Grand Canyon National Park Dynamic Message Sign (DMS)/Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) Pilot Deployment/Evaluation

摘要

During the summer of 2008, a pilot shuttle bus program was implemented from Tusayan, Arizona, to the Canyon View Information Plaza in Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA). The program offered visitors an opportunity for car-free travel to the park. As part of the pilot shuttle bus program, a traveler information system was deployed that included Portable Dynamic Message Signs (PDMS), Highway Advisory Radio (HAR), and HAR static signs in the cities of Valle and Tusayan. The Concept of Operations for the devices was for the HAR and PDMS to function in tandem with the purpose of increasing the influence on visitors' mode choices, increasing transit usage, improving parking management, alleviating traffic congestion at the South Entrance, and improving visitor experience through better dissemination of traveler information. An Operations Plan was created to: Establish procedures for using the PDMS/HAR systems; Outline the protocols required for the design, implementation, maintenance, and administration of the PDMS/HAR Systems; and Develop data collection plans and evaluation methods for the PDMS/HAR systems. In order to learn from the traveler information system pilot study, an evaluation of the traveler information system was conducted that included three components: mode choice analysis, visitor surveys and focus groups. The specifics and findings are contained in the report.