Two Short Travel Surveys

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Social Science Program

Expedited Approval for NPS- Sponsored Public Surveys
1.

Project Title ⎢
Submission Date:

2.

Abstract:

Yellowstone National Park Traveler Information and Transit Needs
Survey

10/27/2009

The Western Transportation Institute-Montana State University is working with Yellowstone
National Park to determine traveler information and transit needs along the US 89 corridor
from Livingston to Gardiner, Montana. The survey goals are: 1) find important aspects and
primary sources of trip planning information; 2) assess the effectiveness of implemented
traveler information technology; 3) discover the preferred distance (time) where traveler
information is useful; and 4) discover visitors’ perceptions about the need for public
transportation.
(not to exceed 150 words)

3.

Principal Investigator Contact Information
First Name:
Title:
Affiliation:
Street Address:
City:

Last Name:

David

Kack

Program Manager, Mobility & Public Transportation
Western Transportation Institute, Montana State University
2327 University Way
State:

Bozeman

Phone:

406-994-7526

Email:

[email protected]

Zip code:

MT
Fax:

59715

406-994-1697

Park or Program Liaison Contact Information

4.

First Name:
Title:

Landscape Architect

Park:

Yellowstone National Park

Park
Office/Division:
Street Address:
City:

Last Name:

Michael J.

Maintenance Division

PO Box 168

Yellowstone National Park

State:

Phone:

307-344-2017

Email:

[email protected]

WY

Fax:

Project Information
5.

Angermeier

Park(s) For Which Research
is to be Conducted:

Yellowstone National Park

Zip code:

82190

6.

Survey Dates:

7.

Type of Information Collection Instrument (Check ALL that Apply)

8.

‰

Mail- Back
Questionnaire

‰

Other (explain)
Survey Justification:
(Use as much space as
needed; if necessary
include additional
explanation on a
separate page.)

06/19/2010

9

(mm/dd/yyyy)
(mm/dd/yyyy)

On- Site
Questionnaire

‰

to
to

Face- toFace
Interview

07/18/2010

‰

(mm/dd/yyyy)
(mm/dd/yyyy)

Telephone
Survey

‰

Focus
Groups

Social science research in support of park planning and management is mandated in
the NPS Management Policies 2006 (Section 8.11.1, “Social Science Studies”). The
NPS pursues a policy that facilitates social science studies in support of the NPS
mission to protect resources and enhance the enjoyment of present and future
generations (National Park Service Act of 1916, 38 Stat 535, 16 USC 1, et seq.).
NPS policy mandates that social science research will be used to provide an
understanding of park visitors, the non-visiting public, gateway communities and
regions, and human interactions with park resources. Such studies are needed to
provide a scientific basis for park planning, development, operations, management,
education, and interpretive activities.
This survey is part of a larger research effort to determine the usefulness of
providing traveler information to visitors accessing Yellowstone National Park by
way of the US 89 corridor which runs from Livingston, Montana to the Gardiner,
Montana entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The survey will also be used to
determine visitors’ attitudes regarding the need for public transportation (transit)
along the US 89 corridor and in Yellowstone National Park. The information gained
from the visitor survey will be used along with other data collected, such as visitor
counts. The end result will be an evaluation of the deployed Intelligent
Transportation System infrastructure for traveler information along the US 89
corridor and in and around the park.
Literature Review: The Yellowstone Traveler Information and Transit Needs Survey
is needed to address previously unanswered questions concerning traveler
information and transit issues in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Prior to this
proposed study, two Visitor Services Project (VSP) surveys have been conducted in
YNP in the last 15 years: one during February 19951 and another in July 20062.
These surveys included few questions on transportation services and contained no
sections focused specifically on the U.S. 89 corridor. In terms of transit and traveler
information issues covered in the former surveys, the 1995 study included questions
which asked respondents to comment on the quality of informational and directional
signs. The 2006 survey addressed the adequacy of directional signs on interstates,
highways, and developed areas of the park and included a section on how
information was obtained about the park prior to the visit. Neither study addressed
the potential of an integrated 511 system, the use of YNP radio broadcasts on the
AM frequency, or public transportation options to enter the park.

9.

Survey Methodology: (Use
as much space as needed;
if necessary include
additional explanation on
a separate page.)

