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

planned special event and related travel options.7Figure 7-9Promotion of 511 Service on Event Website(Graphic courtesy of Bristol Motor Speedway.)Public Information CampaignA public information campaign is simply anoutreach initiative designed to disseminate amessage(s) to a general audience and to garnerpublic response to the message subject.Key considerations include:• In order for a public information campaignto be successful, stakeholders mustinitiate the campaign well in advance ofa special event.• Information disseminated through thecampaign needs to reach both event patronsand non-attendee road users.• Maps showing event site and location ofparking areas, as well as any associatedroadway closures and/or special trafficpatterns, can be placed in local newspapers.In addition, this information canbe broadcast on local radio and televisionnewscasts throughout the day.• Special media briefings can be held inadvance of the event so that the mediahas ample time to inform the public ofthe upcoming activities. Stakeholderscan provide the media with maps andwritten information.As shown in Figure 7-10, television advertisementscan broadcast telephone numbersto call for additional information about aFigure 7-10Public Information Campaign PromotionThe Wisconsin DOT and its stakeholderpartners provide several information packagesfor events held throughout the state.One such event was the 2002 Major LeagueBaseball All-Star game held at Miller Parkin Milwaukee. The DOT provided a detailedbrochure for event patrons going tothe baseball game, informing them of roadconstruction and potential difficulties (e.g.,delays) in accessing the ballpark. The brochurethen specified, in detail, alternateroutes that motorists could take to avoid themost congested areas. The brochure alsodirected event patrons to the DOT websitefor further information concerning any topiccovered.The Wisconsin DOT also produced a brochureentitled “Get Down Downtown” forthe Milwaukee area. This brochure includedmaps of the area that specified all on-goingroadway construction projects. It also providedinformation on available public transitsystem service and parking area locations.Suggestions, such as “carpool with friendsand coworkers,” were made to reduce trafficdemand in the downtown area, particularlywhen planned special events occur. TheEVENT PROFILE POST-EVENT ACTIVITIES DAY-OF-EVENT ACTIVITIES ADVANCE PLANNINGOVERVIEW7-19