managing travel for planned special events - FHWA Operations ...

of a detailed evaluation report. Qualitativeevaluation techniques include individual debriefingsof traffic management team members,patron surveys, and public surveys.Quantitative evaluation techniques includeperforming an operational cost analysis andanalyzing performance evaluation data collectedduring the traffic monitoring process.Evaluation results, identifying needs andsuccesses, represent valuable input towardplanning for future planned special eventsand creates an iterative process.Evaluation FrameworkThe first steps in the evaluation of the trafficmanagement plan implemented for theplanned special event take place during theevent operations planning phase. Knowingahead of time that a post-event evaluationwill occur allows participants to make provisionsfor the review. In particular, thismeans collecting data during the event,which can be used as part of the reviewprocess. At a minimum, this would includedata indicating how the system performedand a log of what took place during theevent.Measures of EffectivenessMeasures of effectiveness represent quantitativemeasures that give some insight intohow effectively a unit is performing. MOEsare measures of activity that, while not reflectingperformance directly, show workloadand trends. To evaluate how well thetraffic management plan worked, some formof measurement is necessary. In addition totelling stakeholders how effective their planwas, the measurements provide transportationprofessionals the means to demonstrateto others, including the media and electedofficials, how well the plan may haveworked.There are two areas of effectiveness thatshould be measured, internal and external.Table 3-40 indicates examples of internalmeasures. Table 3-41 presents a list of externalmeasures.Table 3-40Internal Measures of EffectivenessMEASURE• Number of messages displayed on changeablemessage signs• Number of messages broadcast on highwayadvisory radio• Number of traffic incidents handled• Number of messages transmitted betweenstakeholders• Number of traffic signal timing changes• Number of times a ramp(s) was closed andtime/duration of closure(s)Table 3-41External Measures of EffectivenessMEASURE• Volume of traffic on major routes• Volume of traffic on alternate routes• Volume of traffic entering and exiting the siteand parking areas• Hours of delay• Number of event patrons and participants utilizingtransit to and from the event• Travel times• Modal split• Average vehicle occupancyApplication to Future EventsWhether the event is a one-time only happeningor an annual occurrence, what hasbeen learned through the evaluation can contributetoward proactively improving travelmanagement for all planned special eventsoccurring in a region.To be beneficial for future planned specialevents, the results of the evaluation shouldbe documented and made accessible. In thecase of a one-time only event, the evaluationmay show both general and specific insights,which can be used for other future planned3-56