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

Lot AssignmentThe objectives of lot assignment include:• Efficiently distribute the flow of traffic.• Minimize the superimposition of trafficflow on a single access road section.• Separate pedestrian, automobile, andbus/taxi/limo traffic.• Accommodate group needs.Table 6-6 lists the factors that influence thisplanning process. Key considerations forsome of these factors include:• Parking areas designated for disabled,reserved, and valet parking require onsitespaces with easy access to the eventvenue. However, the location of theselots must afford users the opportunity toegress immediately after the event withoutintersecting extreme levels of pedestriantraffic.• Some planned special events draw a significantlevel of event patrons travelingin a recreational vehicle. These patronstypically arrive well before the eventstart, if not one day prior to the event,and tailgate after the event. As a result,a recreational vehicle parking areashould exist adjacent to streets segmentsthat the traffic management team maytemporally close after the event to safelyaccommodate pedestrian traffic. Thisconsideration also applies to the selectionof media and participant parking areas.These groups arrive before and departafter the majority of event patronsand require parking near the venue, especiallymedia who have to transportheavy equipment.• For major special events, employeesshould park at a remote off-site lot withshuttle bus service.• The section on site access and circulationwill discuss taxi and limo operations.• In evaluating parking areas for heavyvehicles (e.g., buses and recreational vehicles),the event planning team mustverify that vehicles can execute all requiredturning movements during ingressand egress.• If the use of any parking area requires alease or third-party agreement (e.g., useof a commercial lot), then planners musthave the agreement signed well beforethe day-of-event.Table 6-6Factors Influencing Lot AssignmentFACTOR• On-site parking location• Off-site parking location• Disabled parking• Reserved (VIP/permit) parking• Participant parking• Valet parking• Media parking• Employee parking• Bus parking• Recreational vehicle parking• Taxi/limo stagingTraveler InformationDissemination of traveler information onsite access and parking utilizes several toolsand approaches, including pre-trip and enroute:• As part of pre-trip information dissemination,the event planning team shouldprepare a site and parking plan forstakeholder use and for distribution toevent patrons via advertisements as wellas the event or venue website. The eventoperator should include directions tospecific parking areas with pre-eventticket and parking pass distribution.• En-route information disseminationtechniques begin with any combinationof static signs, portable changeable messagesigns (CMS), and highway advisoryradio (HAR) positioned on freeway andarterial corridors serving the event. Fig-6EVENT PROFILE POST-EVENT ACTIVITIES DAY-OF-EVENT ACTIVITIES ADVANCE PLANNINGOVERVIEW6-13