Transportation as a Barrier to Visiting National Parks - On-site Survey

OMB Control Number: 1024-0224

Expiration Date: 8/31/2014

Transportation and Visitation to National Parks

2013 Survey

(Onsite)

We are interested in what brought you to this unit of the National Park system. We are also interested in knowing if you have visited several other units of the National Park system and why or why not. Please accept our thanks for taking the time to complete this questionnaire.

The National Park Service manages more than 400 parks and related areas around the country. This survey asks about your visits to some of these areas. These areas include large, well-known national parks such as Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park and smaller, historical and cultural sites and monuments like Statue of Liberty National Monument and Gettysburg National Battlefield.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: The National Park Service is authorized by 16 U.S.C. 1a-7 to collect this information. This information will be used by park managers to understand how current transportation systems are used to facilitate visitor movement, provide for quality visitor experiences. Your response to this request is voluntary and anonymous. No action may be taken against you for refusing to supply the information requested. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

BURDEN ESTIMATE statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to be 15 minutes per response. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this form to: Jennifer_Kovarik@nps.gov (email)

For the purposes of this review and submission the justifications for each question or section of questions is highlighted in a shaded text box above each question. These text boxes will not be printed on the final version of the surveys. The Topic Areas noted match the currently approved pool questions for the NPS Programmatic Review Process (1024-0224 – Current Expiration Date: 8-31-2014). The questions that are slight variations are denoted as such. Any questions that are outside the general scope of the programmatic review process have been carefully discussed and generally approved by the NPS Information Collection Review Coordinator with understanding that that those questions will require further review and consideration by OMB before full determination and approval can be granted.

This collection will be administered on-site at 5 locations: (1) General Grant National Memorial, (2) African Burial Ground National Monument, (3) Fire Island National Seashore, (4) Acadia National Park, and (5) Grand Canyon National Park. The different site will be inserted alternated and replaced in the questions below depending upon the location of the survey.

Topic Area 1: KNOW2

1a. Were you aware that [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME – current sampling location] is managed by the National Park Service? (Check one.)

__ Yes

__ No

Topic Area 1: VISITHIS1

b. Have you visited [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME – current sampling location] before today? (Check one.)

__ Yes

__ No

If YES, about how many times have you visited, including this visit?

______ Number of visits OR _______Don’t know/Not sure

Topic Area 3: TRANS1

We are interested in all of the types of transportation you used to get to the park on this visit. For example, if you walked several blocks to catch a bus to get to the park, you would indicate “walk” and “city bus or subway” below.

c. How did you travel on this visit between your home and [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME – current sampling location]? (Please check all forms of transportation you used.)

__ Car, truck, or SUV

__ Owned/leased

__ Rented

__ Car share program

__ Motorcycle

__ Recreational vehicle or motor home

__ Owned

__ Rented

__ Airplane

__ Tour bus or tour van

__ City bus or subway

__ Train or long-distance passenger bus

__ Ferry

__ Cruise ship

__ Walk (more than 15 minutes at one time)

__ Bike

__ Any other means of transportation

(Please specify: ___________________________________________)

Topic Area 4: PREF1 (variation)

2. Thinking about your most recent visits to an area managed by the National Park Service (including today’s visit to [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME – current sampling location]), how much have the following experiences added to your enjoyment? (Circle one number for each of the following experiences.)

	Added nothing to my enjoyment	Added very little to my enjoyment	Added pretty much to my enjoyment	Added a lot to my enjoyment
Learning more about history and culture	1	2	3	4
Learning more about nature	1	2	3	4
Getting exercise	1	2	3	4
Getting away from the noise back home	1	2	3	4
Getting away from the bright lights back home	1	2	3	4
Seeing distant or unobstructed views	1	2	3	4
Hearing the sounds of nature	1	2	3	4
Relaxing physically	1	2	3	4
Viewing the sights of nature	1	2	3	4

Topic Area 3: ACT3

3a. On your most recent visit(s) to areas managed by the National Park Service, did you or any members of your personal group participate in any of the following in the park(s)? (Check all of the following that you or any members of your personal group participated in.)

__ Hiking or jogging

__ Biking

__ Viewing or photographing animals or plants

__ Snow sports, such as skiing, snowmobiling, or sledding

__ Water activities, such as swimming or boating

b. On your most recent visit(s) to areas managed by the National Park Service, did you or any members of your personal group use any of the following programs or services? (Check all of the following programs or services you or any members of your personal group used.)

__ Attend a ranger-led activity, such as a tour or talk

__ Talk informally with a ranger

__ View outdoor exhibits

__ View indoor exhibits

__ Attend a cultural demonstration or performance

__ Read the park brochure or newsletter

__ Go to the visitor center

__ Watch movies or videos about the park

__ Have any involvement with the Junior Ranger Program

Topic Area1: VISITHIS 1 (variation)

Questions 4 through 7 ask you about several areas managed by the National Park Service that you may have visited in the past. For each area you visited, we would like to know all of the types of transportation you used to get to the park on your most recent visit. For example, if you walked several blocks to catch a bus to get to the park, you would indicate “walk” and “city bus or subway” below.

