000 –

Over $500,000

Timeframe: 

Longer Term

PMIS needed? Yes 

EA/EIS needed? Yes 

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Only if additional 

parking is unpaved

The Monument has an upcoming project to build a temporary parking area 

the Monument should consider for long term parking needs. 

VEHICLE USE RESTRICTIONS 

Prohibiting or restricting certain vehicles (or certain 

sized vehicles) from areas in a park/unit can help 

improve traffic flow (reduce congestion), enhance 

visitor experience, and protect resources.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

Cost: $50,000 -

$100,000

Timeframe: Near 

Term

PMIS needed? No

EA/EIS needed? Maybe

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Yes

The Monument should consider prohibiting large vehicles in the south parking 

area after the new parking area has been constructed. 

Large vehicles are restricted in the north parking lot, but the signage is 

difficult to see and therefore large vehicles park there. The Monument should 

consider new, larger signage and more highly visible sign locations.

Occasionally bicyclists will park their vehicles in the historic district, and bike 

into the Monument. Large vehicles often unload their trailers in the historic 

district parking areas and drive into the monument. Both of these uses 

consume parking spots for many hours. As an alternative, these visitors could 

drive and park in the dunes area. With signage and visitor outreach, bicyclists

and tractor trailer visitors could be discouraged from parking in the historic 

district.
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 20

EXPAND OR IMPROVE BICYCLE/ PEDESTRIAN 

FACILITIES 

Pedestrian and bicycle facilities allow visitors to travel 

to destinations by an alternate mode. Facilities could 

include widened road shoulders, a separated multiuse/non-motorized paved pathway, and unpaved 

trails and bike racks

visitor experience

safety

park operations

park facilities

Cost: $100,000 –

Over $500,000

Timeframe: 

Longer Term(6+ 

Years)

PMIS needed? Yes 

EA/EIS needed? Yes 

Suitable for a pilot 

project? No 

When vehicles park in the administrative area, there are no defined 

pedestrian crossings to access the visitor center complex across the entrance 

road. The Monument could develop temporary crosswalk signage to be 

placed when the administrative area is used for overflow parking.

ADD ENTRANCE LANES/ STATIONS/BOOTHS

Adding entrance lanes/stations /booths would 

increase visitor throughput and decrease congestion 

and delay time.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

park facilities

Cost: $50,000 -

$500,000

Timeframe: Near 

Term

PMIS needed? Yes

EA/EIS needed? Yes

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Maybe

In the early 2000s, the entrance station was reconfigured to move it further 

away from historic district and add two traffic lanes. 

There is an unused iron ranger at the entrance station. The Monument should 

consider using it again.

During special events and holidays, the Monument will open the middle lane 

to pre-purchased passes, or those re-entering with a register slip. The 

Monument should consider doing this more frequently if the Monument

implements prepayment of entrance fees.

INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS (GEOMETRIC/ TRAFFIC 

CONTROL DEVICES) 

Intersection improvements include two-way or yield 

control, multi-way stop control, 

roundabout, and signalization.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

park facilities

natural resources

cultural resources

Cost: $100,000 –

Over $500,000

Timeframe: Near 

Term to Longer 

Term

PMIS needed? Yes

EA/EIS needed? No

Suitable for a pilot 

project? No

Just beyond the entrance station kiosk there is a gate the monument closes

during military test closures. When the gate is closed, there isn’t enough 

space for a vehicle to safely turn around. The Monument should consider 

moving the gate to a more appropriate location to provide adequate turn 

around space.

INCREASE ROAD CAPACITY 

Increasing roadway capacity can reduce congestion by 

increasing throughput, the space for vehicles, and by 

allowing space for vehicles to pass slow moving or 

turning vehicles. However, this tool should not be 

utilized purely for congestion management; it should 

be considered when the improvement also improves 

safety.

visitor experience

safety

park operations

park facilities

natural resources

cultural resources

Cost: Over 

$500,000

Timeframe: 

Longer Term (6+ 

Years)

PMIS needed? Yes

EA/EIS needed? Maybe

Suitable for a pilot 

project? No

The configuration of the historic district does not support current visitor use 

patterns. The distance from the monument entrance to the turn into the 

south parking lot does not allow enough space for stacking vehicles when the

lot is congested. 

Monument staff believe a new entrance to the Monument should be 

developed to the east along US 70.

ACCELERATION/DECELERATION LANES

Acceleration/deceleration traffic lanes, also known as 

“climbing” or “passing” lanes allow faster moving 

vehicles to use a separate lane to pass slower vehicles. 

visitor experience

safety

park operations

park facilities

natural resources

cultural resources 

Cost: $50,000 -

$500,000

Timeframe: Near 

Term

PMIS needed? Yes

EA/EIS needed? Maybe

Suitable for a pilot 

project? Maybe

NMDOT has a project in 2019 to improve acceleration/deceleration lanes on 

US 70 to improve safety due to congestion backups from the Monument. 
Next Steps

Within 60 days of the final report, the Congestion Assessment team will meet with the monument point of contact and region to discuss how to 

implement the monument’s high and medium priority congestion mitigation recommendations. 

Monument support for development of PMIS statements, field support and testing, potential funding resources, data collection/analysis and 

other implementation activities is available from your regional transportation program coordinator. Technical assistance is available from NPS’ 

Denver Service Center Transportation, FHWA’s Federal Lands Highway Division, the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, and/or 

private sector consultants. 

Attachments:

Congestion Assessment Process and Participants 

1960s Road and Parking Lot Designs 

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms 

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs 

Parking Lot Demand Analysis 
Congestion Assessment: WHSA 22

Congestion Assessment Process and Participants

The Congestion Assessment for MEVE was conducted in 2018, Erica Cole (IMR), Mark Holdeman (FHWA), and Laura Babcock (DSC) serving as the 

Congestion Assessment technical team and report authors. The Assessment included three conference calls/webinars with key members of the 

monument staff to briefly identify congestion problems, locations, severity of impacts, and potential solutions. 

