Knowledge Resources

The Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) conducted a pilot shuttle bus program in the summer of 2008 from Tusayan, Arizona, to the Canyon View Information Plaza. In conjunction with this program, the GRCA received funds to implement a traveler information system comprised of four Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) locations and static signs. The GRCA personnel wanted to implement a combination of HAR and Portable Dynamic Message Signs (PDMS), thinking it would be more cost effective and more beneficial to travelers. A plan was adopted to implement a traveler information system pilot study consisting of a combination of HAR and PDMS and the results would be evaluated to determine how to proceed. The pilot traveler information system consisted of one Portable Dynamic Message Sign (PDMS), two Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) and two HAR static signs announcing the Valle HAR frequency. The HAR provided travelers with information they needed to take the shuttle including shuttle locations and availability, and where to buy entrance passes.

GRCA rented two portable, solar-powered HARs at $1600 per month. The rental fee included the cost of power and communications and the FCC license. By renting the HARs, GRCA did not have to operate the HARS, and the vendor recorded and changed the messages, based on GRCA's requests. In addition, because the vendor already had an FCC license for the state of Arizona, the wait time for an FCC license was reduced to just a few days, as opposed to months.

GRCA rented the portable PDMS at $50 per day plus a $300 delivery/pick-up fee. To avoid having to pay a $600 round trip for the vendor to change the message on the sign, the vendor trained GRCA personnel to do it and provided the equipment needed to do so. The cost for a static sign with flashing beacons is approximately $5000 each.

The cost to install and operate the pilot traffic information system for 3 months was:

• Rental fee for two portable HARs - $1600 per month for 3 months - $9600
• Rental fee for one portable PDMS - $50 per day for 90 days - $4500
• Delivery/pick-up for one portable PDMS - $300 - $300
• Two static signs with flashing beacons - $5000 each - $10,000
• Total System Cost for 3 months - $24,400