4a. Have you ever visited [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME] managed by the National Park Service?

__ Yes

__ No (Skip to question 5)

Topic Area 3: TRANS1

b. On your last visit to [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME], how did you travel from your home to [INSERT LOCATION] and back again? (Please check all forms of transportation you used.)

__ Car, truck, or SUV

__ Owned/leased

__ Rented

__ Car share program

__ Motorcycle

__ Recreational vehicle or motor home

__ Owned

__ Rented

__ Airplane

__ Tour bus or tour van

__ City bus or subway

__ Train or long-distance passenger bus

__ Ferry

__ Cruise ship

__ Walk (more than 15 minutes at one time)

__ Bike

__ Any other means of transportation

(Please specify: ___________________________________________)

Topic Area1: VISITHIS 1 Variation

5a. Have you ever visited [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME] that is managed by the National Park Service)?

__ Yes

__ No (Please skip to question 6)

Topic Area 3: TRANS1

b. On your last visit to [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME], how did you travel from your home to [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME] and back again? (Please check all forms of transportation you used.)

__ Car, truck, or SUV

__ Owned/leased

__ Rented

__ Car share program

__ Motorcycle

__ Recreational vehicle or motor home

__ Owned

__ Rented

__ Airplane

__ Tour bus or tour van

__ City bus or subway

__ Train or long-distance passenger bus

__ Ferry

__ Cruise ship

__ Walk (more than 15 minutes at one time)

__ Bike

__ Any other means of transportation

(Please specify: ___________________________________________)

Topic Area1: VISITHIS 1 Variation

6a. Have you ever visited [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME] managed by the National Park Service)?

__ Yes

__ No (Please skip to question 7)

Topic Area 3: TRANS1

b. On your last visit to [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME], how did you travel from your home to [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME]? (Please check all forms of transportation you used.)

__ Car, truck, or SUV

__ Owned/leased

__ Rented

__ Car share program

__ Motorcycle

__ Recreational vehicle or motor home

__ Owned

__ Rented

__ Airplane

__ Tour bus or tour van

__ City bus or subway

__ Train or long-distance passenger bus

__ Ferry

__ Cruise ship

__ Walk (more than 15 minutes at one time)

__ Bike

__ Any other means of transportation

(Please specify: ___________________________________________)

Topic Area1: VISITHIS 1 (variation)

7a. Have you ever visited [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME] managed by the National Park Service)?

__ Yes

__ No (Skip to question 8)

Topic Area 3: TRANS1

b. On your last trip to [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME], how did you travel from your home to [INSERT SPECIFIC PARK NAME]? (Please check all forms of transportation you used.)

__ Car, truck, or SUV

__ Owned/leased

__ Rented

__ Car share program

__ Motorcycle

__ Recreational vehicle or motor home

__ Owned

__ Rented

__ Airplane

__ Tour bus or tour van

__ City bus or subway

__ Train or long-distance passenger bus

__ Ferry

__ Cruise ship

__ Walk (more than 15 minutes at one time)

__ Bike

__ Any other means of transportation

(Please specify: ___________________________________________)

Topic Area 4: TpB1

8. Please tell us why you have not visited areas managed by the National Park Service more often? (Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements below).

I have not visited areas managed by the National Park Service more often because:	Strongly disagree	Somewhat disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Somewhat agree	Strongly agree
Entrance fees are too high	1	2	3	4	5
Lodging costs are too high	1	2	3	4	5
Food costs are too high	1	2	3	4	5
Transportation costs getting to the park are too high	1	2	3	4	5
Overall, it is too expensive to visit areas managed by the National Park Service	1	2	3	4	5
National Park Service areas are not safe places to visit	1	2	3	4	5
It takes too long to get to National Park Service areas	1	2	3	4	5
National Park Service areas are too crowded	1	2	3	4	5
It is difficult to find a parking space in National Park Service areas	1	2	3	4	5
National Park Service areas are not accessible to persons with physical disabilities	1	2	3	4	5
I am physically unable to visit National Park System areas	1	2	3	4	5
I just don’t know that much about National Park Service areas	1	2	3	4	5
Reservations at National Park Service areas have to be made too far in advance	1	2	3	4	5
National Park Service employees give poor service to visitors	1	2	3	4	5
National Park Service areas are unpleasant places for me to be	1	2	3	4	5
There isn’t enough information available about what to do at National Park Service areas	1	2	3	4	5
I prefer to spend my free time doing electronic activities, like watching videos, enjoying computer games, or surfing the Internet	1	2	3	4	5
I don’t have enough time to visit National Park System areas	1	2	3	4	5
I don’t have anyone to visit National Park Service areas with	1	2	3	4	5
I prefer to visit other places in my free time	1	2	3	4	5
Getting to National Park Service areas is too difficult	1	2	3	4	5
Travel within National Park Service areas is too difficult	1	2	3	4	5
I just don’t like to visit National Park Service areas	1	2	3	4	5
I don’t feel welcome in National Park Service areas because of who I am	1	2	3	4	5
I don’t feel comfortable visiting National Park Service areas because I’m afraid of wild animals	1	2	3	4	5
My friends and family don’t like to visit National Park Service areas	1	2	3	4	5

