PART II

1. PART II Area / Meter Characterization Workbook These presentation slides taken from the Workbook Exercise Slides 05Oct09

2. VERS ModernizationRecreation Area and Traffic Meter Evaluation Exercise Workbook Exercise Slides Excel Workbook

3. Workbook Has the Following Worksheets • Start Here • Select your project to populate other worksheets with area/meter lists • Area Inventory Check • Verify the list of developed recreation areas you are reporting visitation • Area Evaluation • Provide facts about each recreation area • Meter Evaluation • Provide facts about each meter • Comments • Place to clarify or elaborate on responses in other worksheets • Access Configuration Options • FYI graphic for a question on the Area Evaluation worksheet • Meter Classification Options • FYI graphic for a question on the Meter Evaluation worksheet

4. Start Page of Recreation Area and Traffic Meter Worksheet Workbook opens to “Start Here” worksheet

5. First Worksheet: Area Inventory Check As it appears when you first open it Purpose of this worksheet is to identify recreation areas that may be missing or misidentified in WebVERS or OMBIL.

6. In these Columns: All recreation areas that are linked in WebVERS and OMBIL should be listed in column C. In column D, you will verify current status of each these areas. Verification of Recreation Area Status in OMBIL Columns C and D - Area Inventory Check Worksheet

7. In These Columns: Hopefully there will be no recreation areas listed in column F. If there are none, you need do nothing in column G. For each recreation area listed in column F, indicate its current status. Areas listed here are currently reporting visitation in WebVERS, but could not be found in OMIBL. Your response may initiate an investigation of the OMBIL-WebVERS link for this recreation area. In column I, write in the names of recreation areas not listed in Cols C or F that: Should be reporting visitation You want to begin reporting visitation Then, explain each entry on Comments Page Verification of Recreation Area Status in OMBIL Columns F, G and I - Area Inventory Check Worksheet

8. Second Worksheet: Area EvaluationAs it appears when you first open it Manually add here any additional areas identified on Area Inventory Check worksheet Click here to bring up “Area Evaluation” worksheet

9. How Worksheets Are Organized • Recreation areas / meters identified in the rows of left-hand columns. • Questions appear in column headings across top of worksheet. • Question headings with popup notes have red triangle in upper right corner- • Purpose of question • Background information to help you understand / answer the question • Graphics illustrating applicable situations • Definitions / descriptions of available response options • Response options are either a number or an option from drop-down list. • Cells where a response is needed from you are highlighted in yellow. Area Evaluation worksheet

10. How it works: Initially, response cells for all recreation areas are shown in yellow. As you answer the first question, response cells for some other questions may turn color from yellow to white. Those cells that turn white need not be answered. Simple Rules: These rules apply to: Area Evaluation worksheet Meter Evaluation worksheet Answer all questions from left to right across the page. Provide a response for every recreation area whose response cell is shown in yellow. Ignore (i.e., do not attempt to answer) response cells shown in white. Approach to Completing Area Evaluation Worksheet You respond in cells highlighted in yellow. Area Evaluation worksheet

11. Possibilities: Recreation is defined in OMBIL the way you and the visitor sees it. Splitting - one recreation area can appear as 2+ PSA’s in OMBIL. Lumping- two or more recreation areas can combined into a single PSA in OMBIL You should characterize the recreation area as it is currently defined in OMBILwhen answering questions about a recreation area. Example of a State Park that is divided into several PSA’s in OMBIL.

12. Completing the “Area Evaluation” Worksheet • Manually add names of any recreation areas not present on list. • You should have previously identified these areas on “Area Inventory Check” worksheet • Proceed to answer questions shown in column headings • Provide a response for every recreation area, including those manually added to the list of areas. • Responses to questions should apply to the recreation area as it is currently defined on OMBIL.

13. Service Providers at the Recreation AreaColumn G- Area Evaluation Worksheet Example of a CE-managed recreation area with a concession-managed marina located inside the park . CE and Concessionaire CE and State gov Example of a multi-site recreation area managed in part by CE and in part by a state agency.

