Evaluating Glacier National Park's 2021 Ticketed Entry System
Cote B, Bonofiglio K, Showan C, Murray C, Laber J. 2021. Evaluating Glacier National Park's 2021 Ticketed Entry System. E-project-101221-165801. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Increased visitation in national parks has led to road and trail congestion, a decrease in overall visitor experience, and damage to some of the country’s most treasured natural areas. National parks have developed many methods to both measure and mitigate visitor congestion. We evaluated the effectiveness of Glacier National Park’s pilot Ticketed Entry System by interviewing park rangers and using a big data analysis platform, Streetlight Data, which allowed for analysis not available through traditional congestion measurement methods. Based on our results, we developed recommendations that aim to continue to smooth surges of visitor entries, maintain lower levels of main road congestion, and ensure the park remains accessible for all user groups in the future.