(a) Respondent universe: Visitors/travelers (age 16 and older) entering
Yellowstone National Park through the Gardiner, MT entrance during the
sampling period. Only individual vehicles (not tour or other buses) will be
surveyed.
(b) Sampling plan/procedures: The survey will be conducted in the months of June
and July at the Gardiner, MT entrance to Yellowstone. A total of four days
during each month will be randomly selected as survey days. At least one
Saturday will be included as a survey day in each month. Each 8-hour survey
day (including a 1-hour break) will also be randomly selected to have the

survey period begin in either the morning (at 8:00 a.m.) or in the afternoon (at
1:00 p.m.). The first vehicle to enter the park at the beginning of the sampling
day will be sampled and every 4th vehicle thereafter until the end of the
sampling period has been reached. (The sampling interval may be adjusted to
reflect actual traffic volume.) Vehicles that pass through the entrance station
while an interview is taking place will not be counted in the sampling interval.
If a visitor refuses to participate, he/she will be replaced by the next vehicle to
pass through the entrance. The driver will be asked to complete the survey, but
will be told that he/she can consult with passengers in the car when answering
individual questions. The following script will be used when inviting
participation in the survey:
Good (morning/afternoon/evening), we are conducting a survey to determine
the usefulness of traveler information and interest from visitors to Yellowstone
National Park in having a public transportation/transit/bus service to and within
the park. Would you be willing to take approximately 3 minutes to participate
in our survey today? Your responses are voluntary and anonymous.
If YES: We would like you as the driver to complete the survey, but you can
consult with other people in the car when answering questions.
If NO: May I ask you one short question?
If YES: Is this your first visit to Yellowstone National Park?.
If NO: Thank you. Have a good trip.
(c) Instrument administration: Staff from the Western Transportation Institute will
ask visitors to participate in the survey, and will then hand a survey and
clipboard to the driver of the vehicle. The staff member will wait to receive the
completed survey from the driver and will be available to answer any questions
the respondent may have about specific survey items.
(d) Expected response rate/confidence levels: Based on Western Transportation
Institute’s survey at the nearby Grand Teton National Park in 2007 (OMB #
1024-0224 NPS 07-043), the expected response rate is 70 percent. A total of
385 completed surveys out of 550 distributed surveys are needed to achieve a
confidence level of 95 percent with a confidence interval of +/- 5 percent.
(e) Strategies for dealing with potential non-response bias: If a visitor refuses to be
participate in the survey, the interviewer will attempt to hold the vehicle long
enough to ask one question that relates directly to travel information needs: “Is
this your first visit to Yellowstone National Park?” The yes-no answer (or
refusal) will be entered on a survey log that records the disposition of every
contact. In addition, interviewers will attempt to observe the number of
passengers in each vehicle and record this in the log. Based on this information,
a non-response bias analysis will be completed and the results will be reported.
Any implications for interpreting the results will be discussed.
(f) Description of any pre-testing and peer review of the methods and/or instrument
(recommended): The questionnaire and study methods have received an
internal review from both the Western Transportation Institute and Yellowstone
National Park, and is similar to previous transportation surveys used in national
parks.

10.

Total Number of
Initial Contacts |
Expected Respondents:

13.

Reporting Plan:

550

385

11.

Estimated Time to
Complete Initial
Contact |
Instrument (mins.):

1.0

3.0

12.

Total
Burden
Hours:

28

The responses to the survey will be analyzed to determine overall results. General
analysis will include mean scores, medians, modes, and standard deviations. The
results, together with the park’s public use counts, will be included in a final report
to Yellowstone National Park. A copy of the final report will be archived with the
Social Science Studies Collection in Washington, D.C.

Literature Review Documents
1. Visitor Services Project: Yellowstone National Park Visitor Study. Margaret Littlejohn. Report 75. February 1996.
2. Yellowstone National Park Visitor Study. Summer 2006. Park Studies Unit. Visitor Services Project. Report 178. June
2007.

SURVEY LOG
Date:

Weather:

Good (morning/afternoon/evening).
Hi, my name is ________________. I’m from _________.
We are conducting a survey to determine the usefulness of traveler
information and interest from visitors to Yellowstone National Park in having
a public transportation/transit/bus service to and within the park.
Would you be willing to take approximately 3 minutes to participate in
our survey today? Your responses are voluntary and anonymous.

