Conclusion
The use of ITS helps to ease the congestion and frustration that accompany many planned special events. ITS offer benefits to all types of agencies that host planned special events, from large urban areas that host special events throughout the year to small rural areas that host only one or two events annually. Transportation officials in localities around the country have recognized the important role ITS technologies play in the success of their planned special events. Many of these individuals also recognize that without these technologies, managing the transportation needs of both event attendees and local citizens would be a much more challenging proposition.
A key component to a successful event is not only the integration of different traffic management system components and technologies, but also the integration of the stakeholders themselves into a coordinated and cohesive team. Without a well-established line of communication and a strong sense of coordination among transportation agencies, law enforcement and public safety agencies, emergency responders, event planners, the media, and interested local parties, ITS technologies are simply expensive tools sitting in a toolbox.
No matter the type of event or its size, the most important element is having a well-prepared plan and executing it with the full cooperation of all of the organizations involved.