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

inaccurate, it will become clear that aspectof the plan needs to be reexamined.As shown in Table 10-5, the patron surveycan take several forms. Appendix D containsan Internet-based event patron evaluationsurvey for those attending the 2003 FairSaint Louis festival. The patron surveyprobably will not be able to identify problemsin great detail, but combined with recordkeeping by the participating stakeholders,the survey should be able to focuson where problems occurred.Table 10-5Types of Event Patron SurveysTYPE• Comment cards event patrons can fill-out• Surveyors who question attendees• Solicited and unsolicited e-mailed commentsThe survey should be brief in order to encouragea response. Yes or no type questionsare easily answered. Sample questionsfor possible inclusion in a patron survey include:• Were you aware of any special travelinformation before the event?• Did you find information provided enrouteto the event (e.g., via signs, radio)helpful?• Did you experience any unexpectedproblems approaching the venue?• Do you have any suggestions or othercomments you wish to offer?Public SurveyThe public survey takes in a wider audiencethan the patrons. This includes those whomay have been impacted by the plannedspecial event even though they did not attendthe event. Since this is a larger andmore diverse group of stakeholders, it maybe more difficult to identify and surveythem.Methods for reaching the public include surveysin rest areas along alternate routes andapproach routes to the event, solicitationsvia websites, and comments provided byphone and mail. Surveys may be mailed tohomeowners and businesses in the area affectedby the special event to solicit theiropinions. Sample questions for possible inclusionin public survey include:• Were you aware of the event before ittook place?• If you were aware of the event beforehand,would you have altered your plansbased on that information?• Did you change your plans or scheduleas a result of the event?• How would you evaluate the effectivenessof traffic management efforts forthis event (poor, good, excellent)?• Do you have any additional comments orsuggestions based on your experience?An effort must be made to collate all commentsfrom widespread locations to be certainall input is considered. Specific outreachmay be made to members of the publicwho were directly impacted by the event.Businesses, residents, and transit riders are afew of those who may have experienced impactscaused by the planned special event.Since these individuals can be found at easilyidentifiable locations, or perhaps activelyparticipated in the review and comment ofthe traffic management plan during the eventoperations phase, it is easier to survey thesestakeholders.POST-EVENTDEBRIEFING10EVENT PROFILE POST-EVENT ACTIVITIES DAY-OF-EVENT ACTIVITIES ADVANCE PLANNINGOVERVIEW10-7