• Call #1 (06/18/18) Attendees: Marie Sauter, Superintendent; Aaron Summerlin, Chief Ranger; Laura Neilson, Facility Manager; Kelly

Caroll, Chief of Interpretation; Daniel Crabb, Ranger; David Bustos, Law Enforcement Ranger; Robin Milne, Interpretive Ranger; Erica

Cole, IMR Transportation Planner; Mark Holdeman, DSC Landscape Architect; Laura Babcock, DSC GIS Specialist

• Call #2 (07/24/18) Attendees: Marie Sauter, Superintendent; Aaron Summerlin, Chief Ranger; Laura Neilson, Facility Manager; Kelly

Caroll, Chief of Interpretation; Daniel Crabb, Ranger; David Bustos, Law Enforcement Ranger; Robin Milne, Interpretive Ranger; Erica

Cole, IMR Transportation Planner; Mark Holdeman, DSC Landscape Architect; Laura Babcock, DSC GIS Specialist

Call #3 – (09/06/18) Attendees: Marie Sauter, Superintendent; Aaron Summerlin, Chief Ranger; Laura Neilson, Facility Manager; Kelly 

Caroll, Chief of Interpretation; David Bustos, Law Enforcement Ranger; Robin Milne, Interpretive Ranger; Kim Hyatt, Historical 

Architect/Project Manager; Erica Cole, IMR Transportation Planner; Mark Holdeman, DSC Landscape Architect; Daniel Crabb, Ranger; 
1960s Road and Parking Lot Designs
1960s Road and Parking Lot Designs
1960s Road and Parking Lot Designs
1960s Road and Parking Lot Designs
1960s Road and Parking Lot Designs
1960s Road and Parking Lot Designs
1960s Road and Parking Lot Designs
1960s Road and Parking Lot Designs
Project Identification - PMIS 223557

Project Title: Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and 

Consturct Visitor Center Restroom

Project Total Cost: $2,664,589.22

Park/Unit: White Sands National Monument Region: Intermountain 

States: NM Congressional District: NM02

Related Parent FMSS Work Order Number: 16301099 Reference Number: LIC FY23 

Project Type: Facility , Historic , Imported from PST Financial System Package Number: WHSA 223557 

Contact Person: Laura Neilson Contact Phone: 575-479-6124 x240

Project Status - PMIS 223557

Date Imported: 06/24/15 Review Status: WASO-Reviewed on 03/09/2016 

Date of Last Update: 11/13/17 Updated By: Katherine P. Lunsford 

Project Narratives - PMIS 223557

Description

This project will resolve problems with egress, accessibility, and the electrical system at the 1936 Works Progress 

Administration (WPA) Spanish Pueblo-Revival style visitor center, an 8,600 square foot (SF) adobe building listed on 

the National Register of Historic Places. Accessible egress hardware will be installed throughout the building, 

motorized operators will be installed at 5 pairs of exterior entrance doors, a new egress door will be added and an 

existing egress door will be widened. With the exception of the main electric service, meters, and some existing light 

fixtures, the entire electrical system will be removed and replaced, including replacing and consolidating the service 

equipment, panels, and subpanels; re-circuiting; and rewiring the entire building to provide adequate power 

distribution to meet present and future needs. Historic light fixtures and track lighting will be refurbished and reused 

in their existing locations. All other light fixtures will be replaced, using fixtures in keeping with the historic character 

of the building. Existing data/communications wiring (IT) and equipment will be removed and replaced to meet 

security requirements. New exit and emergency egress lighting will be provided, as well as a new security, fire 

detection and alarm system. The monument will evaluate adding a project to install a sprinkler system to enhance 

fire protection in the next 5 year plan. All wiring will be concealed in the adobe walls or the ceilings. 

Temporary visitor parking will be created north of the visitor center complex to offset lost parking during project. 

This project will construct a new accessible visitor center restroom. This includes wood frame construction of a 1,000 

square foot structure providing 11 toilets, sinks, 3 urinals, and building systems. A fire protection system will be 

included, consisting of smoke and heat detection alarms and sprinklers. The new restroom will be located adjacent to 

the visitor center. 

Justifications

The Visitor Center is the first stop for most park visitors and experiences over 497,506 (2015) visitors annually. The 

VC is a multipurpose facility providing offices for eight park employees, two Western National Parks Association 

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
employees, and six volunteers. In addition, the VC houses the museum, bookstore and theatre and the monument 

concessionaire is located in the complex, with gift shop, limited food service and warehouse. 

The building does not conform to egress, accessibility, and electrical system requirements of the International 

Building Code, the Life Safety Code (NPFA 101), the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS), 

and the National Electric Code (NEC), nor to NPS sustainability and data/communications security requirements. 

The building is not accessible to persons with disabilities. The two main visitor center doors lack code-compliant 

hardware. There is not a code-compliant means of egress from a storage area and there is no functional exit or 

emergency egress lighting in the building. 

The electrical system, wiring and equipment, has been supplemented with more modern wiring and equipment 

installed in a piecemeal fashion over the years. The electrical system is poorly constructed, illogical, complex, 

disjointed, and inadequately integrated into the historic fabric of the building. Problems include safety issues and 

excessive maintenance due to shorting and failure original wiring and devices; overloaded circuits resulting in 

frequently tripped breakers; insufficient grounding and ground fault circuit interruption protection; power, lighting, and 

data/communications systems that do not meet current needs, energy efficiency or security requirements, and poor 

controls. 

The building does not have a security system, or fire detection and notification system. The installation of a security 

system will provide protection of the building, historic contents, visitors and employees. 

Unless the work of this project is completed, the building will continue to have code, life safety, and accessibility 

deficiencies, and functional/safety problems with the electrical system that will continue to impact visitors and other 

building users, maintenance staff, and building operations. Deferred maintenance of the building will continue to 

grow, threatening the integrity of the historic fabric. See attached report, WHSA Electrical Trip Report 11-20-15 

revision.pdf. 

A new comfort station is needed to provide for adequate facilities for the over 500000 annual visitors. The visitor 

center restrooms are the only publicly available flush toilets and running water available in the monument. The 

restrooms will meet be accessibility requirements to visitors with disabilities under Architectural Barriers Act 

Accessibility Standards (ABAAS). Currently, the restroom facility available at the visitor center is too small to meet 

modern demands and is not ABAAS compliant. Expanding the restroom facilities within the existing building or 

building an addition are both impractical due to space restrictions and the need to preserve its historic fabric. 

The restroom facility is also justified and needed to accommodate large numbers of visitors during special events 

and missile tests. A line of 10-30 people forms outside of the restrooms during these frequent events. During missile 

tests, White Sands Missile Range closes US Highway 70 and the visitors are required to stop at the visitor center 

while they wait for both the highway and the rest of the park to re-open. In addition, non-park travelers frequent the 

restrooms as they cross US 70. This concentration of visitors results in the restrooms being overwhelmed, causing 

substantial lines to form outside of the restrooms. Visitor satisfaction with the current restrooms is not acceptable, as 

measured by annual surveys. Out of all the park facilities and visitor services, the current restrooms receive the most 

complaints from visitors. In 2010, visitor satisfaction with the restrooms was rated at 63%, and in 2015, remains at 

63% falling short of park GPRA goals. 

"Reduce the footprint" requirement: With the addition of the new restroom facility, the net increase of square footage 

of the monument will be 1,000 square feet. The existing restroom will be repurposed into a visitor contact area and 

will not be demolished. The existing restroom is a contributing feature to the Historic District and the Visitor Center 

complex which is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. 

