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

Simulation models generally require a nontrivialanalysis effort. Moreover, anymodel-specific limitations should be takeninto consideration when interpreting theoutputs of simulation. Sensitivity analysesare important to developing an understandingof: (1) how reasonable the simulationestimates are and (2) how much confidencethe analyst should place in them.SITE ACCESS ANDPARKING PLANOverviewChapter 5 detailed steps for conducting aparking demand analysis, including guidelinesfor evaluating the scope of parkingarea required to serve event patrons. In turn,a site access and parking plan contains operationsstrategies for managing automobile,bus, taxi, and limousine traffic destined toand from the following areas in the vicinityof a planned special event venue: (1) publicparking area, (2) reserved (permit) parkingarea, (3) overflow parking area, and (4)pick-up/drop-off area. The event planningteam must create a flexible plan that containsproactive strategies for responding toreal-time event patron travel patterns drivenby their choice of public parking areas, especiallyif parking fees vary from lot to lot.Traffic destined to the three other site areashas a fixed ingress and egress pattern asspecified in the plan through lot assignmentsand permitted movements.The site access and parking plan must fitseamlessly into other components of thetraffic management plan. This includes thepedestrian access plan, traffic flow plan, andtraffic control plan. For instance, the pedestrianaccess plan must accommodate pedestriansarriving to/from each parking area orpick-up/drop-off point while still achievinga manageable dispersion of pedestrian traffic.Parking area access and site circulationarrangements must correlate with street trafficcontrol schemes.Site access and parking plan developmentinvolves a three-step process: (1) access, (2)process, and (3) park:• Access refers to getting event trafficfrom the adjacent street system to theirdestination, such as a parking area orpick-up/drop-off area, during ingress andvice versa during egress. The trafficmanagement team manages the accessoperations component.• Process involves activities necessary to“approve” vehicles for entry into a parkingarea. A fee transaction between aparking area operator and motoristrepresents a common process activity.• Park involves handling vehicles from aprocess point to a parking space. Aparking team and associated volunteersoperate the process and park components.A breakdown in any one of thethree components can result in congestionextending to the adjacent street systemand possibly to freeway and arterialcorridors serving the planned specialevent.Parking Policies and TacticsGeneral ConsiderationsTable 6-5 presents three general considerationsregarding proactive parking managementfor planned special events.Table 6-5General Parking ManagementConsiderationsCONSIDERATION• Lot assignment• Traveler information• Contingency plans6-12