Reservation Systems
General Description:
Reservations Systems allow motorists to reserve accommodations before they depart while allowing management of the inflow of visitors. Websites and telephone may be used to place reservations. Media sources such as television, radio, 511, and the internet may be used to advertise and market the system to potential visitors.
Effects of Solution:
¨ Increase Passenger Throughput
¨ Increase Roadway Capacity
þ Manage System Efficiency (Improves visitor usage)
þ Reduce Local Demand (Spreads demand of a facility)
Reservation Systems are a form of both supply and demand management. Supply can be controlled through management by only allowing a specific number of visitors at one time, while price can be used to manage the demand on a facility.
Examples of Implementation:
Shenandoah National Park
Douglas K. Morris, Superintendent, Shenandoah National Park
Charles Newton, Park Engineer, Shenandoah National Park
Connie Rudd, Assistant Superintendent, Shenandoah National Park
Cost/Financial Information:
The cost of implementing a reservation system is dependent on the technology used to place the reservations (i.e. website versus telephone), the marketing necessary to inform the public, and the personnel required to manage the system. Other costs may be necessary to enforce reservations.
Additional Resources:
National Park Service Reservation Center web page:
Arizona Bureau of Land Management on-line recreation permits:
http://www.blm.gov/az/arolrsmain.htm