This sustainable project would decrease annual utility costs through installation of efficient building systems and 

reduce annual water consumption with the installation of water conserving fixtures. 

Measurable Results

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
This project would reduce the deferred maintenance of the visitor center complex building, and would bring the 

structure into compliance with building code, life safety, egress, accessibility, sustainability and security 

requirements, to meet the present and future needs for the safe use and operation of the building as required in the 

International Building Code, the Life Safety Code (NPFA 101), the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards 

(ABAAS), and the National Electric Code (NEC). 

This project would bring the visitor center complex in to compliance with NPS sustainability and 

data/communications security requirements. 

This project will result in the construction of new visitor center men’s and women’s restrooms. The Monument would 

provide appropriately sized, fully accessible modern restrooms to the public (meeting the Architectural Barriers Act 

Accessibility Standards), and improve the visitor experience. 

This project will improve visitor satisfaction and the monument would no longer be adversely affected by the 

restroom facilities. The monument expects visitor satisfaction score for restrooms to improve to 75%. 

Energy efficiency would produce an annual savings of approximately $1,000.00. Low flush toilets would save a 

minimum of 2 gallons per flush. With an annual average of 497,506 visitors a water conservation savings of 

approximately 500,000 gallons would be achieved annually. 

For the first time in history the Monument would be able to provide the only fully accessible restrooms with running 

water available to the public. 

DOI Attachment G Justifications - PMIS 223557

Scope of Benefits

1.Freeze the Footprint – the footprint of the complex will be increased by 1,000 sq. ft. with the construction of an 

accessible (ADA compliant) restroom. 

2.Climate Change –VC upgrades will facilitate a better visitor experience with exhibits and interpretive programs on 

climate change effects specifically temperature and precipitation shifts beyond the historical range of variability. 

3.Accessibility – the project will construct accessible restrooms & correct Visitor Center accessibility issues to comply 

with ABAAS standards. 

4.Deferred Maintenance – The project will cure $293,000 in deferred maintenance. 

5.Health and Safety – A fire detection, alarm system and egress lighting will be installed. 

6.Dark Night Sky, Natural Sound, etc. – Building exterior lighting will comply with NM dark night skies. 

7.Sustainability- Sustainable construction techniques will minimize maintenance requirements and maximize life of 

building components. In the new restrooms, low water consumption toilets, waterless urinals, high efficiency hand 

dryers and sky lights will be installed. 

8.Benefit to Visitor(s) and Direct Visitor Connection(s). This project improves the sole visitor center facility at the park 

that experiences over 497,506 annual visits. The health/life/safety factors will be greatly improved and the visitors will 

have a safer experience. Visitors will enjoy a new adequate and compliant restroom facility with the only running 

water in the monument. 

Investment Strategy

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
1.Change in Operations and Maintenance - Total Cost of Facility Ownership will be reduced by: decreased 

maintenance costs realized through sustainable construction, component renewal, energy savings, and reduction in 

water consumption. 

2.Square Footage Reduction – is planned to increase by 1,000 sq. ft. however the cost to maintain the facility will 

decrease. 

3.Efficiencies within Operations – operational costs are expected to decrease as a result of savings realized through 

energy efficiencies and reduction in water usage. FTE dedicated to the facility will remain unchanged. 

4.Leveraging a Larger Project – Contract savings will be realized by combining the building improvements with the 

addition of the restroom facility. 

5.High Priority Assets – the Visitor Center complex is in optimizer band 1 thus is among the highest priority assets of 

the park. The (1936 constructed) visitor center building and complex are major contributing features on the National 

Register of Historic Places. The complex is one of the best examples of WPA construction in the Tularosa Basin. 

6.Partnering or Partnership(s) - The visitor center complex houses the Western National Parks Association 

employees, association bookstore, and concessions facilities. 

7.Cite Previous NPS Investments – Repair Interpretive Exhibits (PMIS 211047, 146174), Replace VC HVAC System 

(PMIS 162146), New Park Film (154964), Historic District Repairs/Restorations/Improvements (PMIS 54906) 

Consequence of Failure to Act

1. Electrical system will continue to violate IBC code and present safety issues to employees who must service these 

lines and visitors due to poor egress in case of fire. 

2. Impacts to Resources – The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The fire detection system will 

serve to protect the facility and the correcting the deferred maintenance issues with preserve the historic structure. 

3. Code Compliance – Once the project is complete the building will conform to egress, accessibility, and electrical 

system requirements of the International Building Code, the Life Safety Code (NPFA 101), the Architectural Barriers 

Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS), and the National Electric Code (NEC). 

4. Convey a Message of Balancing Risk – The project will significantly reduce the risk of fire due to the antiquated 

electrical system and egress risk in the event of a fire. 

5. System Failure if Current Investment is not Complete – Critical improvement will be completed that will correct 

degradation issues of the historic structure. Electric systems issues are considered critical and correction will prevent 

electrical system failures and potential fire hazard. 

Categories of Facilities Maintenance and Construction Needs - PMIS 223557

Capital Improvement Strategy Score: 742 Project Total DOI Score: 74.20 

CIS Element Weighted 

Score Percentage Final Score

Financial 

Sustainability 829 50% 415 

Visitor Use 805 30% 242 

Resource 488 15% 73 

Final Score

FCI/API 39.96

Scope of Benefits 16.04

Investment Strategy 17.45

Consequences of Failure to Act 0.75

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
Protection 

Health and 

Safety 233 5% 12 

Capital Asset Accounting Determination Results Summary - PMIS 223557

Facility 

(FMSS 

Location) 

Historic 

Status

LCS Legal 

Interest

Location 

Status

Asset Code /

Facility Type

Work 

Type /

Sub 

Work 

Type

Estimated 

Project 

Cost 

Distribution

Project 

Type

[109449] VC 

Concessions 

Gift Shop

5 - Not 

Evaluated

Owned OPERATING 4100 -

Building4129 - 

Other 

Institutional 

Uses

CI / 

LMFS 

(7.8%) 

FM / 

CRDM 

(63.3%) 

FM / 

DM 

(1.2%) 

FM / 

LMCO 

(5.2%) 

FM / 

RMDM 

(22.5%) 

$258,000.55 

(9.7%)

A -

Capitalized 

Asset

[113829] 

Historic 

Grounds

5 - Not 

Evaluated

Owned OPERATING 3100 -

Maintained 

Landscape3110 

- Maintained 

Landscapes

FM / 

LMAC 

(100%)

$13,369.76 

(0.5%)

X - NonCapitalized 

Asset

[236663] New 

VC Restroom 

Building NonHistoric

5 - Not 

Evaluated

Owned PLANNED 4100 -

Building4124 - 

Comfort Station

CI / EP 

(9.8%) 

CI / 

LMAC 

(16.2%) 

CI / NC 

(74.0%) 

