Designing a data-driven permit system for two popular, urban-proximate trailheads
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Category
Social Sciences/Humanities
Abstract/Artist Statement
Rationing mechanisms such as lotteries, online reservations, and first-come, first-served approaches offer the promise of predictability and balance for public lands experiencing extremely high use. However, when an inefficient or inappropriate rationing mechanism is applied in the wrong context, it results in headaches for visitors and land managers alike. Applying the River Recreation Allocation Decision-making Framework (Phillips & Rice, 2025) to two popular trailheads in the Cleveland National Forest Palomar Ranger District, this poster demonstrates the importance of data-informed decision-making and holistic visitor management strategies.
To determine how to resolve pre-existing safety, crowding, and human waste challenges at these trailheads, we collected information on visitor planning horizons and preferences, perspectives on crowding, and views on freedom of access through an in-person survey. Based on a two-week survey effort and through the lens of the Framework, our project analyzed responses with descriptive statistics and ultimately suggested the trailheads could ration use in different ways to meet varying planning preferences for visitors. Furthermore, we encouraged the Ranger District to consider implementing a timed-entry system at one of the trailheads to provide more management options when heat closures are warranted at the site. This research matters because, in determining whether a rationing system is necessary and then selecting the appropriate rationing techniques, land managers have the opportunity to ensure broad access and avoid needlessly limiting visitorsm and it is our hope that this project may serve as an example for public land managers are considering refining or adopting an allocation system.
Mentor Name
William Rice
Designing a data-driven permit system for two popular, urban-proximate trailheads
UC North Ballroom
Rationing mechanisms such as lotteries, online reservations, and first-come, first-served approaches offer the promise of predictability and balance for public lands experiencing extremely high use. However, when an inefficient or inappropriate rationing mechanism is applied in the wrong context, it results in headaches for visitors and land managers alike. Applying the River Recreation Allocation Decision-making Framework (Phillips & Rice, 2025) to two popular trailheads in the Cleveland National Forest Palomar Ranger District, this poster demonstrates the importance of data-informed decision-making and holistic visitor management strategies.
To determine how to resolve pre-existing safety, crowding, and human waste challenges at these trailheads, we collected information on visitor planning horizons and preferences, perspectives on crowding, and views on freedom of access through an in-person survey. Based on a two-week survey effort and through the lens of the Framework, our project analyzed responses with descriptive statistics and ultimately suggested the trailheads could ration use in different ways to meet varying planning preferences for visitors. Furthermore, we encouraged the Ranger District to consider implementing a timed-entry system at one of the trailheads to provide more management options when heat closures are warranted at the site. This research matters because, in determining whether a rationing system is necessary and then selecting the appropriate rationing techniques, land managers have the opportunity to ensure broad access and avoid needlessly limiting visitorsm and it is our hope that this project may serve as an example for public land managers are considering refining or adopting an allocation system.