Subsector: Transit
Special Event Transportation
VMT Reduction Potential: 2
Cost: 3
ROI: 2
TAM Relevancy: 2
Land Use Content: Urban, Suburban
Trip Type: Recreation
Scale: Community, Site
Timing: Short Term (1-3 years)
Implementors-Private: Event / Entertainment Venues, Hospitality Businesses
Implementors-Public: Municipalities, Regional Agencies
Eligibility Status: Victoria Transport Institute Online TDM Encyclopedia, FHWA Event Traffic Management Guidelines; LA Metro Special Events Toolkit; City of Indio Special Events Mobility Plan
Eligibility Status: Feasible, Currently Exist, Implementable/Expandable

Description

Providing shuttles has a large impact on trips generated by events or entertainment venues which alleviates the need for parking at the venue, reduces congestion, and can make the experience much smoother. This strategy is most effective when regional agency staff time is provided to coordinate with venues and ensure resources are in place to maintain the shuttle service. Typically shuttle service for private venues are operated by private vendors rather than public transit providers as public agencies must provide services that are open to the public. However, subsidized micro-transit services to large hospitality or tourist venues can also provide employees with additional options for mobility other than single occupancy vehicles.

Implementation Details

  • Expand event-specific traffic control and shuttle access plans for festivals and civic gatherings in coordination with private mobility service providers, Marin Transit, municipalities, and local law enforcement.
  • Work with entertainment venues to establish regular shuttle service.
  • Establish designated remote park-and-ride lots with bike valet and shuttle service during events to reduce vehicle congestion.
  • Launch pre-registration platforms to gauge demand and ensure capacity planning.
  • Use multilingual digital signage and geofenced social media ads to promote active transportation options to and from event venues.

Mitigation Potential

This strategy primarily addresses VMT generated by the tourism and entertainment industry.

For more details, see Victoria Transport Policy Institute – Special Event Transport Management for VMT reduction quantification.

Linked Strategies

Equity Considerations

Ensure multilingual digital materials and pre-registration tools are accessible to non-English speakers and users without smartphones. Partnering with community-based organizations ensures outreach reaches marginalized groups. Providing shuttle access and bike valet to off-site lots can improve access for people without cars or with mobility constraints, especially during high-attendance events.

Funding Sources

Staff time is required to coordinate with hotels, resorts, casinos, event venues and visitor destinations. Additionally, private businesses are more likely to provide shuttles if there is a subsidy or funding to support the program.

Implemented in TAM Area

TDM Benefit Locations

Hotels, private businesses, and employers can provide shared mobility options for special events at their locations or for their guests and employees.