$787,291.32 

(29.5%)

A -

Capitalized 

Asset

[24691] 

Visitors 

Center 

Building #20 -

Historic

2 -

National 

Register 

Listed

22642 Owned OPERATING 4100 -

Building4129 - 

Other 

Institutional 

Uses

CI / AL 

(1.0%) 

CI / 

LMAC 

(12.8%) 

CI / 

LMCO 

(0.8%) 

FM / 

CRDM 

(12.5%) 

FM / 

DM 

(31.3%) 

$1,569,596.47 

(58.9%)

H -

Heritage 

Asset

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
FM / 

LMCO 

(31.0%) 

FM / 

LMFS 

(0.5%) 

FM / 

LMLS 

(6.9%) 

FM / 

RMDM 

(3.2%) 

[36063] VC 

Restroom 

Building # 21 

- Historic

2 -

National 

Register 

Listed

22643 Owned OPERATING 4100 -

Building4124 - 

Comfort Station

FM / 

DM 

(100%)

$36,331.12 

(1.4%)

H -

Heritage 

Asset

Project Activities, Assets, Emphasis Areas - PMIS 223557

Activities

• Capital Improvement 

• Construction 

• Compliance 

• Maintenance 

• Occupational Safety and Health 

• Preservation 

• Prevention 

• Protection 

• Rehabilitation 

• Removal 

• Structural Fire 

• Provide Visitor Services/Activities 

• Visitor Use Management 

Assets 

• Maintained Landscape 

• Building 

Emphasis Areas

• Accessibility Compliance

• Security Enhancement

• A Call to Action: Preserving America’s Special 

Places

• Deferred Maintenance

• Health and Safety

• Structural Fire Safety

• Sustainability

• Vanishing Treasures

Resources

• Fire Suppression System 

• Historic Structure 

• IT Application System 

Project Prioritization Information - PMIS 223557 

Unit Priority: 1 out of 64 IN FY 2018 

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
Project Assistance Needs - PMIS 223557 

Is Assistance Needed: Yes [From Region] Yes [From 

Service Center] 

Project Assistance Needed in the Following Areas:

• Architectural and Engineering Services

• Compliance

• Project Management/Coordination

• On-site Inspection /COTR

• Contracting

Related OFS Funding Requests- PMIS 223557 

Request ID: 10562 Request title: Improve Maintenance and Safety 

Capabilities 

Request ID: 26168 

Request title: Improve resource protection, stewardship 

and operations at White Sands NM in preparation for the 

next 25 years 

Request ID: 33039 Request title: Support Mission Critical Operations in 

Preparation for the Next 25 Years 

Project Funding Component - PMIS 223557A 

Funding Component Title: Upgrade Electrical 

Infrastructure And Build New VC Restroom Funding Component Request Amount: $2,664,589.22

Funding Component Reference Number ( Multipurpose ): 2023-20 Funding Component Type: Non-recurring 

Funding Component Description: This component represents work covered by child work orders of FMSS Parent 

WO 16301099 with target start dates in FY 2019. 

Image Link (NPGallery Digital Asset Management System):

Initial Planned FY: 2019 Requested Funding FY: 2023

Review Status: WASO-reviewed on 03/09/2016 

Date of Park Submission: 01/22/2016 Submitted By: Laura Neilson (Lneilson@Nps.Doi.Net)

Upper-level Review Status: Fee-demo Submission Number:

Formulated FY: 2023 Funded FY:

Formulated Amount: $2,665,000.00 Funded Amount:

Formulated Funding Source: Line Item Construction Funded Funding Source:

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
Formulated Program: 5 Year Plan Funded PWE Accounts:

Youth Participation Summary

Project activities related to engaging individuals 35 years or younger in resource stewardship through education, 

volunteer and employment opportunities.

Planned Total Number of Youth Volunteers Planned Total Number of Youth Employed Planned Total Number of Youth Engaged

0 0 0

Related PEPC Information

Related PEPC Project Number Compliance Status Expected Compliance Date

35705 Closed Complete 

61431 In Process 

62351 Proposed 

62831 Proposed 

62832 Proposed 

Component Cost Estimates

Labor Cost Type: Contract 

Estimated By: Imported From PST Date of Estimate: 01/01/2012 

Estimate in 2012 dollars Class of Estimate: C

Cost Center: WHSAM0 - WHSA MAINTENANCE 

Item Description Qty Unit Unit Cost Item Cost

Estimated Labor Cost Imported from PST 1 Lump $601,093.51 $601,093.51

Estimated Material Cost Imported from PST 1 Lump $806,323.21 $806,323.21

Estimated Equipment/Tool 

Cost Imported from PST 1 Lump $59,419.16 $59,419.16

Estimated Service Cost Imported from PST 1 Lump $0.00 $0.00

Component Net Cost $1,466,835.88

Escalation Adjustments

Item Description Item Cost

Escalation 4% per year $791,290.57

Net Cost Estimate (Escalated) $2,258,126.45

Grossing Adjustments

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
Item Description Item Cost

Compliance 

Max of 5% of Total Project 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($112,906.32) 

Updated as (0%) of Project Net Construction (Escalated) $0.00

Pre-design 

Max of 5% of Total Project 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($112,906.32) 

Updated as (0%) of Project Net Construction (Escalated) $0.00

Final Design 

Max of 10% of Total Project 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($225,812.65) 

Updated as (0%) of Project Net Construction (Escalated) $0.00

Supplemental Services 

Max of 2% of Total Project 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($45,162.53) 

Updated as (0%) of Project Net Construction (Escalated) $0.00

Project Management 

Max of 8% of Component 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($180,650.12) 

Updated as (8%) of Component Net Construction (Escalated) $180,650.12

Construction Contingency 

Max of 10% of Component 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($225,812.65) 

Updated as (10%) of Component Net Construction (Escalated) $225,812.65

Component Funding Request (Net Cost Estimate Escalated + Total Add-on Amount) $2,664,589.22

Eligible Funding Sources and Funding Priorities

Funding Category Priorities by Eligible Funding Sources

Line Item Construction 

Funding Source Unit Relative Priority Regional Priority National Priority

Regional Facility Project Support 1 of 1 

Line Item Construction 1 of 1 

LIC Demolition and Disposal 1 of 1 

Line Item Construction CBA Factors - PMIS 223557A [ Total Importance of Advantages: 1385 ] [ Advantage 

to Cost Ratio: 5.19779930657] 

API value [ 1 - 100 ]: 40

Current Average FCI value of all assets: 1 

Projected Average FCI value of all assets: 1 

Current Annual Operating Cost: 10000 

Projected Annual Operating Cost: 8000

Factor: Provide Safe Visits and Working Conditions 

[ Importance of Advantage score: 400]

The 8,600 square foot adobe construction Spanish Pueblo-revival style building serves as the only park 

visitor center. The multipurpose facility includes museum, cooperating association bookstore, theatre, the 

monument concessionaire and employees, and offices for eight park employees, up to 8 volunteers, two 

Western National Parks Association employees. The Works Progress Administration(WPA)building does 

not conform to egress and electrical system requirements of the International Building Code, Architectural 

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS), the Life Safety Code (NPFA 101), and the National 

Electric Code (NEC). The building does not meet NPS sustainability and data/communications security 

requirements. There is not a code-compliant means of egress from a storage area and there is no functional 

exit or emergency egress lighting in the building. The building does not have a security system, or fire 

detection and notification system. Several electrical system issues identified by J. Buller, Electrical 

Engineer, IMRO present a fire hazard along with the lack of a fire detection system further complicates the 

safety hazard (reference attached 11/20/2015 trip report). 

