WTI

FWS Traffic Monitoring Assessment and Demo

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

There are no reports associated with this project.

Project Objective

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the current traffic monitoring practices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and make plans for a series of demonstration projects to test alternative techniques for improving visitor estimation.

Project Abstract

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) conducts traffic monitoring programs to estimate the number of visitors at their refuges and other facilities. However, to date FWS has not conducted an assessment of how effective individual technologies are, or how well suited to their specific needs. FWS needs accurate visitation data to complete annual performance plans (which determine funding allocations), and for the development of management tools, such as a greenhouse gas emission inventory that is currently underway. The purpose of the overall effort is to evaluate FWS’ current traffic monitoring practices, and then to develop a series of demonstration projects to showcase available traffic monitoring technologies, techniques, and methodologies that can be implemented to achieve improved visitor estimation. This project represents Phase I, in which the research team will define the present state of FWS traffic monitoring practices, complete a user needs assessment, provide recommendations for improvements to traffic monitoring practices, and develop implementation plans for the demonstration project. (Phase 2, when implemented, will consist of deploying and evaluating the demonstration projects.)

Task Descriptions

1. Develop Demonstration Projects
   1. The research team will work with FWS and Federal Lands Highway program (FLH) to identify up to three potential FWS refuges to implement various traffic monitoring technologies as a demonstration project. The team will develop a conceptual description of proposed systems and technologies, customized for each individual site.
2. Develop Project Work Plan
   1. The research team will develop a detailed outline of the subsequent tasks. The work plan will serve as a to-do list for each task and guide the team throughout the project.
3. Review and Assess Traffic Monitoring Process
   1. Using the information collected from the previous tasks, researchers will perform an assessment of the FWS Traffic Data Program, and develop recommendations on how to improve data collection methods and better address user needs. In addition, researchers will make recommendations for a demonstration pilot project that will test technologies that support user needs.
4. Final Report and Presentation
   1. The team will develop a final report to summarize the findings, conclusions, and recommendations, and present the results of this project to FWS and FLH.
5. Identify Current and Potential Traffic Data Users and Needs
   1. The research team will identify current and potential users of traffic data within FWS, as well as the types and accuracy of data needed for their specific responsibilities. In addition, the team will identify individual users to serve on a committee that will provide guidance on traffic data needs throughout the project.
6. Project Management
   1. This task covers project management activities, including completion of progress reports and communication with the project sponsor.
7. Define Current FWS Traffic Monitoring Practices
   1. Researchers will develop a compilation report on current traffic monitoring practices, including a description of how traffic data information is collected, how it is used, and how it is managed.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

False

Relationship to Other Research Projects

False

Technology Transfer Activities

True

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Traffic Monitoring technologies, traffic data, visitor estimation

Partners

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)