4.3.1 Planned Special Events may have an
indirect impact on the transportation system based on the number of event
participants or attendees. Events that have indirect impacts on the
transportation system include concerts, sporting events, fairs/carnivals and
other events that attract large crowds of people. While these events may not
require the closure of roads or lanes, they do create an impact to existing
traffic due to the increased traffic volumes (vehicular and/or pedestrian
volumes) that are experienced, sometimes on roadways that are not designed for
the increased traffic or pedestrians. To mitigate these impacts, it is
necessary to develop a Transportation Operations Plan to determine how traffic
will be managed when patrons are arriving at or leaving the event and how the
event traffic will interact with existing traffic. If in addition, to having
indirect impacts on the transportation system, the event requires the closure
of roadways or lanes, please refer to the previous section for additional
information.
4.3.2 The development
of the Transportation Operations Plan will typically be completed by DelDOT's
Traffic Operations and Management Special Events Section with input provided by
Safety and Transportation Management Center staff and the event organizer.
DelDOT and the event organizer will also meet with the state police to discuss
the plan. If the event is within the limits of a municipality, DelDOT and the
event organizer will also meet with the local police and other local
authorities having jurisdiction. The following items are typically reviewed and
determined during the plan development:
4.3.2.1 Location of event, event parking and
entrances/exits to/from the event area.
4.3.2.2 Roadways surrounding the event area
and expected road closures
4.3.2.3
Locations for traffic control points during entry and exit
4.3.2.4 Locations for parking payment,
credential checks, etc.
4.3.2.5
Lane closures to accommodate entry and exit maneuvers from the event area to
minimize impacts to existing traffic and to allow for free flow
movements.
4.3.2.6 Pedestrian
movements around the event area to provide reasonably safe pedestrian
passage
4.3.2.7 Locations for
portable changeable message signs to direct road users to and around the
event.
4.3.2.8 Locations for
traffic management devices such as portable traffic cameras, portable detection
units, etc.
4.3.3 The
planning process for these types of events needs to start early in order to
ensure a smooth event. The event organizer shall submit the Special Event
Permit Application to DelDOT no fewer than 90 days prior to the beginning of
the event. Once the permit is received by DelDOT, a meeting will be scheduled
with the event organizer and other applicable parties to discuss the event and
any operational concerns. This meeting will be scheduled eight (8) weeks prior
to the event date. The final transportation operations plan, with approved
permit, will be completed four (4) weeks prior to the event date. The
Transportation Operations Plan will include locations of all devices necessary
to carry out the plan, including locations of all lane or roadway closures that
may be necessary to facilitate event traffic around the event
area.