The existing historic restrooms were designed for about 50,000 annual visitors. The monument currently 

has about 497,506 or 10 times the number. A new restroom project has been recommended in various 

planning books for several decades. The monument has been able to secure portable restrooms from a 

neighboring agency which the staff opens on occasions when the historic restrooms are out of commissions 

and during peak visitation. These portable restrooms are not plumbed into the ground plumbing system and 

must be pumped every few days during heavy use. This is not the cost efficient long term solution. 

The project will correct the electrical and life safety code deficiencies. These corrections along with the 

installation of a fire detection system will improve the safety of the building and facilities. The entire park 

staff and the 497,506 annual Visitor Center visitors are affected. 

Factor: Protect Natural and Cultural Resources 

[ Importance of Advantage Score: 250 ]

This project focuses on a facility that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is surrounded 

by other historic structures on the List of Classified Structures (LCS). The complex is one of the best 

examples of Works Progress Administration (WPA) Spanish Pueblo-Revival style construction in the 

Tularosa Basin. The prominent natural resource is the white gypsum sand dunes, the largest in the world. 

In the Chihuahuan Desert within the Tularosa Basin the dunefield is home to endemic species and 

Pleistocene fauna trackways found in abundance. Within the dunefield have been discovered 2000-5000 

year old hearth mounds created by large roasting pits found nowhere else in the world. The landscape is 

spectacular and a photographers destination. 

The exhibits describing the new science and evolving understanding of the latest discoveries are located 

within the historic visitor center. The interpretive and educational programs provided within the VC 

educate the public regarding the protection of the natural resources and cultural resources throughout the 

monument. Interpretive programs include climate change and the influence of temperature and 

precipitation shifts on natural resources and the potential impact of change on the dunefield. The 

monument is a world class destination for National Park Service visitors. 

Without the correction of the fire hazard, the historic adobe building is in jeopardy. An electrical fire could 

occur at any time, and if a fire does occur the historical resource could be lost or severely damaged. The 

project would eliminate the threat of the electrical fire and the threat of electrocution. The security system 

would protect the historic artifacts stored in the facility. 

Building exterior lighting will be compliant with New Mexico dark night sky standards 

Factor: Improve Visitor Enjoyment Through Better Service and Educational and Recreational Opportunities 

[ Importance of Advantage Score: 260]

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
The VC building does not conform to accessibility standards of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility 

Standards (ABAAS). The building is not accessible to persons with disabilities. The two main visitor 

center doors lack code-compliant hardware. The 1936 era VC restroom built for about 50,000 annual 

visitors, is not accessible and too small to meet the demand of the annual park visitation of over 1⁄2 million 

resulting in lines up to 30 people long. Pressure on restroom facilities is the greatest during peak season, 

special events and during missile tests. Missile tests at the White Sands Missile Range are conducted by the 

U.S. Army and are a popular event for visitors. This is the only restroom facility at the monument 

providing flush toilets and running water for park visitors. 

The Visitor Center upgrades and improvements realized in this project will relieve congestion and improve 

visitor educational opportunities through interpretive programs and exhibits. 

A separate restroom facility is necessary due to space restrictions and preservation of the historic features 

of the Visitor Center. The new facility will correct all accessibility issues. The appropriately sized 

accessible restroom facility will meet the needs of the visitor. Visitation is rising and the entire park staff 

along with the 500,000+ annual visitors is affected. 

Factor: Improve The Efficiency, Reliability And Sustainability Of Park Operations 

[ Importance of Advantage Score: 450]

Total Cost of Facility Ownership will be reduced by decreased maintenance costs realized through 

sustainable construction and component renewal. Operational costs are expected to decrease as a result of 

savings realized through energy efficiencies, a new electrical system and reduction in water usage. FTE 

dedicated to the facility will remain unchanged. Sustainable construction techniques will minimize 

maintenance requirements and maximize life of building components. In the new restrooms, low water 

consumption toilets, waterless urinals, high efficiency hand dryers and sky lights will be installed. The 

project is expected to conserve 2,000 gallons of water annually. Staff time formally required to maintain 

the structures in emergency repairs will be restored to other priorities. The project will cure $293,000 in 

deferred maintenance. Financial savings will be redirected to other park mission needs. 

A new restroom project has been recommended for several decades. The monument has secured portable 

restrooms on loan from a neighboring federal agency which are used when the historic restrooms are out of 

commissions and during peak visitation. These portable restrooms are not adequate for large crowds, are 

not plumbed into the ground plumbing system and must be pumped every few days during heavy use. This 

is not the cost efficient long term solution. 

Factor: Provide Cost-effective, Environmentally Responsible, and otherwise Beneficial Development for the National 

Park System 

[ Importance of Advantage Score: 25]

This project supports a National Park Service goal to preserve historic assets and structures. A fine 

example of Works Progress Administration Spanish Pueblo-Revival architectural design and construction 

in the Tularosa Basin, the visitor center complex and adjacent historic structures will remain intact and 

better preserved for safety and historic significance, meeting the Secretary of Interior Standards for 

Historic Preservation. Visitors will continue to enjoy the experience of entering a functioning historic 

adobe building in an era when such historic structures difficult to maintain are often neglected and left to 

deteriorate. 

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
The project supports a cooperative effort with the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range which is 

documented under an interagency agreement in place since the mid-1970s. Under this agreement, the 

monument provides support for the missile range during tests and manages visitors as well as travelers on 

US Highway 70 who are stopped during missile launches and other tests. Many travelers and visitors spend 

that time in the visitor center complex during the road blocks and will thus be better served. 

Sustainable construction techniques provide illustration that the NPS is a leader in environmental friendly 

design. In addition, the new construction will be designed to blend into the historic district and has support 

from the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office through Section 106 consultation. 

The National Park Service would come into national code compliance. Upon completion, the buildings will 

conform to egress, accessibility, and electrical system requirements of the International Building Code, the 

Life Safety Code (NPFA 101), the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS), and the 

National Electric Code (NEC). 