Topic Area 1: VISITHIS 1 (variation)

9. Did you ever visit National Park Service areas with parents or friends as a child? (Check one.)

__ Yes, frequently

__ Yes, sometimes

__ Yes, but very seldom

__ No, never

Topic Area 4: PREF1 (variation)

10. Please indicate how comfortable you feel around the following. (Circle one number of each item.)

	Not at all comfortable	Somewhat comfortable	Pretty comfortable	Very comfortable	Extremely comfortable
Other visitors to National Park Service areas	1	2	3	4	5
National Park Service uniformed rangers	1	2	3	4	5
The communities traveled through to get to and from National Park Service areas	1	2	3	4	5
The communities near National Park Service areas	1	2	3	4	5
Other riders on public transit (e.g. shuttle buses, ferries) in National Park Service areas	1	2	3	4	5

Topic Area 1: VISITHIS (variation)

11. In the past two years, have you taken any overnight vacation trips away from home?

__ Yes

__ No (Skip to question 13)

Topic Area 1: VISITHIS (variation)

12. Please indicate what kinds of vacation trips you like to take when you spend at least one night away from home. (Circle one number for each of the following types of vacation trips.)

	Don’t like this at all	Like it a little	Like it pretty much	Like it a lot
A trip to visit friends or relatives	1	2	3	4
A trip to a sporting event (e.g., football game, horse racing)	1	2	3	4
A trip to a theme park (e.g., Disney, Six Flags)	1	2	3	4
A trip to experience art, music, or other cultural activities	1	2	3	4
A trip to experience nature	1	2	3	4
A trip to participate in outdoor recreation (e.g., hiking, camping)	1	2	3	4
A trip to see historical places or exhibits	1	2	3	4
A trip to a casino or other gaming place	1	2	3	4
A trip to another country	1	2	3	4
A trip to a spa or resort	1	2	3	4
A trip on a cruise ship	1	2	3	4
A trip to participate in sports (e.g., golf, tennis)	1	2	3	4

Topic Area 3: FVIS3 (variation)

13. To what extent would the following make you more likely to visit National Park Service areas? (Circle one number for each item.)

	No more likely	More likely	Much more likely
Faster means of transportation to and from parks	1	2	3
Less expensive means of transportation to and from parks	1	2	3
More/better forms of public transportation (e.g., buses) to and from parks	1	2	3
More/better forms of public transportation (e.g., shuttle buses) within parks	1	2	3
More opportunities to walk and bike within parks	1	2	3
More opportunities to walk and bike to and from parks	1	2	3
More information (brochures, maps, on-line, apps) about parks	1	2	3
More information (brochures, maps, on-line, apps) about transportation to and from parks	1	2	3
More parking at parks	1	2	3

Topic Area 3: TRANS (New question)

14a. Do you own/lease an automobile? (Check one.)

__ Yes

__ No

b. Do you own a bicycle? (Check one.)

__ Yes

__ No

Topic Area 4: TpB1

15. Please rate the desirability of the following items for driving in areas managed by the National Park Service. (Circle one number for each item.)

	Very Undesirable	Undesirable	Neither	Desirable	Very Desirable
Ability to get from one place to another quickly	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Scenic views	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Limited development (houses, businesses) along the road	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Access to recreation/tourism attractions	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Access to local businesses	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Access to rest areas/restrooms	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Scenic overlooks/pull-offs	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Signs for tourist attractions, commercial services	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Being close to “civilization” (i.e., access to roadside assistance, local businesses)	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
More than two lanes of road	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Smooth pavement	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Hilliness/curviness of road	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Low speed limit (to slow traffic)	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
High speed limit (to speed up traffic)	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Ability to maintain a constant speed	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Adequate spacing between vehicles	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
A predictable travel time	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Seeing wildlife	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Ability to maneuver as you drive (change lanes, slow/stop)	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Infrequent accidents	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Divided roadway (center median/barrier)	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Wide road shoulder	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Absence of road construction	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Absence of “aggressive drivers”	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Limited intersections/merging traffic	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Few vehicles on the road	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Limited traffic noise	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Access to gas stations	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Guard rails along the road	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Frequent police/safety patrols	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Lack of litter	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Lack of graffiti	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Good weather/driving conditions	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Adequate signage and wayfinding	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Adequate road maintenance	-2	-1	0	+1	+2

Topic Area 3: TpB1

16. Please rate the desirability of the following items for riding a shuttle bus in areas managed by the National Park Service. (Circle one number for each item.)

