Transportation and User Capacity Assessment at Sequoia and Kings Canyons National Parks (SEKI)

NOTE TO REVIEWER:
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 are consistent with 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. These questions have been carefully discussed and generally approved by the
NPS Information Collection Review Coordinator for inclusion in the currently approved questionnaire with
understanding that that all questions will require further review and consideration by OMB before full
determination and approval can be granted.
This will questionnaire will be administered on-site by interviewers using tablet computers with skip patterns
based on responses to screening questions about travel modes. This is an effort to limit the individual
respondent burden.
OMB Control Number: 1024-0224
Current Expiration Date: 8-31-2014

Dear Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Visitor:
We are conducting this survey to learn more about visitors to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks so that we
can improve our service to you. You have been randomly chosen to participate in this survey, so your opinions are
important to us. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete and the information you provide will be
anonymous. Please read each question carefully and respond to the best of your ability.
In this questionnaire, your personal group is defined as anyone that you are traveling with such as spouse, partner,
family, or friends. This does not include the larger group that you might be traveling with such as school, church,
boy or girl scouts, or tour group.

General Park-wide Questions for all Respondents
Topic Area 1 – GR3
Including yourself, how many people are in your personal group during this visit?
a. Number of people
Topic Area 3 – TRIPC8
On this visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP, how long did you and your personal group spend, or plan
to spend, inside the park? Please list partial hours or days as ¼, ½, or ¾.
b. Number of hours if less than 24 hours, OR
c. Number of days if 24 hours or more
Topic Area 1 – VISITHIST2
Before this visit, had you ever been to Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP?
a. No, this is my first visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP  Go on to question 4
b. Yes If yes, how many times have you visited Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP in the past five
years?
1. # of Visits in past five years _______
2. Don’t know

1

Topic Area 3 – TRANS16
On this visit, what form of transportation did you and your personal group use to enter Sequoia and
Kings Canyon NP?
• Automobile such as a car, SUV, or pickup
• Recreational Vehicle (RV)
• Motorcycle
• Commercial tour bus
• The Sequoia Shuttle (from Visalia to park)
• Other (Please specify ___________________)
Topic Area 3 – TRANS2
On this visit, how many total vehicles did you and your personal group use to enter the park?
# Vehicles ________
Topic Area 5 Crowding/Visitor Experience
We would like to know how you feel about traveling on roadways in Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP. For
each item below please rate how much you think it describes the experience of driving on roads park
wide.

Stress and Conflict
You experience conflict with visitors using other kinds
of transportation
You feel stressed while traveling through the park
You feel crowded by other visitors
You have trouble finding parking
You feel stressed about the lack of parking and
attraction signage
Freedom
It is easy to get to scenic overlooks/vistas
You have easy access to different areas of the park
You experience a sense of freedom
Ease
It is easy to find your way around the park
You feel safe
You have pleasant interactions with other visitors

Strongly
agree
1

Slightly
agree
2

Moderate
agree
3

Slightly
disagree
4

Strongly
disagree
5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

2

Topic Area 6 – OPMGT7
To what extent do you feel the following issues are a problem in Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP?
Not a
problem

A small
problem

Moderate
problem

A slight
problem

A big
problem

Don’t
know

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

DK
DK
DK
DK
DK
DK
DK
DK
DK
DK
DK

1

2

3

4

5

DK

Traffic congestion at park entrance
Traffic congestion at park exit
Traffic congestion along roadways in park
Construction delays throughout the park
Aggressiveness of other drivers
Lack of convenient parking at overlooks
Difficulty finding your way around
Conflict between vehicles and pedestrians
Conflict between vehicles and shuttle buses
Lack of convenient parking at park facilities
Sightsee drivers impeding traffic
circulation/flow
Lack of convenient parking at attraction
sites

Topic Area 6 – OPMGT6 variation
Please rate your level of support or opposition for the following transportation management options for
managing visitor use in Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP.

