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

tions planning, (2) implementation and dayof-eventactivities, (3) post-event activities,and (4) program planning. In planning forall planned special events in a region, thefinal section on program planning highlightsissues to consider that evolve from and/orpertain to regional/multi-venue events. Byfollowing each one of the steps and procedures,the user will have identified and coveredall the significant aspects that are necessaryto result in successful management oftravel for a planned special event with characteristicsspecific to a regional/multi-venueevent.A regional/multi-venue event refers to multipleplanned special events that occurwithin a region at or near the same time.Individual events may differ by classificationcategory. Table 14-1 indicates differenttypes of planned special events classified asa regional/multi-venue event. Concurrentplanned special events require considerationas a regional/multi-venue event if trafficgenerated by different, competing specialevents use the same traffic flow routes (e.g.,freeway/arterial corridors, local streets) orparking areas over the same time frame. Asa result, stakeholders involved in planningand managing individual special eventsmust, as a group, forecast and mitigate theglobal impact of concurrent special eventson transportation system operations. Table14-2 lists key characteristics of a regional/multi-venueevent.Table 14-1Types of Regional/Multi-Venue EventsEVENT TYPE• Occurrence of a single-theme event requiringmultiple venues to stage the event• Occurrence of a downtown parade or festivalin the vicinity of a downtown fixed venue alsohosting a special event• Occurrence of special events at two fixedvenues in a region at or near the same timeTable 14-2Distinguishing Operating Characteristics ofa Regional/Multi-Venue EventCHARACTERISTIC• Occurrence of events at multiple venues andat or near the same time• Events having a time specific duration, a continuousduration, or both• Overall capacity generally not known if continuousevents or street use events are involvedSpecial ConsiderationsIn light of the characteristics of a regional/multi-venueevent, special considerationswhen planning such an event include:• Traffic flow routes to/from differentevents may use the same road segments,and predominant traffic demand occursin the same or opposite directions.• Traffic flow routes that serve differentspecial event venues may intersect.• Overflow parking areas typically reservedfor a recurring special event orpermanent venue may be required to accommodatedemand from nearby concurrentevents.• Ingress and egress operations for concurrentevents may occur at the same time.• Event patrons and participants maytravel from one planned special event toanother.• Traffic control and traveler informationfor different special events can confuseevent patrons.EVENT OPERATIONSPLANNINGPlanned regional/multi-venue events include,for example, multi-day sportinggames (e.g., Olympic style) that requiremultiple venues to stage various events andmajor fireworks displays in areas offering14-2