Monitoring visitor capacity for Acadia National Park carriage roads, 2013: Crowding and behaviors

Jacobi, Charles

From executive summary: "In 2012, we determined that increases in carriage road use reported since 2006 are likely the result of the introduction of the Bicycle Express route to Eagle Lake that year, and thus the accuracy of reported use data since then is suspect. Nevertheless, we analyze the 2013 data and report it with this understanding. Because of this, a new set of censuses and regression equation are needed and are planned for 2014. In our 2014 report, we will apply the new more applicable regression equation to data from 2006 forward. Monitoring in 2013 again confirmed the previously reported statistically significant trend of increasing use since 2004. Estimated daily carriage road visitation in 2013 never exceeded 3,000 visitors per day, though there were three days over 2,900. Exceeding 3,000 visitors per day has happened only eight times, on one day each in August of2000, 2008, 2010, and 2012, and on four days in 2011, two of which exceeded 3,000 visitors per day with the 80% confidence level test. Sixteen days of plus 3,000 visitation meeting the 80% confidence level test are required before standards are violated. Therefore, PPV standards;!for crowding (3,000/day) were not violated in 2013. Mean daily carriage road visitation in July 2013 was the highest we have seen and almost identical to 2012, with an estimated 1,909 +/- 133 visitors (90% confidence interval). There were 55,363 estimated visits. Mean daily carriage road visitation in August 2013 was second only to 2010 with an estimated 2,180 +/- 150 visitors (90% confidence interval). There were 65,386 estimated visits. This was the fifth time in the past six years mean daily use was greater than 2,000. For the past eight years mean daily use in August has been greater than 1,900, and these eight means are all considerably higher than most of the ten years before. There were no violations and only two close approaches to behavior standards in the Low Use Zone and no violations or close approaches in the High Use Zone. Therefore, behavior standards were not violated in 2013. Based on the monitoring results in 2013, the park must continue to emphasize carriage road education annually and at every opportunity: - seasonal park staff should be trained about courtesy guidelines and communicate them to visitors at every opportunity; - local bike shops should be urged to continue their courtesy guidelines education for bike rental customers; - courtesy guidelines should be posted prominently in the park visitor center and other contact areas; - the presence of interpretation and visitor protection staff on the carriage roads should be continued at the highest level possible; - reviving the volunteer bike patrol could also be considered."

Monitoring visitor capacity for Acadia National Park carriage roads, 2013: Crowding and behaviors

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