Provide additional pull-outs for scenic views /
attraction sites
Temporarily close congested park roads
Develop more parking at key attraction sites
Divert visitor traffic away from congested roads
or attractions
Require day-use reservation for vehicles to enter
Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP
Offer more frequent park shuttle bus service
(free)
Increase hours of operation for park shuttle
Limit the number of private vehicles entering the
park
Add park shuttle bus service (free) to more areas
of the park
Add park shuttle bus service (fee based) to more
areas of the park
Require use of park-and-ride shuttle system with
automobile parking inside Sequoia and Kings
Canyon NP

Strongly
Support

Slightly
Support

Moderate
Support

Slightly
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

1

2

3

4

5

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

3

Improve directional signage
Provide additional parking at overflow/satellite
location
Provide additional parking near attractions

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

1

2

3

4

5

Topic Area 1/2 – KNOW1 variation and TPLAN20 variation
Prior to this visit, were you and your personal group aware of a shuttle system to Sequoia and Kings
Canyon NP (from Visalia to the park)?
• No
• Yes
• Don’t Know
Topic Area 2 – TPLAN20 variation
If yes, did you plan to use the shuttle?
• Yes
• No
Topic Area 1/2 – KNOW1 variation and TPLAN20 variation
Prior to this visit, were you and your personal group aware of a shuttle system inside of Sequoia NP
(shuttle between attractions and amenities)?
• No
• Yes
If yes, did you intend to use the shuttle?
• Yes
• No
Topic Area 3 – TRANS16
Please identify whether or not you and your personal group used each of the following modes of
transportation during your visit to the park.
• Private Vehicle (skip to question 23)
• Sequoia Shuttle (Visalia to park)
Go to question 13
• In park shuttle (between attractions and amenities)

4

Shuttle Rider Questions
Topic Area 2 –TPLAN1 variation
How did you and your personal group obtain information about the in-park shuttle (between attractions
and amenities not shuttles entering the park)?
• Sequoia National Park website
• Park materials supplied at entrance station
• Park signage
• Fellow visitors
• At park entrance station and/or from Ranger
• Other, please specify ______________________________
Topic Area 3 – TRANS9
Have you ridden the in park shuttle before today? Please mark (•) only one.
• No
• Yes, once
• Yes, more than once
Topic Area 3 – TRANS10
How many times did you board the shuttle buses during this visit?
Number of times _________
Topic Area 3 – TRANS8/12 variation
This question asks about your use of the shuttle inside Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP and has three
parts. Please use the accompanying map as a reference.
• First, please identify whether or not you and your personal group rode the shuttle for each of
the following sections of the park.
• Next, indicate the sequence of travel for the sections.
• Finally, for only those sections that you and your personal group used, please rate how
acceptable or unacceptable you felt the shuttle wait time was for that section.

Giant Forest Museum to Crescent
Meadow/Moro Rock
Giant Forest Museum to General
Sherman
Lodgepole to General Sherman
Entire General Forest Complex

Extremely
Unacceptable
-4
-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Extremely
Acceptable
3
4

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

-4
-4

-3
-3

-2
-2

-1
-1

0
0

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5

Topic Area 3 – TRANS12 variation
In your opinion, what is the acceptable wait time for shuttles within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National
Park?
• The wait time doesn’t matter to me.
• The acceptable wait time in minutes is:
Less than 5 minutes
Less than 10 minutes
Less than 15 minutes
Less than 20 minutes
Less than 25 minutes
Less than 30 minutes
Less than 35 minutes
Less than 40 minutes
Topic Area 3 – TRANS12 variation
In your opinion, what is the maximum wait time the National Park Service should allow for a roadside
shuttle?
• The wait time doesn’t matter to me.
• The maximum wait time in minutes that should be allowed by the National Park Service.
Less than 5 minutes
Less than 10 minutes
Less than 15 minutes
Less than 20 minutes
Less than 25 minutes
Less than 30 minutes
Less than 35 minutes
Less than 40 minutes
Topic Area 3 – TRANS12 variation
In your opinion, what amount of time would be so unacceptable that you would no longer wait for a
shuttle within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park?
• The wait time doesn’t matter to me.
• The maximum wait time before I no longer wait.
Less than 5 minutes
Less than 10 minutes
Less than 15 minutes
Less than 20 minutes
Less than 25 minutes
Less than 30 minutes
Less than 35 minutes
Less than 40 minutes

6

Topic Area 3 – FVIS23/25 variation
If you were to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP in the future, would you use the shuttle again? Please
choose only one
• Yes, likely
• No, unlikely
• Not sure
• If you answered “No, unlikely,” please tell us why.
Topic Area 3 – FVIS26
If you were to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP in the future, how important would the following items
be regarding a shuttle bus? Please circle one for each characteristic.

