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

parking garage. The lack of such permanentidentification landmarks at unpavedparking areas can create significantpedestrian/vehicular conflicts, notto mention added delay for the event patron,as pedestrians scan the parking areafor their vehicle.o Figure 6-8 shows an innovative parkingarea identification technique appliedto unpaved parking areas,which represented a golf course, atthe Rose Bowl. The technique involvedattaching a numbered balloonto portable lighting trailers stationedat various unpaved parking areas.Some balloons were visible from insidethe stadium.Figure 6-8Temporary Parking Area IdentificationLandmarkContingency PlansContingency planning involves the developmentof traveler information message setsto divert and guide event ingress traffic tooverflow parking areas:• If unpaved parking areas are used, thetraffic management team should have acontingency plan when wet weather preventsthe use of unpaved lots. This includesusing other paved areas, particularlylots serving an inactive land use orone adversely affected by wet weathersuch as a park, and/or allowing on-streetparking.Technology ApplicationsTechnology utilized for day-to-day trafficmanagement can greatly enhance parkingmanagement and efficiency of operation atpermanent venues that serve numerousplanned special events. In particular, use oftechnology can improve operator monitoringof parking areas and facilitate accurate, upto-datedissemination of traveler information.Advanced Parking Management SystemA basic advanced parking management systemallows operators, stationed at a transportationmanagement center, to monitor parkingareas and control traveler informationdevices used to disseminate parking information.Key considerations include:• Advanced systems include electronicdetection equipment that transmits realtimetraffic volume counts and speeds tothe TMC.• The system surveillance and monitoringsystem incorporates pan-tilt closedcircuittelevision (CCTV) cameras forviewing parking areas and adjacent accessroads.• Traveler information devices include aCMS and HAR network coupled withstrategically positioned blank-out signsthat communicate parking area status information(e.g., lot full) to motorists.• With real-time access to CCTV, TMCtraffic signal system operators can implementtiming modifications on demand.• Operators at the TMC can integrate theadvanced parking management systeminto the greater Advanced Traveler InformationSystem for the region (e.g.,6EVENT PROFILE POST-EVENT ACTIVITIES DAY-OF-EVENT ACTIVITIES ADVANCE PLANNINGOVERVIEW6-15