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

Table 11-4Checklist of Implementation and Day-of-Event Activities for Discrete/Recurring Events at aPermanent VenueHANDBOOKAPPLIESACTIONPAGE8-2 • Develop an implementation plan.8-6 • Conduct a stakeholder simulation exercise(s).8-8 • Test equipment resources slated for use on the day-of-event.8-9 • Recruit and train volunteers to fulfill personnel resource needs.9-2 • Implement a traffic management team management process.9-4 • Designate a multi-agency command post.9-6 • Conduct traffic management plan evaluation(s) during the day-of-event.9-6• Establish protocol for traffic management team officials to consider andimplement changes to the traffic management plan to accommodate realtimetraffic conditions.9-8 • Establish interagency communication protocol.9-9 • Review communication equipment compatibility.9-10 • Use the media to communicate with event patrons and other transportationusers.9-12 • Perform traffic monitoring on the day-of-event.Some distinguishing considerations of thisevent category during the day-of-event activitiesphase include:• Because of the numerous planned specialevents held annually at a permanentvenue, stakeholders typically have a setlocation for an on-site command post.For larger venues in metropolitan areas,the command post may reside inside thevenue, contain permanently installedequipment (e.g., computer and communicationconnections, video monitors,etc.), and function as a satellite transportationmanagement center.• Interagency communication structureand protocol is generally well establishedand understood by all participatingpersonnel.• Traffic advisory services often monitorspecial events at permanent venues anddisseminate traveler information accordingly,and the media provides significantcoverage of major sporting events thatusually includes traveler information andtransportation system operations monitoring.The traffic management teammay interact with these information providerson the day-of-event.• The collection and evaluation of transportationsystem performance dataproves valuable in guiding decisionmakingfor future discrete/recurringevents at a permanent venue. Stakeholderscan archive raw data for use infuture feasibility studies, and variousevaluation measures can identify specificareas that require improvement for future,similar events at the subject venue.The traffic management team must exercisegreat care in collecting performanceevaluation data in order to ensure dataquality and consistency.11-8