UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Hallo, Jeffrey Charles
Title:
Dept./Program:
Natural Resources
Year:
2007
Degree:
PhD
Abstract:
Since its invention in the late 1800's, the automobile has impacted and transformed many aspects of our society. Among these transformations, vehicles have changed where and how we recreate. For example, personal vehicles are the primary way that most visitors now access and experience national parks. However, few studies have been conducted to examine the experience of vehicle-based park visitors. An understanding of vehicle use as a component of the visitor experience is a prerequisite for high-quality, comprehensive management of national parks. The four papers comprising this dissertation are derived from two studies that examined vehicle use in national parks. These studies were intended to (1) examine vehicle use as a component of the visitor experience in national parks, and (2) apply methods and tools to address management of vehicles, roadways, and vehicle-based visitors in national parks to promote a quality visitor experience. The first study in this dissertation (consisting of two papers) examined the experience of park visitors who use off-road vehicles (ORV) at Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts. On-site qualitative interviews were conducted to determine indicators of quality for the ORV experience. ORV use levels and related perceptions of crowding were indicators that emerged from these interviews. A quantitative survey (based on interview findings) was then used to formulate normative standards for ORV crowding and other selected indicators. Standards for crowding ranged from 12.0 to 33.2 ORVs/tenth of a mile.
The second study examined the experience of vehicle-based visitors on Ocean Drive at Acadia National Park, Maine. For the first part of this study, a computer simulation model of vehicle use on this road was built. The model compared vehicle use levels and patterns against normative standards for vehicle crowding. Use levels and management policies were varied when running the model. The simulation model estimated that the number of vehicles that could use the road without appreciably violating crowding-related standards - depending on which standard is considered - is between 194 and 2,057 vehicleslday under the current management regime and between 1,197 and greater than 2,880 vehicleslday if parking is prohibited on a congested section of the road. The second part of this study gathered data on indicators of quality for visitors who drive for pleasure on Ocean Drive. Qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey were used. Analysis of interview data suggested several indicators of quality for the driving experience: vehicle crowding/congestion; scenic value; and the freedom, convenience, and safety of travel. Analysis of survey data indicated that differences exist in the driving experience on national park scenic roads and on more strictly transportation-oriented urban roads. For example, the scenic value of a road and low speed limits are more important on national park scenic roads. The above program of research makes theoretical, empirical, and managerial contributions to the study of parks, outdoor recreation, and transportation planning. First, it begins to place a needed emphasis on experiential aspects of vehicle use in parks and extends the conventional "visitor experience" concept to include vehicle-based visitors. Second, the research showed that indicators such as crowding are important for the experience of vehicle-based park visitors. Moreover, standards for these indicators can be formulated and used to manage for a quality vehicle-based recreational experience. Third, traditional transportation planning concepts are examined in the context of national parks and "experiential" roads.
The second study examined the experience of vehicle-based visitors on Ocean Drive at Acadia National Park, Maine. For the first part of this study, a computer simulation model of vehicle use on this road was built. The model compared vehicle use levels and patterns against normative standards for vehicle crowding. Use levels and management policies were varied when running the model. The simulation model estimated that the number of vehicles that could use the road without appreciably violating crowding-related standards - depending on which standard is considered - is between 194 and 2,057 vehicleslday under the current management regime and between 1,197 and greater than 2,880 vehicleslday if parking is prohibited on a congested section of the road. The second part of this study gathered data on indicators of quality for visitors who drive for pleasure on Ocean Drive. Qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey were used. Analysis of interview data suggested several indicators of quality for the driving experience: vehicle crowding/congestion; scenic value; and the freedom, convenience, and safety of travel. Analysis of survey data indicated that differences exist in the driving experience on national park scenic roads and on more strictly transportation-oriented urban roads. For example, the scenic value of a road and low speed limits are more important on national park scenic roads. The above program of research makes theoretical, empirical, and managerial contributions to the study of parks, outdoor recreation, and transportation planning. First, it begins to place a needed emphasis on experiential aspects of vehicle use in parks and extends the conventional "visitor experience" concept to include vehicle-based visitors. Second, the research showed that indicators such as crowding are important for the experience of vehicle-based park visitors. Moreover, standards for these indicators can be formulated and used to manage for a quality vehicle-based recreational experience. Third, traditional transportation planning concepts are examined in the context of national parks and "experiential" roads.