Using computer simulation to manage the crowding problem in parks: a study

Abstract

This study examines the theoretical relationship between visitors' queuing time, crowding perception and satisfaction. Based on this relationship, a computer simulation written with the simulation software SIMAN IV was used as a practical tool to make recommendations to park planners. The simulation model was used in Yangmingshan National Park in Taiwan as a case study to provide recommendations for park managers. Visitors' travel time by car from the park entrance to their destination area in Yangmingshan National Park was used to represent their queuing time. The findings of the case study showed a statistically significant relationship between crowding perception and queuing time, although only a small proportion of crowding perception can be explained by visitors' travel time. The relationship between queuing time and satisfaction is not clear. Several models showed significant interactions between crowding perception and other independent variables; visitors' crowding perception and their satisfaction were statistically significant when the other variables were held constant. Visitors' preferences and personal demographics were found to be unrelated to their crowding perception or their satisfaction when controlling travel time; other variables showed different degrees of relationships with crowding perception or satisfaction when controlling travel time. Five proposed projects were simulated to develop recommendations for park managers. A comparison of the results suggested that decreasing the number of visitors on weekends by methods such as limiting the number of visitors or distributing the visitors to weekdays would relieve the crowding perception of visitors. Other projects (decreasing the parking time, changing the location of one of the parking lots, increasing the number of parking lots and increasing the number of parking spaces) had a simulated effect of causing increased road queues.