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

• Transit Information Guide – A pocketsizedfoldout information guide was developedand widely distributed to Giantsfans, including all season ticket holders.• Transit Information Hotline – A toll-freenumber was developed to provide livetransit planning assistance for patrons.• Transit Tickets by Mail – Giants seasonticket holders were provided the opportunityto purchase transit tickets in advancethrough the mail.• Transit Incentive Program – Giants fansthat purchased transit tickets in advancewere rewarded with points toward theGiant’s fan appreciation program.• Transit Advertising – An advertisingcampaign was developed using the“Your Ticket Home” logo and was featuredon Bay Area trains and buses andin the ballpark. The use of public transportationwas also heavily promoted onGiant’s radio and television broadcastsas well as on the scoreboard inside thepark.• Transit Ambassador Program – The Giantsand the various transit agenciesworked together to provide “transit ambassadors.”These ambassadors helpedto answer questions and guide new ridersthrough transfers and fare collectionprocedures at various stations. Theseambassadors wore brightly colored uniformsthat were easy to recognize.The Giants, the MTC and the San FranciscoDepartment of Parking and Traffic alsoworked together to effectively publicizeavailable transit services through local mediaincluding newspapers, television, andradio. In addition, press releases were issuedand interviews were scheduled on televisionand radio to further promote the transitprogram.PRE-TRIP TRAVELERINFORMATIONInformation NeedsVarious traveler information techniques areused to disseminate information to the public,including both event patrons and nonattendeeroad users, so they can be betterinformed when planning their trip to aplanned special event, or around an event.Table 7-4 lists techniques used to providepre-trip information to the traveling public.Table 7-4Pre-Trip Traveler Information DisseminationTechniquesTECHNIQUE• Internet• Telephone information systems• Public information campaign• Event and venue transportation guide• Kiosks• Television• Newspapers• Changeable message signs• Highway advisory radioThe primary function of pre-trip informationinvolves assisting drivers with decisions regardingroute planning, travel mode, and thetime of day to travel. Accurate pre-triptravel information will provide benefits toall transportation system users in the form oftime and cost savings.Pertinent information that event patrons maywant before beginning their trip include:• Best driving route to the venue fromspecific origins (e.g., cities or freeways)• Best public transit route• Parking area locations and parking fees,access to disabled parking spaces, andtimes that the parking areas open beforethe event7-14