MUIR WOODS, THE PARKING NUMBERS

MUIR WOODS: A REALITY CHECK:  THE NUMBERS

In response to numerous requests following my commentary, MUIR WOODS, A REALITY CHECK: CARS, SHUTTLES, AND TOURIST BUSES, on Patch and Next Door, I am providing a simple sheet that highlights my calculations, so that everyone can be easily familiar with the basis of my assertions concerning the adequacy of the existing parking “inside the bridge” over Redwood Creek:

The Park Service’s Stated Desired Limit to Muir Woods Visitation is 4,000 people per day.

Subtract From This:

400 Walk and Bike-Ins, The Park Service’s 10 Percent Visitation Allocation for Walk and Bike-Ins (10% x 4,000).

2,480 Visitors Per Day Parking in the Existing 155 Spaced Paved Lot (155 x 5 x 3.2).

450 Visitors Per Day Parking on the Road Shoulder that is "Inside the Bridge (35 x 4 x 3.2).

Which leaves,

670 Remaining Visitors Per Day that Need to be Bused In

(4,000 – 400 – 2,480 – 450).

BUS SERVICE REQUIRED PER DAY:

24 Thirty Passenger Marin Transit Busloads are Needed (approximately, 670/30).

Which would arrive at a Frequency of 3 Per Hour Over an 8 Hour Time Span    (24/8)

Notes:  The average number of passengers per vehicle, 3.2, was provided by the Transportation Director of the GGNRA at a recent meeting in Homestead Valley.  The turnover rates are extrapolated from information provided by the Park Service that I have applied to data I have personally collected walking the parking lots, which are the subject of this study.

Weekday bus transportation can be easily provided by Commercial Tourist Buses and Vans.

I will be handing this sheet out at the upcoming meeting with management team of the GGNRA this Wednesday evening at the Tam Valley Community Center.  The meeting starts at 6:30.  A lot is at stake, so if you have a sincere interest in the future of Muir Woods and the transportation problems vexing our communities, please attend and show the Park Service that you want to be involved.

Clayton Smith