14. Determining the Access Configuration Should be same as was entered on recreation area map Re-verify if necessary by comparing recreation area map with options displayed on “Access Configuration Options” worksheet Access Configuration of Recreation Area Column H- Area Evaluation Worksheet

15. For each recreation area, the total tally should coincide with number of meters shown on recreation area map. Count vehicle and pedestrian meters separately. Include only meters used for visitation estimation purposes. Include pedestrian counter(s) used at visitor center entrance, if applicable. Note that some meters may be physically located outside of recreation area. If a meter measures vehicle traffic at more than one recreation, include it in the count for both areas. Exclude meters that are the source of borrowed meter counts Enter “0” (zero) if there are no meters present. Number of Traffic Meters Used For Visitation Estimation at the Recreation Area Column I and J- Area Evaluation Worksheet

16. Any needed or desired changes should be known (but not necessarily made) before visitation surveys begin. In these Columns: Identify needed changes in OMBIL recreation area definition. Combine existing areas into one area Divide existing area into two or more areas Change from dispersed-use to PSA Identify changes you want to make in monitoring setup that will change load-factors or the way visitation is calculated Add additional meters to monitoring setup Move meter to location that has a different mix of recreation vs. non-recreation traffic. etc Identify prior changes in meter setup not yet recorded in WebVERS meter inventory database. In Col AF, identify recreation area changes likely to occur within the next 3 years that may affect visitation monitoring set-up or load-factors. Changes Needed in Recreation Area Definition or Traffic Meter Set Up Column AE and AF- Area Evaluation Worksheet

17. How to indicate changes in recreation area definition you propose to make in OMBIL • To add or create areas that do not now exist in OMBIL: • Write in name of area in column I on “Area Inventory Check” worksheet. • Manually enter name at end of recreation area list on “Area Evaluation” worksheet and answer all worksheet questions for proposed area • In column AE of “Area Evaluation” worksheet, select “Yes-area” to indicate desire change status of this area in OMBIL • Describe reason for adding proposed area on “Comments Page”. • To split or combine existing areas, or change area type to Dispersed-use or Designated area: • Respond to questions for area as it currently defined. • In column AE of “Area Evaluation” worksheet, select “Yes-area” to indicate desire change status of this area in OMBIL • Describe nature of proposed change on “Comments Page” • To change area type from a Designated area to Dispersed-use: • Select Dispersed-use option in recreation area verification check column on both “Area Inventory Check” and “Area Evaluation” worksheets.

18. Third Worksheet: Meter Evaluation As it appears when you first open it Click here to bring up “Meter Evaluation” worksheet

19. Completing the “Meter Evaluation” Worksheet • Follow same process as for the “Area Evaluation” worksheet • But on this worksheet, each response will apply to an individual meter • A list of the active meters in WebVERS appears in the left-hand column of worksheet. • Meters are identified by a “Site” name that has been given by the project • Same name as appears on a VERS monthly meter reading report • Provide a response for every traffic meter listed • Some recreation areas have more than one traffic meter • In these cases, be sure you know where each listed meter is located at the recreation area.

20. Situation: Not all “meter readings” come from traffic meters Fee envelope counts Hard counts (sign-in sheets, etc) Assumed values Those that do sometimes come from a monitoring setup involving: One meter supplying counts to more than one recreation area One recreation area requiring counts from ore than one meter Recreation area using counts borrowed from another area Where does the meter reading for each WebVERS meter inventory item come from? Column F in Meter Evaluation Worksheet Identifying source of “meter” counts: • Your frame of reference is the WebVERS meter inventory item. • Your response should answer to question "Where does the meter reading for this inventory item come from?" • Options • Local meter • Shared meter • Local / loaner meter • Borrowed meter count • Combined meter count • Non-meter methods

21. Classification of WebVERS Meter Inventory Items

22. Entering Meter Type: After completing Col F, identify in Col G and H the type of “meter” supplying the meter counts for each inventory item. For each inventory item, choose an option either from Col G or Col H. The appropriate column will remain yellow after you enter a response to the previous question. Indicate Type of “Meter” Corresponding to WebVERS Meter Inventory Item Columns G and H in Meter Evaluation Worksheet

