I. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 



This report presents an analysis of the transportation Impacts of a new 

 Aquarium facility located at Drydock #2 in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Figure 1 

 Illustrates the general location of the current New England Aquarium on Central 

 Wharf in downtown Boston and the proposed new facility at Drydock #2 In the 

 Charlestown Navy Yard. 



The conclusion of the transportation analysis, under the assumptions 

 summarized below, is that the proposed Aquarium at Drydock «2 in the Charlestown 

 Navy Yard can be accommodated from a traffic and parking standpoint In the 1994 

 design year with a projected visitation level of 2.1 million per year and 300 

 employees. This conclusion, however, requires that parking be developed for 

 visitors to the site; that a number of traffic Improvements be made at key 

 locations, depending on the slte(s) ultimately chosen for parking facilities; and 

 that pedestrian and transit access to the Charlestown Navy Yard be Improved. 



Assumpt Ions 



A number of alternative scenarios related to Aquarium visitation levels and 

 the travel characteristics of Aquarium visitors were evaluated to determine the 

 possible range of transportation Impacts. These results were then used to define 

 a working scenario for further analysis. Actions required to assure that the 

 transportation network In and around the Navy Yard will function with the Aquarium 

 In place were Identified. The following assumptions are being used to define the 

 working scenario for an opening year of 1994: 



o There will be 1.9 to 2.0 million annual visitors to the Aquarium In 

 1994 (compared to 1.3 ml I I Ion annua I visitors to the existing facility 

 In 1987). To be conservative, an annual visitation of 2.1 million was 

 used in the analysis. 



o There will be 300 persons employed at the Aquarium during the peak 

 season. 



o Forty-five percent (45%) of aquarium employees will commute to 

 work by means other than private automobile. This assumption Is 

 the same as that used for the balance of the Navy Yard employees. 



o Twenty-five percent (25X) of visitors will arrive at the Navy Yard 

 Aquarium by means other than private automobile. Including water 

 transportation, surface public transportation, tour bus, taxi and 

 wa I k I ng . 



o The average visitor length of stay will be two and one-half hours. 



o The average vehicle occupancy for Aquarium visitors will be 2.5 people 

 per vehicle. 



o The percentage of total annual visitors In July and August will rise 

 from the current level of 26.8% to 32. 4X. 



o On peak days during the summer 25X of total visitors to the Navy 

 Yard will go to both the Aquarium and the USS Const I tut Ion. 