Component Completion Report

Component Start Date: Component Completion Date:

Completion Report Date: Created By:

Change in Condition: Report Last Updated By:

As Built Drawing or Report Number: As Built Drawing or Report Title:

Location of Original As Built Drawing or Report: As Built Drawing or Report Author:

Superintendent Approval Date: Superintendent Certification:

Brief Quantified Description of Final Product/Outcome:

PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
PMIS 223557 Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure and Construct Visitor Center Restrooms
Project Identification - PMIS 250415

Project Title: Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle 

Parking

Project Total Cost: $130,737.04

Park/Unit: White Sands National Monument Region: Intermountain 

States: NM Congressional District: NM02

Related Parent FMSS Work Order Number: 20657533 Reference Number: 

Project Type: Facility , Non-historic , Imported from PST Financial System Package Number: WHSA 250415 

Contact Person: Laura Neislon Contact Phone: 575-479-6124 x240

Project Status - PMIS 250415

Date Imported: 01/19/18 Review Status: Region-Reviewed on 03/19/2018 

Date of Last Update: 03/01/18 Updated By: Marie Sauter 

Project Narratives - PMIS 250415

Description

Construct new temporary oversized vehicle parking lot adjacent to the visitor center and gift shop area. Parking lot 

will accommodate vehicles during 9 month renovation project of the visitor center and gift shop. Exiting parking lots 

will be used for construction vehicles, and temporary trailers housing the visitor center, gift shop and restrooms. 

Grade brush to create a 1 acre oversized temporary parking area which will hold up to 20 large RV units and 50 

passenger vehicles. 

Justifications

Temporary visitor parking will be created north of the visitor center complex to offset lost parking lot areas during 

project. Monument has no other parking areas which will accommodate visitor parking. 

Measurable Results

The temporary parking will give full park access and enjoyment to all visitors regardless of the size of vehicle. The 

current oversized parking will be utilized for temporary VC/Concession trailers as well as ADA accessible parking. In 

2017, the monument had over 600,000 visitors, about which 250,000 park at the visitor center complex. 

Categories of Facilities Maintenance and Construction Needs - PMIS 250415

Capital Improvement Strategy Score: 578 Project Total DOI Score: 57.80 

CIS Element Weighted 

Score Percentage Final Score

Financial 

Sustainability 705 50% 353 

Visitor Use 500 30% 150 

Resource 

Protection 500 15% 75 

Health and 

Safety 0 5% 0 

Final Score

FCI/API 32.00

Scope of Benefits 14.00

Investment Strategy 12.00

Consequences of Failure to Act 0

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs
Capital Asset Accounting Determination Results Summary - PMIS 250415

Facility 

(FMSS 

Location) 

Historic 

Status

LCS Legal 

Interest

Location 

Status

Asset Code /

Facility Type

Work 

Type /

Sub 

Work 

Type

Estimated 

Project 

Cost 

Distribution

Project 

Type

[113829] 

Historic 

Grounds

5 - Not 

Evaluated

Owned OPERATING 3100 -

Maintained 

Landscape3110 

- Maintained

Landscapes

FM / DM 

(100%)

$130,737.04 

(100.0%)

X - NonCapitalized 

Asset

Project Activities, Assets, Emphasis Areas - PMIS 250415

Activities

• Maintenance

Assets 

• Maintained Landscape

Emphasis Areas

• Deferred Maintenance

• Health and Safety

• Healthy Parks Healthy People

Resources

Project Prioritization Information - PMIS 250415 

Unit Priority: 2 out of 64 IN FY 2018

Project Assistance Needs - PMIS 250415 

Is Assistance Needed: Yes [From Region]

Project Assistance Needed in the Following Areas:

• Architectural and Engineering Services

• Project Management/Coordination

• Contracting

Related OFS Funding Requests- PMIS 250415 

Request ID: 10562 Request title: Improve Maintenance and Safety 

Capabilities 

Request ID: 33039 Request title: Support Mission Critical Operations in 

Preparation for the Next 25 Years 

Project Funding Component - PMIS 250415A 

Funding Component Title: Temporary Oversized 

Vehicle Parking Funding Component Request Amount: $130,737.04

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs
Funding Component Reference Number ( Multipurpose ): Funding Component Type: Non-recurring 

Funding Component Description: Grade brush to create a 1 acre oversized temporary parking area while the VC 

is being renovated. Start dates in FY 2019. 

Initial Planned FY: 2019 Requested Funding FY: 2019

Review Status: Region-reviewed on 03/19/2018 

Date of Park Submission: 01/19/2018 Submitted By:

Upper-level Review Status: Fee-demo Submission Number: CP 19 - 24 

Formulated FY: 2019 Funded FY:

Formulated Amount: $130,738.00 Funded Amount:

Formulated Funding Source: Recreation Fee Park 

Revenue Funded Funding Source:

Formulated Program: Fees Funded PWE Accounts:

Youth Participation Summary

Project activities related to engaging individuals 35 years or younger in resource stewardship through education, 

volunteer and employment opportunities.

Planned Total Number of Youth Volunteers Planned Total Number of Youth Employed Planned Total Number of Youth Engaged

0 0 0

Related PEPC Information

Related PEPC Project Number Compliance Status Expected Compliance Date

No Related PEPC Project Numbers Specified.

Component Cost Estimates

Labor Cost Type: Contract 

Estimated By: Imported From PST Date of Estimate: 01/01/2017 

Estimate in 2017 dollars Class of Estimate: C

Cost Center: WHSAM0 - WHSA MAINTENANCE 

Item Description Qty Unit Unit Cost Item Cost

Estimated Labor Cost Imported from PST 1 Lump $30,515.14 $30,515.14

Estimated Material Cost Imported from PST 1 Lump $67,569.12 $67,569.12

Estimated Equipment/Tool 

Cost Imported from PST 1 Lump $7,945.34 $7,945.34

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associate Preliminary Designs
Estimated Service Cost Imported from PST 1 Lump $0.00 $0.00

Component Net Cost $106,029.60

Escalation Adjustments

Item Description Item Cost

Escalation 4% per year $8,652.02

Net Cost Estimate (Escalated) $114,681.62

Grossing Adjustments

Item Description Item Cost

Compliance 

Max of 5% of Total Project 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($5,734.08) 

Updated as (2%) of Project Net Construction (Escalated) $2,293.63

Pre-design 

Max of 5% of Total Project 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($5,734.08) 

Updated as (0%) of Project Net Construction (Escalated) $0.00

Final Design 

Max of 10% of Total Project 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($11,468.16) 

Updated as (0%) of Project Net Construction (Escalated) $0.00

Supplemental Services 

Max of 2% of Total Project 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($2,293.63) 

