SOP_609_Vehicle_Use_on_Alcatraz.pdf

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

SUBJECT: VEHICLE USE ON ALCATRAZ

PROCEDURE NUMBER: 609

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 15, 2001

REPLACES: NA

Introduction

Standard Operating

Procedures

With increasing visitation and construction work on Alcatraz, there has been increased damage to the historic road, consisting primarily of broken utility chase covers. In order to preserve the Alcatraz National Historic Landmark, particularly the historic road (AL-227 and AL-228), while providing safe access to the Island for visitors and workers alike, this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been developed. Its purpose is to guide ALL vehicular use throughout the Island.

In order to preserve the historic road, it is important that vehicular traffic limit the amount, time, and weight on the utility chases which are being broken or damaged by being driven over. In some areas there is no alternative, however, the remainder of the road can be divided so that vehicles will not adversely impact the chases.

Appropriate Vehicles -

At the present time, the following vehicles are currently either on or used on the Island:

• 1 - 1/2 ton pickup, mini

• 1 - ~ ton pickup, full size

• 1 - 112 ton 1940 pickup

• 3 - electric vehicles (ambulance, maintenance, SPUG)

• 4 - tram tractors

• 7 - tram trailers

• 1 - 6000 lb. forklift

Although there is no proposal to remove any of these vehicles at the present time, as it comes time to replace them, all new vehicles must conform to the following requirements:

• All vehicles must have rubber, pneumatic tires.

• Weight restriction per load of 1,200 pounds for point loading (wheel loads) and 800 pounds per square foot for uniformly distributed loads. The load limits are individual limits and should not be combined. For example, once the cover is loaded at uniform load of 800 pounds per square foot, an additional point load cannot be added.

• Pickups limited to 1h ton short bed, mini, with the exception of the new % ton SPUG pick-up (which will be used as infrequently and carefully as possible) .

Requirements of Contractors and Permittees -

In order to preserve the historic fabric to the greatest extent possible, all contractors and permittees will be required to abide by the following:

• No vehicles will be allowed on the road from first to last visitor boat each day, except for emergency vehicles; transportation of materials and equipment will be completed before first or after the last visitor boat each day. The only exception will be in order to prevent a work stoppage. With NPS approval, and with a spotter when the vehicle is in motion in any open (visitor) areas, a vehicle may be allowed on the road.

• Use of vehicles , outside of transportation of materials and equipment, will not be allowed.

• With the exception of the tram and small golf cart-sized vehicles, whenever a vehicle is in use in an open area where visitors are present a "spotter" is required.

• Drivers will refer to the map in Appendix A to ensure that they stay off the utility chases (noted in red on the map) as much as possible.

• Route will be off utility covers as much as possible.

• Parking will be limited to designated areas only.

• All contract employees and permittees will be required to attend a briefing on the history and resources of the Island and the rules of conduct for work on the Island.

• Operational/procedural issues will be addressed through project managers and/or

CORs.

Requirements of In-House Staff (NPS, GGNPA, Concessioner)

In order to preserve the historic fabric to the extent possible, all staff of the NPS, GGNPA, and the concessioner assigned to Alcatraz Island will be required to abide by the following:

• Route will be off utility covers as much as possible.

• With the exception of the tram and small golf cart-sized vehicles, whenever a vehicle is in use in an open area where visitors are present a "spotter" is recommended.

• Drivers will refer to the map in Appendix A to ensure that they stay off the utility chases (noted in red on the map) as much as possible.

• Parking will be limited to designated areas only.

• No vehicles will be allowed on the road from first to last visitor boat each day, except for emergency vehicles; transportation of materials and equipment will be completed before first or after the last visitor boat each day. The only exception will be in order to prevent a work stoppage. With NPS approval, and with a spotter when the vehicle is in motion in any open (visitor) areas, a vehicle may be allowed on the road.

• Use of vehicles, outside of transportation of materials and equipment, will not be allowed.

• All Island-assigned employees will be required to attend a briefing on the history and resources of the Island and the rules of conduct for work on the Island.

• Operational/procedural issues will be addressed through proper chain of command. In order to address these issues a bi-weekly meeting of all Alcatraz Supervisors will be established. On an as-needed basis, SPUG managers should participate in such meetings.

Copies of this SOP, including the map, will be given to all NPS, GGNPA, and concession staff. The requirements outlined here will be included in or attached to all contracts and permits for work or events on the Island. It is critical to the preservation of the resource and the safety of the staff, contractors , permittees, and visitors that this SOP is followed.

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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

ALCATRAZ UTILITY CHASE 7/20/2001 Hans Barnoal

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