Information on where to board shuttle
Clear signage and directions to shuttle
parking area
Clear route information displayed on each
shuttle
Easy, convenient parking for shuttle
Frequency of shuttle service
Increased hours of shuttle operation
Shuttle is free
Information available about park; tour
guides on buses
Bus comfort, not crowded
Space for personal items (i.e. strollers,
coolers)
Shuttle stops at facilities for food and drink
Knowing amount of reduced air pollution
from not driving in park
Increased wait times for parking (at Giant
Forest Museum or generalized question)
Knowing you are reducing traffic congestion
in park
Options for other locations in the park

Not at all
important
1

Slightly
important
2

Moderately
important
3

Very
important
4

Extremely
important
5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

Topic Area 3 – TRANS11
Please provide any additional comments that you and your group may have about the shuttle bus
system.

7

Private Vehicle Questions
Topic Area 3 – TRANS13
What destinations did you park or attempt to park at during visit from Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP.
(Select all that apply)
• Moro Rock
• Crescent Meadow
• Giant Forest Museum
• General Sherman Tree
• Lodgepole Market and Visitor Center
• Grant Grove Visitor Center
• Grant Grove Main Parking
Topic Area 3/5 – TRANS12b variation/CROWD13
Please rate the availability of parking at each site you visited.

Moro Rock
Crescent Meadow
Giant Forest
Museum
General Sherman
Tree
Lodgepole Market
and Visitor Center
Grant Cove Visitor
Center
Grant Cove Main
Parking

Extremely
Unacceptable
-4
-3
-4
-3
-4
-3

2
2
2

Extremely
Acceptable
3
4
3
4
3
4

-2
-2
-2

-1
-1
-1

0
0
0

1
1
1

N/A
N/A
N/A

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

N/A

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

N/A

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

N/A

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

N/A

Topic Area 3 – FVIS26
If you were to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP in the future, how important would the following items
be regarding parking at key attractions and amenities?

Clear signage and directions to
shuttle parking area
Easy, convenient parking
Proximity of parking area to
attraction

Not at all
important

Slightly
important

Moderately
important

Very
important

Extremely
important

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

8

Topic Area 3 – Trip Behaviors – Transportation
How acceptable was the traffic flow along these road segments to you?
Extremely
Unacceptable
Ash Mountain
Entrance to Giant
Forest Museum
Giant Forest Area
Lodgepole to Big
Stump Entrance
Big Stump
Entrance to Grant
Grove Village
Grant Grove to
Cedar Grove
Village

Extremely
Acceptable

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

DK/NA

-4
-4

-3
-3

-2
-2

-1
-1

0
0

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

DK/NA
DK/NA

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

DK/NA

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

DK/NA

All Respondent Questions
New Question
Please choose the scenario you would prefer:
• I prefer Scenario A
• I prefer Scenario B
• I would go somewhere else
NOTE TO REVIEWER: Only one option for each scenario and attribute will be shown per survey. The
options listed in the table below will be randomized automatically for each survey.
Attribute
Parking Availability

Shuttle or Vehicle
Access

Shuttle bus
frequency

Interpretation

(A) Drive Personal Vehicle
• Park-sanctioned or approved private vehicle
parking is available immediately adjacent to
attraction
• Park-sanctioned or approved private vehicle
parking is available approximately half mile walk
from attraction
• Unofficial / unsanctioned / unapproved private
vehicle parking is available adjacent to attraction
but with risk of ticket
• Vehicles are permitted on all roads in the park
• Vehicle use is not allowed to Moro Rock/Crescent
Meadow.
• Vehicle use is restricted to certain areas (specify)

•
• None

(B) Drive in Park and use in park shuttle
• Shuttle parking is 15 minute drive away
from major attractions
• Shuttle parking is a 25 minute drive away
from major attraction
• Shuttle parking is 35 minute drive past
major attraction
• Shuttle parking is 45 minute drive past
major attraction
• One shuttle route serves all locations in
Sequoia NP but takes longer to make a
round trip.
• Multiple shuttle routes in Sequoia NP
make trips faster.
• Shuttle arrives every 5 minutes
• Shuttle arrives every 15 minutes
• Shuttle arrives every 30 minutes
• Shuttle arrives every hour
• None

