Acadia National Park ITS Field Operational Test: Visitor survey

Daigle, John; Zimmerman, Carrol

From official abstract: "In 2002, as part of the Acadia National Park Field Operational Test, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) components were deployed to help visitors travel around Mount Desert Island and in Acadia National Park. Using data from surveys of visitors from July 29, 2002 to September 1, 2002, this report describes visit and visitor characteristics and their experiences using the traveler information. Information was collected from visitors (actually tourists and a small number of local residents) using two different survey instruments: an on-site interview and a more extensive mail-back questionnaire. A total of 1,278 questionnaires were mailed to visitors. Visitors returned 928 usable questionnaires for a 74 percent response rate. This survey of visitors to Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island confirmed findings of previous studies that the experience was overwhelmingly positive for visitors. In assessing the impact that ITS had on visitors, the evaluation revealed that both users and non-users of the technologies had a pleasant experience and were able to enjoy their stay based on their choice of travel. Yet, when looking at the survey data in more detail, a picture clearly emerges that reveals definite benefits to the ITS users and the potential that ITS offers for both visitors, the Park, and the community of Mount Desert Island at large."

Acadia National Park ITS Field Operational Test: Visitor survey

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