	Very Undesirable	Undesirable	Neither	Desirable	Very Desirable
Having the opportunity to see more scenic views	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Having the opportunities to take photographs
Having access to facilities and services like visitor centers and shops	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Having access to recreational facilities like trails and scenic vistas	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Traveling in a way that minimizes impact on the park’s natural and cultural resources	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Hearing interpretive announcements while riding a shuttle bus	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Being able to access the park’s highlights via a shuttle bus	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Having a shuttle bus take me between stops by the quickest route possible	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Having a shuttle bus take me between stops by the most scenic route possible	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Having a shuttle bus operate at a relaxed pace	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Having plenty of room on a shuttle bus	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Waiting with a crowd of other visitors at shuttle bus stops	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Waiting in a line to get on or off a shuttle bus	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Limited development (buildings, parking lots, etc.) along the route	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Shuttle bus riders acting in a polite and courteous manner toward one another	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Being able to ask questions of the bus driver or ranger	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Hearing the park’s outside, natural sounds from within the shuttle bus	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
The shuttle bus arrives at stops frequently	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
The shuttle bus arrives at stops on schedule	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
The shuttle bus’ ride is smooth	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
The shuttle bus provides a ride that is quiet	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Visitors are able to move around freely inside the shuttle bus	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Participating in a form of transportation that is “better” for the environment	-2	-1	0	+1	+2

Topic Area 3: TpB1

17. Please rate how desirable each of the following items would be if you were riding a bicycle in areas managed by the National Park Service. (Select one number for each item.)

	Very Undesirable	Undesirable	Neither	Desirable	Very Desirable
Having the opportunity to see more scenic views	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Having the opportunities to take photographs	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Having the opportunity to see wildlife	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Having access to bicycle parking	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Having access to local businesses	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Having access to recreation/tourism attractions	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
A smooth riding surface	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Hills	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Curves	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Being away from motorized forms of transportation	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
A wide lane to ride in	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Presence of defined travel lanes (i.e., center stripe)	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Presence of lane designated for bike use only	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Presence of lane designated for pedestrian use only	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Scenic overlooks/pull offs	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Participating in a healthy form of transportation/recreation	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Participating in a quiet form of transportation/recreation	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Participating in a form of transportation/recreation that is integrated into a natural setting	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Participating in a form of transportation/recreation that is “better” for the environment	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Signs for tourist attractions/commercial services	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Mile marker signs	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Frequent police/safety patrols	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Presence of trash cans	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Being close to roads/motorized vehicles	-2	-1	0	+1	+2
Few people are encountered	-2	-1	0	+1	+2

The last few questions are about you and will help us better understand visitor to areas managed by the National Park Service.

Topic Area 1: GR3

18a. How many people are in your personal group today, including you?

Number of people _________

Topic Area 1: GR1

b. On this visit, what kind of personal group (not guided tour/school group) were you with? (Check one.)

__ Alone

__ Family

__ Friends

__ Family and friends

__ Other (Please specify) ___________________________________________________

Topic Area 1: GEND1

19. What is your gender?

__ Male

__ Female

Topic Area 1: AGE2

20. In what year were you born? _________

Topic Area 1: RES3

21. Do you live in the United States?

__ Yes (What is your Zip Code? ______________)

__ No (What country do you live in? _____________________________________)

Topic Area 7: ECON1b variation

22. How many people currently live in your household?

_________Adults _________Children (under the age of 18)

Topic Area 1: ED2

23. What is the highest level of formal education you have completed? (Select one.)

__ Less than high school

__ Some high school

__ High school graduate or GED certificate

__ Vocational/trade school certificate

__ Some college

__ Two-year college degree

__ Four-year college degree

__ Some graduate school

__ Master’s Degree

__ Ph.D, M.D., J.D., or equivalent

Topic Area 1: RACE/ETH2

24. Are you Hispanic or Latino? (Check one.)

__ Yes __ No

Topic Area Topic Area 1: RACE/ETH4

25. Which of following best describes your race? (Check one or more.)

__ American Indian or Alaska Native

__ Asian

__ Black or African American

__ Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

__ White

Topic Area 7:ECON1

26. Which category best represents your annual household income? (Check one.)

__ Less than $24,999 __ $25,000 to $34,999 __ $35,000 to $49,999 __ $50,000 to $74,999

__ $75,000 to $99,999 __ $100,000 to $149,999 __ $150,000 to $199,999 __ $200,000 or more

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