9

• A recording of a Park Ranger providing education
and interpretation is available through the radio

•

• A live Park Ranger provides education and
interpretation

How confident are you in your scenario selection?
Not at all
confident
1

Slightly
confident
2

Neutral
3

Very
confident
4

Extremely
confident
5

New Question
Managers would like to know how you feel about some different possibilities for managing the visitation
to Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow. Below are options that represent trade-offs between visitor
freedom and managing traffic conflict. Please indicate which one of the following options is the closest
to the way you feel. (Choose only one)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Maintain existing
You can drive your personal vehicle at all times
You experience traffic delays during peak hours
Parking at Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow is often full with wait times
Limit hours of personal vehicle use
Personal vehicles are allowed before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. only
Parking is available for hours of personal vehicle travel
Free in park shuttles are available for hours between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and leave every 15
minutes
There are no road delays or traffic congestion
Shuttle only
Access is allowed by in park shuttle service only
Shuttles leave every 15 minutes from Giant Forest Museum

Topic Area 3 – FVIS22/25 variation
If you were to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP in the future, would you and your group be willing to
ride a shuttle bus to major park viewpoints?
• Yes, likely
• No, unlikely
• Not sure
• If you answered “No, unlikely,” please tell us why.

10

Topic Area 3 – FVIS26
How important are the following reasons to consider using shuttle service on a future visit to Sequoia
and Kings Canyon NP? Please circle one for each characteristic.

Information on where to board shuttle
Clear signage and directions to shuttle
parking area
Proximity of parking area to attraction
Easy, convenient parking for shuttle
Frequency of shuttle service
Shuttle is free
Information available about park; tour
guides on buses
Bus comfort, not crowded
Space for personal items (i.e. strollers,
coolers)
Shuttle stops at facilities for food and
drink
Knowing amount of air pollution saves
from not driving in park
Increased parking times (at Giant
Forest Museum or generalized
question)
Knowing you will reduce traffic
congestion in park.

Not at all
important
1

Slightly
important
2

Moderately
important
3

Very
important
4

Extremely
important
5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

Topic Area 3 – FVIS24 variation
Which sites in Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP are you most interested in visiting via shuttle?

Lodgepole to Grant Grove Village
Big Stump Entrance to Grant Grove
Village
Grant Grove to Cedar Grove

Not at all
important
1

Slightly
important
2

Moderately
important
3

Very
important
4

Extremely
important
5

Don’t
Know
DK

1

2

3

4

5

DK

1

2

3

4

5

DK

Topic Area 1 – GEND
Are you …?
• Male
• Female
Topic Area 1 – AGE
What is your age? __________

11

Topic Area 1 – RES3
Do you live in the United States?
Yes
What is your Zip Code? __________________
No
What country do you live in? ______________
Topic Area 1 – ED2
Please indicate the highest level of education that you have attained. (Select one)
• Less than high school
• High School Diploma/GED
• Technical school or Associates Degree
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree
• Ph.D., M.D., J.D., or equivalent
Topic Area 1 – RACE/ETH2
For you only, are you Hispanic or Latino? (Select one)
• Yes, Hispanic or Latino
• No, not Hispanic or Latino
Topic Area 1 – RACE/ETH2 Variation
For you only, are you of Middle Eastern/Arab ancestry/descent? (Select one)
• Yes, of Middle Eastern/Arab ancestry/descent
• No, not of Middle Eastern/Arab ancestry/descent
Topic Area 1 – RACE/ETH4
For you only, which of these categories best describes your race? (Select one or more)
• American Indian or Alaska Native
• Asian
• Black or African American
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
• White
Topic Area 1 – LANG2
What language(s) (if any other than English) is frequently spoken in your home?
Language (s)

12

Thank you for helping us with this important study. If there is anything else you would like to tell us?,
Please do so in the space below.

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 need 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 survey is estimated to be 20 minutes per response. Direct
comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection to Colleen Bathe, Division Chief; Interpretation,
Education and Partnerships, [email protected] (email), Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, 47050 Generals
Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271.

13