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

Regional/Multi-Venue EventA 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. Example regional/multivenueevents include: (1) occurrence of asingle-theme event requiring multiple venuesto stage the event, (2) occurrence of adowntown parade or festival in the vicinityof a downtown fixed venue also hosting aspecial event, or (3) occurrence of specialevents at two fixed venues in a region at ornear the same time. Concurrent plannedspecial events require consideration as a regional/multi-venueevent if traffic generatedby different, competing special events usethe same traffic flow routes (e.g., freeway/arterialcorridors, local streets) or parkingareas over the same time frame. As aresult, stakeholders involved in planning andmanaging individual special events must, asa group, forecast and mitigate the global impactof concurrent special events on transportationsystem operations. Table 3-7 listskey characteristics of a regional/multi-venueevent.Table 3-7Distinguishing Operating Characteristicsof a Regional/Multi-Venue EventCHARACTERISTIC• Occurrence of events at multiple venues andat or near the same time• Events having a time specific duration, acontinuous duration, or both• Overall capacity generally not known if continuousevents or street use events are involvedRural EventA rural event encompasses any discrete/recurringevent or continuous eventthat occurs in a rural area. Events classifiedunder this category include fairs, festivals,and events at rural amphitheater and racetrackvenues. These events indicate that ruralevents collectively have the event operationcharacteristics of discrete/recurringevents at a permanent venue and continuousevents with one notable exception; ruralevents take place in rural areas. Table 3-8lists key characteristics of a rural event.Table 3-8Distinguishing Operating Characteristicsof a Rural EventCHARACTERISTIC• Rural or rural/tourist area• High attendance events attracting event patronsfrom a regional area• Limited roadway capacity serving an eventvenue• Area lacking regular transit service.• Events having either a time specific durationor continuous durationPROGRAM PLANNINGProgram planning for planned special eventsinvolves activities unrelated to a specificevent. This level of advance planning involvesthe participation and coordination ofstakeholders having an oversight role in additionto agencies directly responsible forevent operations planning. Products of programplanning include establishing new institutionalframeworks, policies, and legislationto monitor, regulate, and evaluate futureplanned special events. Stakeholders utilizeprogram planning initiatives to more efficientlyand effectively complete event operationsplanning, implementation activities,day-of-event activities, and post-event activitiesfor individual, future planned special3EVENT PROFILE POST-EVENT ACTIVITIES DAY-OF-EVENT ACTIVITIES ADVANCE PLANNINGOVERVIEW3-11