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

Table 3-14 summarizes four types of policiesand agreements involving stakeholdersresponsible for event operations planningand/or day-of-event operations.Feasibility StudyThe structure and approach of a plannedspecial event feasibility study resembles aTraffic Impact Study required for planneddevelopments, as illustrated in Figure 3-8.The figure shows the sequential steps inpreparing a feasibility study for a plannedspecial event.Table 3-15 provides an overview of the firstfive feasibility study components. The accuracyof one analysis influences that of another.Achieving predictability, a goal ofmanaging travel for planned special events,represents the focus of a feasibility studyeffort.The feasibility study gauges the impact aproposed event has on traffic and parkingoperations in the vicinity of the venue. Itdetermines if a particular planned specialevent will cause travel problems, where andwhen the problems will occur, and the magnitudeof each identified problem usingvarious MOEs. Initially, the study is conductedwithout roadway capacity improvementsor initiatives to reduce travel demand.Once the feasibility study identifies eventtravel problems, practitioners can take stepsto mitigate transportation system deficiencies.These results define the scope of thetraffic management plan required to successfullymanage travel for a planned specialevent.Travel ForecastTravel forecast analysis involves estimating:(1) modal split, (2) event traffic generation,and (3) traffic arrival rate. Event planningteam stakeholders that typically collaborateon this analysis include a traffic operationsagency, traffic engineering consultant, transitagency, and event organizer.Under the scope of a feasibility study, modalsplit concerns identifying the existing modesof travel event patrons will use to access theevent venue site. Common travel modesinclude personal automobile, public transit,and walking. Public transit refers to scheduledbus transit or commuter rail. Transitagencies may assist in determining a basetransit split, without service incentives orpromotion, for patrons traveling to/from theevent.Table 3-14Summary of Policies and Agreements Applicable to Managing Planned Special EventsITEMEXAMPLE APPLICATIONInteragency agreement • Joint operations policy between stakeholders that establishes a sharedrole regarding event operations planning and day-of-event travel management.• Memorandum of understanding defining stakeholder roles and responsibilities.• Mutual-aid agreement facilitating resource sharing and/or reimbursementfor services.Standard street use event routes • Routes established under the program planning phase for recurring streetuse events such as parades and races.Toll facility congestion policy • Suspension of tolls during periods of heavy congestion.Public-private towing agreement • On-call towing and recovery services during a special event.3-22