FORT BENNING, Ga., (May 21, 2014) -- Engineering students from the University of Georgia teamed with the Directorate of Public Works to propose safe and healthier modes of transportation for the Fort Benning community.
Seniors Mike York, Robbie Schamerhorn, Marshall Wynne and Hayden Lynch created a bike path for their senior engineering design project, a master design course that is required for their degree curriculum.
Vance Warren, SAIC engineering contractor for DPW, said Fort Benning has previously worked with student design teams from UGA and Auburn University to develop ongoing projects on post.
"It takes money for the DPW or anyone to hire a commercial architecture or engineering firm to come in and design various projects, so we thought about what students could do and give them a real-world designing initiative to use as a senior project," Warren said.
York said the proposal aims to provide a network of pedestrian and bicycle paths that encourage walking or bicycling as an alternative to driving, improves pedestrian and bicycle safety, provides alternative routes for physical training and promotes improved Soldier and civilian fitness. The area of focus for this project will be the Main Post, which covers approximately 6,000 acres.
"Our first objective was to understand the needs of the Soldiers, civilians and Fort Benning employees," he said. "We had several stakeholder meetings and conducted surveys to become more familiar with the areas of interest, Fort Benning's vision for future expansion and transportation needs and other considerations that factored in to our design."
The team assessed existing walkways and points of interest around post, with considerations of areas such as Family housing sectors, the current and new Martin Army Community Hospital locations and the Chattahoochee Riverwalk.
They also researched standards and regulations for road widths, path types, adding bike lanes and striping to develop several concepts for safe, alternative transportation. York said the team hopes to see its implementation of the project over the next few years.
"The master plan will connect many high traveled points of interest on the post, making it feasible for people to get from one place to another without the need for a car or having to worry about parking," York said. "We hope to see a decrease in the number of both car and pedestrian accidents or collisions in comparison to the data from years past, and to decrease the overall number of vehicles on the streets by providing safe, practical options for alternative transportation."
Warren said cost analysis and final reports from the team and DPW engineers will be presented to garrison commander Col. Michail Huerter for approval. Warren said student projects are a great advantage for local universities and Fort Benning.
"The students have great ideas because they're not here everyday and they give us a different perspective," he said. "It doesn't cost Fort Benning anything and we still get to have relationships with these universities and students."
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