Updated as (2%) of Project Net Construction (Escalated) $2,293.63

Project Management 

Max of 8% of Component 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($9,174.53) 

Updated as (0%) of Component Net Construction (Escalated) $0.00

Construction Contingency 

Max of 10% of Component 

Net Cost (Escalated) 

($11,468.16) 

Updated as (10%) of Component Net Construction (Escalated) $11,468.16

Component Funding Request (Net Cost Estimate Escalated + Total Add-on Amount) $130,737.04

Eligible Funding Sources and Funding Priorities

Funding Category Priorities by Eligible Funding Sources

Recreation Fee Park 

Revenue 

Funding Source Unit Relative Priority Regional Priority National Priority

Recreation Fee Park Revenue 1 of 24 

Recreation Fee Park Revenue - Cost of 

Collection 1 of 24 

Component Completion Report

Component Start Date: Component Completion Date:

Completion Report Date: Created By:

Change in Condition: Report Last Updated By:

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs
As Built Drawing or Report Number: As Built Drawing or Report Title:

Location of Original As Built Drawing or Report: As Built Drawing or Report Author:

Superintendent Approval Date: Superintendent Certification:

Brief Quantified Description of Final Product/Outcome:

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs
PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs
0 10' 20' 40'

PROJECT

NORTH

NORTH

NET PARKING AREA =

37,200± SQUARE FEET

(0.85± ACRE)

VISITOR CENTER

COMPLEX

Partial Conceptual Site Plan - Temporary North Parking Area - Alternate 2 35'-0"

ADD VAN ACCESSIBLE

HC STALL

R30'-0"

R30'-0"

(6) STALLS @ 17'-0"± = 101'-10"

35'-0"

(9) STALLS @ 17'-0"± = 144'-3"

R60'-0"

R30'-0"

12'-0"

(TYP)

12'-0"

(TYP)

90'-0" 35'-0" 50'-0" 35'-0" 35'-0"

TWO-WAY

INGRESS/

EGRESS

45°

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs
0 10' 20' 40'

PROJECT

NORTH

NORTH

NET PARKING AREA =

36,300± SQUARE FEET

(0.83 ACRE)

VISITOR CENTER

COMPLEX

Partial Conceptual Site Plan - Temporary North Parking Area 35'-0"

35'-0"

ADD VAN ACCESSIBLE

HC STALL 35'-0" 50'-0" 35'-0" 35'-0"

R30'-0"

R30'-0"

R15'-0"

R25'-0"

R60'-0"

(8) STALLS @ 17'-0"± = 135'-9" 55'-5"

35'-0"

(6) STALLS @ 17'-0"± = 101'-10"

R30'-0"

R30'-0"

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs
PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs
ONE WAY

OVERSIZE

VEHICLES

AND

BUSES ONLY

OVERSIZE

VEHICLES

AND

BUSES ONLY

OVERSIZE

VEHICLES

AND

BUSES ONLY ONE WAY ONE WAY ONE WAY WAY ONE WAY ONE

0 10' 20' 40'

Conceptual Site Plan - Temporary Parking and Offices

PROJECT

NORTH

NORTH

10'-0"±

46'-0" 26'-8"

(13) STALLS @ 10'-0" = 130'-0"

TOTAL PARKING =

(39) STALLS + (3) H.C.

STALLS + (3)

OVERSIZE VEHICLE

STALLS = 45 STALLS

40' X 24' (960 SF) MODULAR TRAILER

(TEMPORARY OFFICES, ETC.)

MODULAR TRAILER

40' X 24' (960 SF)

(TEMPORARY OFFICES, ETC.)

VISITOR CENTER

COMPLEX

12'-0" 12'-0" 12'-0"

22'-0"

26'-4"

10'-0" 10'-0" 13'-0" 5'-8" 13'-0" 6'-3"± 20'-0"

ENTRANCE

TEMPORARY

HC STALL

(11) STALLS @ 9'-8"± = 106'-11" 21'-10" 20'-0" 20'-0" 26'-0" 20'-0"

28'-10"

13'-0"

PROPOSED RESTROOMS

EXISTING RESTROOMS

(TO BE RE-PURPOSED) 20'-0"±

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs
ONE WAY

OVERSIZE VEHICLES

AND

BUSES ONLY ONE WAYONE WAY ONE WAY WAY ONE WAY ONE

OVERSIZE

VEHICLES

AND

BUSES ONLY

OVERSIZE VEHICLES

AND

BUSES ONLY WAY ONE

0 10' 20' 40'

PROJECT

NORTH

NORTH

(13) STALLS @ 9'-8" = 125'-8"

TOTAL PARKING =

(40) STALLS + (3) H.C.

STALLS + (3)

OVERSIZE VEHICLE

STALLS = 46 STALLS

40' X 24' (960 SF) MODULAR TRAILER

(TEMPORARY OFFICES, ETC.)

MODULAR TRAILER

40' X 24' (960 SF)

(TEMPORARY OFFICES, ETC.)

VISITOR CENTER

COMPLEX

TEMPORARY

HC STALL

(14) STALLS @ 9'-8" = 135'-4"

18'-0"

(3) STALLS @ 12'-9" = 38'-3"

WHEEL STOP

(TYP.)

(11) STALLS @ 9'-8" + (1) H.C. STALL = 107'-8" 21'-0" 26'-10"± 21'-0" 21'-0" 18'-0"

VAN ACCESSIBLE

H.C. STALL

10'-0"±

46'-0" 26'-8"

PROPOSED RESTROOMS

EXISTING RESTROOMS

(TO BE RE-PURPOSED) 20'-0"±

10'-0" 10'-0" 11'-0" 5'-0" 11'-0" 10'-11"

Conceptual Site Plan - Temporary Offices and Parking - 70° Angled Parking

26'-3" SIGN:

"DO NOT

ENTER"

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs
ONE WAY

OVERSIZE VEHICLES

AND

BUSES ONLY ONE WAYONE WAY ONE WAY WAY ONEWAY ONE

OVERSIZE

VEHICLES

AND

BUSES ONLY

OVERSIZE VEHICLES

AND

BUSES ONLY WAY ONE

0 10' 20' 40'

PROJECT

NORTH

NORTH

(17) STALLS @ 9'-8" = 164'-4"

TOTAL PARKING =

(49) STALLS + (4) H.C.

STALLS + (3)

OVERSIZE VEHICLE

STALLS = 56 STALLS

VISITOR CENTER

COMPLEX

(18) STALLS @ 9'-8" = 174'-0"

18'-0"

(3) STALLS @ 12'-9" = 38'-3"

WHEEL STOP

(TYP.)

