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

• Recommended event ingress and egressroutes, particularly if different for arrivalsand departures• Up-to-the-minute roadway information(e.g., current traffic conditions andweather conditions)• Estimated travel time by different travelmodes• Event information such as times andschedules• Recommended speed/safety advisories• Scheduled roadway construction andmaintenance lane closures• On-street parking restrictions during theevent• Heavy vehicle restrictions• Expected delays leaving the eventThis information may help event patronsbetter gauge the utility associated withavailable travel choices and, in turn, assesswhat transportation mode and route they willbe taking to the event. Pre-trip traveler informationalso helps event patrons budgetsufficient time in accessing the event venue.Non-transportation information that may bepertinent to an event patron’s travel plan includessecurity procedures. This encompassesitems allowed to be brought into theparking area or the venue itself, includingpets. This information is important since itmay impact the amount of time it takes spectatorsto get into a parking area or venue.Other information includes what vendors areavailable on-site, since event patrons mayhave the option of eating before or after thespecial event. This will impact the time theevent patron designates for venue arrival. Inaddition, a seating chart and gate locationsmay assist the spectator in selecting whichparking area to use.Non-attendee road users also desire informationon event specifics, but this informationis directed more to possible road/lane closuresor changes in normal traffic patterns.The main issues for the non-attendee roaduser becomes, “How will the event generatedtraffic impact my daily driving routine?”The most relevant information is upto-the-minutetraffic reports in the area ofthe venue, used by non-attendee road usersto determine if their travel route needs adjusting.Information on travel lane closuresis also important to determine if extra timeneeds to be budgeted or an alternate routetaken.All of this pre-trip information helps transportationsystem users plan their best routeto and from the event or around the event.The event patrons will have the informationthey need to arrive on time for the event;moreover, the information will prepare themfor what may lie ahead in their trip. Thenon-attendee road users are also made awareof what to expect as a result of a plannedspecial event. If residents and businesses inthe area surrounding a venue incur significantimpacts, then it may be more difficult,in the future, to obtain special event permitsin the area.In order to improve public understanding,cooperation, and acceptance of the plannedspecial event, stakeholders should considerthe following actions:• Develop public information programs toencourage early travel to the eventand/or spectator use of alternative routesor transit.• Develop public information programs toencourage non-attendee road users toconsider transit, ridesharing, and alternativework hours.• Develop agreements with trucking agenciesto avoid peak period travel and deliveries.7EVENT PROFILE POST-EVENT ACTIVITIES DAY-OF-EVENT ACTIVITIES ADVANCE PLANNINGOVERVIEW7-15