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

• The first approach pertains to applyingHighway Capacity Manual (HCM) recommendedcapacity analysis methodologiesto discrete locations in the studyarea. Practitioners determine roadwaysections, freeway junctions, or intersectionsfor analysis, then apply an appropriateHCM methodology to identifymovement capacity constraints andmeasure operations level of service.• The latter approach concerns utilizing acomputer traffic simulation model toidentify bottleneck locations, or hotspots, and associated saturation flowrates. Practitioners scope the size anddetail of the simulation model network,and the model works to reveal operationaldeficiencies.Computer traffic simulation models provideseamless analysis of traffic operations acrossa network of roadway segments and intersections.This proves particularly useful inanalyzing a corridor of closely spaced trafficsignals where signal coordination and vehiclespillback from adjacent intersectionssharply impact traffic operations. Numerousmacroscopic and microscopic simulationmodels exist, including the CORSIM microscopiccomputer traffic simulation modeldeveloped and supported by FHWA. COR-SIM can interface component freeway(FRESIM) and arterial (NETSIM) simulationmodels. For example, it has the capabilityof showing a freeway entrance rampbottleneck and the resulting queue spillbackon adjacent streets (or vice versa). Asshown in Figure 5-14, CORSIM also affordspractitioners and event planning team stakeholdersthe opportunity to view an animationof simulated traffic operations.Figure 5-14CORSIM Simulation AnimationMitigation of ImpactsMitigating anticipated planned special eventimpacts on travel represents the ultimategoal of conducting a feasibility study. Themitigation of congestion and potential safetyimpacts identified through a feasibility studyrequires development of a traffic managementplan and complementing travel demandmanagement strategies. In turn, practitionerscan utilize the tools and techniquesused to determine feasibility study results inorder to evaluate various mitigation strategiesand determine if the selected strategiesadequately mitigate identified transportationsystem deficiencies.Table 5-18 lists numerous tools for mitigatingplanned special event impacts on localroadway and regional transportation systemoperations. In meeting the overall travelmanagement goal of achieving efficiency,these tools target utilizing the excess capacityof the roadway system, parking facilities,and transit. Through travel demand management,event planning team stakeholdersdevelop attractive incentives and use innovativecommunication mechanisms to influenceevent patron decision-making and, ultimately,traffic demand. Chapters 6 and 75EVENT PROFILE POST-EVENT ACTIVITIES DAY-OF-EVENT ACTIVITIES ADVANCE PLANNINGOVERVIEW5-31