Sampling site: Gardiner entrance
If YES: We would like you as the driver to complete the survey,
but you can consult with other people in the car when answering
questions.
If NO: Thank you. May I ask you one short question?
If YES: Is this your first visit to Yellowstone National Park?
If NO: Have a good trip.

Interviewer
Interval (every Time
initials, start & nth group)
stop times,
breaks

TOTALS

Already Refuse Q. ID
rec'd Q.
√
number
√

First visit?
(Mark “R” for refusal)

# in vehicle
(Mark “?” if
unable to
observe)

COMMENTS: explain reason for refusal

Yellowstone National Park Traveler Information and Transit Survey
The Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University is administering this survey on behalf of Yellowstone
National Park in order to determine opinions related to traveler information systems and public transportation.
Participation in the survey is strictly voluntary.*
1.

How important are the following traveler information items for determining your route to, and the sites you
plan to visit, in Yellowstone National Park? [2. variation TPLAN21]

Information on . . .

Road/Weather Conditions
Occurrence of Hazard/Accident
Road Construction
Campground/Lodging
Availability in the Park
2.

Very
Important

Important

Somewhat
Important

Neutral

Somewhat
Unimportant

Unimportant

Very
Unimportant

□
□
□
□

□
□
□
□

□
□
□
□

□
□
□
□

□
□
□
□

□
□
□
□

□
□
□
□

Which direction were you traveling from prior to merging onto US 89 South at Livingston? (see map) [3.
TRIPC3]

West (Bozeman/Butte)

East (Big Timber/Billings)

Other (specify) __________________________

3. How useful would it be to you if you could receive information related to Yellowstone National Park by calling
511 from the following distances (times)? [Topic Area 5 – Individual Evaluations of Park Services]

30 miles (25 minutes) from the park entrance
60 miles (50 minutes) from Livingston (I-90)
90 miles (1.5 hours) from Bozeman or Big Timber
170 miles (3 hours) from Butte(I-15) or Billings (I-25)
4. Is there a working cell phone in your
vehicle?
5.

□Yes

Extremely
Useful

Very
Useful

Moderately
Useful

Somewhat
Useful

Not at all
Useful

□
□
□
□

□
□
□
□

□
□
□
□

□
□
□
□

□
□
□
□

□No [Topic 1–Individual Characteristics]

Have you or any member of your group ever used any of the following traveler information systems through
cell-phone or radio, or at Traveler Information Kiosks? Traveler Information Kiosks may be located at rest
areas, local businesses, local chambers of commerce, etc. (Check all you have used.) [Topic Area 3 - Individual
Activities and Uses of Park Resources]

□ 511 traveler
information number

□ Highway
advisory radio

□Computer
at Kiosk

□Touch
□Telephone □Brochure
Screen at Kiosk at Kiosk
& Maps at Kiosk

6. How useful would it be to you if public transportation (transit) were available… [Topic Area 5 – Individual
Evaluations of Park Services]

From Livingston to Gardiner
From the Bozeman Airport to Gardiner
Within Yellowstone National Park

Extremely
Useful

Very
Useful

Moderately
Useful

Somewhat
Useful

Not at all
Useful

□
□
□

□
□
□

□
□
□

□
□
□

□
□
□

7. Did you see the sign prior to Gardiner which noted, “For Yellowstone Park Information Tune to 1610 AM”?
[3. variation LEARN6]

□ Yes (go to Question 8)

□ No (go to Question 10)

Did you tune into 1610 AM (the Yellowstone Park Information broadcast)? [6. variation EVALSERV21]
□ Yes (go to Question 9)

□ No (go to Question 10)

8. How useful did you find the information on the
broadcast? [6. variation EVALSERV21]

Extremely
Useful
†

Very
Useful
†

Moderately
Useful
†

Somewhat
Useful
†

Not at all
Useful
†

9. Is this your first visit to Yellowstone National Park?
□Yes

□No [1. variation VISHIS1]

10. Please provide any other comments you may have about traveler information issues in Yellowstone National
Park, and/or between Livingston and Gardiner on US 89. [6. OPMGMT7]
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*Additional Information Provided upon Request.
16 U.S.C. 1a-7 authorizes collection of this information. This information will be used by park managers to better serve the public.
Response to this request is voluntary. 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 average 3 minutes per response. Direct
comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this form to:
Michael J. Angermeier
Landscape Architect
Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Phone 307-344-2017
[email protected]

THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THIS SURVEY!