(14) STALLS @ 9'-8" + (1) H.C. STALL = 135'-4" 21'-0" 26'-10"± 21'-0" 21'-0"

VAN ACCESSIBLE

H.C. STALL

10'-0" 5'-0"10'-0" 10'-0" 5'-0"10'-0"

Conceptual Site Plan - Permanent Parking - 70° Angled Parking

26'-3" SIGN:

"DO NOT

ENTER" 18'-0"

8'-0"

PMIS 250415 Construct Temporary Oversized Vehicle Parking & Associated Preliminary Designs
Current Conditions 10 Year Historic Growth If NM becomes NP

Mar‐18 62 Mar‐28 87 91

Jun‐18 44 Jun‐28 62 65

Peak Day 111 Peak Day 155 235

POVs

South Parking Lot 14

North Parking Lot 26

Total Parking Spaces 40

Current Conditions 10 Year Historic Growth If NM becomes NP

Mar‐18 22 Mar‐28 47 51

Jun‐18 4 Jun‐28 22 25

Peak Day 71 Peak Day 115 195

WHSA Parking Demand Analysis

Parking Demand

Parking Supply

Parking Shortage

Parking Lot Demand Analysis
10 year historic growth: 40% If NM becomes NP:  *Headwaters study

ADT Peak Day ADT Peak Day ADT Peak Day

Mar‐18 923 1658 Mar‐28 1290 2316 Mar‐28 1359 2441

Jun‐18 659 2379 Jun‐28 920 3323 Jun‐28 970 3502

21% first 5 years 4% annually next 5 years

1117 1359

0.375 hour 797 970

75% 0.5 hour

7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:00 PM

March 2018 % 

in Dunes ‐2 29 50 103 112 123 161 163 140 165 149 127 18 2 2 VC Parking 

Needed ‐1 11 19 38 42 46 60 61 53 62 56 48 7 1 1

June 2018 % in 

Dunes ‐1 20 35 73 80 88 115 117 100 118 106 91 13 1 1

VC Parking 

Needed ‐1 8 13 27 30 33 43 44 38 44 40 34 5 0 1

March 2028 % 

in Dunes ‐3 40 69 143 156 172 225 228 196 231 208 178 25 2 3

VC Parking 

Needed ‐1 15 26 54 58 64 84 86 73 87 78 67 9 1 1

June 2028 % in 

Dunes ‐2 28 49 102 111 122 161 163 140 165 148 127 18 2 2

VC Parking 

Needed ‐1 11 19 38 42 46 60 61 52 62 56 48 7 1 1

March 2028 % 

in Dunes ‐3 42 73 151 164 181 237 241 207 243 219 187 26 3 3

VC Parking 

Needed ‐1 16 27 57 62 68 89 90 77 91 82 70 10 1 1

June 2028 % in 

Dunes ‐2 30 52 108 117 129 169 172 147 174 156 134 19 2 2

VC Parking 

Needed ‐1 11 20 40 44 48 64 64 55 65 59 50 7 1 1

March 2018 % 

in Dunes ‐4 51 89 184 200 221 290 293 252 297 267 229 32 3 4

VC Parking 

Needed ‐1 19 33 69 75 83 109 110 94 111 100 86 12 1 1

June 2018 % in 

Dunes ‐5 74 128 265 288 316 416 421 362 426 383 328 46 5 5

VC Parking 

Needed ‐2 28 48 99 108 119 156 158 136 160 144 123 17 2 2

Historic Growth 

Rate March 

2028 % in 

Dunes ‐5 72 124 257 280 308 405 410 352 415 373 319 45 4 5

VC Parking 

Needed ‐2 27 47 97 105 116 152 154 132 155 140 120 17 2 2

Historic Growth 

Rate June 2028 

% in Dunes ‐8 103 179 369 402 442 580 588 505 595 535 458 65 6 8

VC Parking 

Needed ‐3 39 67 139 151 166 218 221 189 223 201 172 24 2 3

NM becomes 

NP 

March 2028 % 

in Dunes ‐6 75 131 271 295 325 426 432 371 437 393 337 47 5 6

VC Parking 

Needed ‐2 28 49 102 111 122 160 162 139 164 147 126 18 2 2

NM becomes 

NP

June 2028 % in 

Dunes ‐8 108 188 389 423 466 612 620 532 627 564 483 68 7 8

VC Parking 

Needed ‐3 41 71 146 159 175 229 232 200 235 211 181 26 3 3

Visitor Center Length of Stay

Peak Days

Current Conditions

Parking Demand Factor

Average Daily Traffic

WHSA Parking Demand Analysis

10 Year Historic Growth

If NM become NP

Current Conditions

Visitors that stop at VC

Parking Lot Demand Analysis
Day Traffic Counter Daily Vehicle Count Traffic Counter Daily Vehicle Count

Last Day 

of 

Previous 

Month                116,969               188,949

1                117,350                                 381               189,454                                 505

2                117,787                                 437               190,022                                 568

3                118,300                                 513               190,749                                 727

4                119,192                                 892               191,411                                 662

5                119,907                                 715               191,926                                 515

6                120,401                                 494               192,400                                 474

7                120,794                                 393               192,919                                 519

8                121,265                                 471               193,414                                 495

9                121,713                                 448               193,940                                 526

10                122,415                                 702               194,785                                 845

11                123,812                             1,397               195,577                                 792

12                124,850                             1,038               196,088                                 511

13                126,166                             1,316               196,649                                 561

14                127,737                             1,571               197,120                                 471

15                129,232                             1,495               197,622                                 502

16                130,511                             1,279               198,235                                 613

17                132,167                             1,656               198,931                                 696

18                133,825                             1,658               199,709                                 778

19                134,606                                 781               200,312                                 603

20                135,353                                 747               200,880                                 568

21                136,119                                 766               201,447                                 567

22                136,909                                 790               202,016                                 569

23                137,800                                 891               202,629                                 613

24                138,736                                 936               203,450                                 821

25                140,131                             1,395               204,185                                 735

26                141,197                             1,066               204,733                                 548

27                141,949                                 752               205,237                                 504

28                142,855                                 906               205,794                                 557

29                143,742                                 887               208,173                             2,379

30                144,667                                 925               208,719                                 546

***June 29 was a Full Moon Event

March 2018 June 2018

WHSA Traffic Counter at Park Entrance

Parking Lot Demand Analysis
August 25, 2013

7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00

Ingress 6 13 15 26 15 22 31 19 16 27 11 9 

% of total 2.8% 6.2% 7.1% 12.3% 7.1% 10.4% 14.7% 9.0% 7.6% 12.8% 5.2% 4.3% 0

Egress 7 7 11 15 14 21 24 20 23 23 16 15 

% of total 3.1% 3.1% 4.8% 6.6% 6.1% 9.2% 10.5% 8.8% 10.1% 10.1% 7.0% 6.6% 11

NM DOT Road Safety Audit Traffic Counts

Parking Lot Demand Analysis