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

access points provide sufficient service flowrates through proper design. Regardless ofcapacity analysis outcome, pedestrian accommodationand parking management representkey considerations in a planned specialevent traffic management plan.Roadway capacity analysis involves freewaysegments, freeway junctions such as rampsand weaving areas, street segments, signalizedintersections, and unsignalized intersections.To evaluate these facilities, practitionerscan employ one of two approaches: (1)analyze section and point capacity usingHighway Capacity Manual recommendedmethodologies or (2) analyze networkoperations using a computer trafficsimulation model.Mitigation of ImpactsMitigating anticipated planned special eventimpacts on travel represents the ultimategoal of conducting a feasibility study. Themitigation of congestion and potential safetyimpacts identified through a feasibility studyrequires development of a traffic managementplan and complementing travel demandmanagement strategies. In turn, practitionerscan utilize the tools and techniquesused to determine feasibility study results inorder to evaluate various mitigation strategiesand determine if the selected strategiesadequately mitigate identified transportationsystem deficiencies.Table 3-18 lists numerous tools for mitigatingplanned special event impacts on localroadway and regional transportation systemoperations. In meeting the overall travelmanagement goal of achieving efficiency,these tools target utilizing the excess capacityof the roadway system, parking facilities,and transit.Traffic Management PlanA traffic management plan indicates howtraffic, parking, and pedestrian operationswill be managed on the day-of-event. Theplan contains strategies and tactics for mitigatingtravel impacts identified in a plannedspecial event feasibility study analysis. Italso accommodates planned travel demandmanagement initiatives aimed at improvingtransportation system operations on the dayof-event.The scope of a traffic management plan variesfor each planned special event, even forevents happening in the same jurisdiction orregion. Different strategies and tactics aresuccessful in handling different categories ofplanned special events occurring in metropolitan,urban, and rural areas. A successfultraffic management plan satisfies both the:(1) customer requirements of all transportationsystem users and (2) allotted budget forpersonnel and equipment resources assignedto the day-of-event operation.The key components of a traffic managementplan for planned special events include:• Site access and parking plan• Pedestrian access plan• Traffic flow plan• Traffic control plan• En-route traveler information plan• Traffic surveillance plan• Traffic incident management and safetyplanSpecial ConsiderationsThe event planning team must create aflexible traffic management plan that accommodatesmodifications on the day-ofthe-eventas well as special considerations3EVENT PROFILE POST-EVENT ACTIVITIES DAY-OF-EVENT ACTIVITIES ADVANCE PLANNINGOVERVIEW3-27