23. Situations where comments are warranted: Where you select a response of “Not sure” or “Other” Where you select a response where the response option description asks for clarification on Comments Page Anywhere you think the best available response option does not accurately describe the situation. When you are not sure exactly what is being asked, When there are unusual circumstances that make the response incomplete or the question inapplicable Commenting Procedure: Identify the associated worksheet Identify questions by column letter, areas/meters by row number, or particular response items by cell ID. Write a brief comment or explanation. Click here to bring up Comments Page worksheet Comments Page Worksheet On this Page: • Enter your name and phone number on Comments Page worksheet, even if you have no comments. • Use comments to question, clarify, or explain a response you provided on another worksheet • If in doubt- write it out.

24. 1 of 2 Helpful Hints • Use a computer with a wide-screen monitor (24 inches +), if you have access to one. • Have the PowerPoint maps you produced in Part I available for reference to help identify recreation area configuration as requested in Column H of the Area Evaluation worksheet. • On the worksheets, provide a response for every cell highlighted in yellow, noting the following: • The response entered in one cell may cause other cells in the same row to change color from yellow to white. The cells that change color to white are no longer relevant for the meter or recreation area indicted in that particular row. The color change feature works best if you answer questions from left to right across a worksheet. • Always select a response from the drop-down list, if one is present. Write-in a response only where there is no drop-down list. • Do not use keyboard space bar to overwrite an unwanted entry with blank spaces. Instead, remove the entry using delete key or Clear Contents feature on Edit menu.

25. 2 of 2 Helpful HintsUse of Freeze Panes Option in Excel • Use Freeze Panes to keep the questions and/or list of areas (or meters) meters visible on your screen as you scroll up-down or right-left through worksheet. • You can set Freeze Panes so that: • The list of questions is always visible across top of worksheet • The list of areas or meters is always visible in left column of worksheet • Both remain visible at the same time • Neither stay fixed on your screen (Freeze Panes OFF) • The Area Evaluation and Meter Evaluation worksheets will open so that recreation areas or meters stay visible. • If entire list of recreation areas is not visible on your screen at same time, it will be helpful to freeze both the questions and areas (or meters). • Freezing questions may interfere with display of hidden comments. • Turn off Freeze Panes to view comments, then turn it back on scroll through list of areas. • YouTube videos showing how to freeze and unfreeze panes: • Excel Version 2003: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HWslXMICWo • Excel Version 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j_BR0DGhKc&feature=related

26. Summary • Complete the mapping exercise before starting workbook. • Compete worksheets in the workbook in the following order: 1st: Area Inventory Check 2nd:Area Evaluation 3rd: Meter Evaluation • On each worksheet, complete columns in order from left to right. • Provide a response for every cell highlighted in yellow. • On the Comments Page worksheet, document any response you provide on other worksheets: • Where you believe that none of the available response options are appropriate or where you think it is likely that response option you selected may be misinterpreted. • Where you entered a response of “Other” or “Not sure” • Where you want to clarify or elaborate on your response. • Enter your name and phone number on Comments Page worksheet, even if you have no comments. • When finished, send completed workbook to Lichu at ERDC following instructions on “Start Page” of workbook.

27. After completing the Workbook Save it as “Lichu – Your_project_name workbook” Using this naming convention, the workbook file for Table Rock Lake would be named “Lichu-Table Rock Lake workbook” E-mail the finished workbook to Lichu Lee at ERDC. She is listed in the CE Outlook Address Book under the name “Lee, Lichu, ERDC-EL-MS Contractor”. If the file is too large to send by E-mail, open the hyperlink to the ERDC ftp site at: ftp://erdcftp.erdc.usace.army.mil/incoming/el , copy or paste your file to this site, then notify Lichu by E-mail that you have done so. If you are unable to access the ERDC ftp site from your Microsoft Internet Browser, try accessing it through Windows Explorer. To do so, Right Click on the START button at the bottom of your desktop, select Explore, then type or copy the FTP address on the Address Line. Important Note: This ftp site is used as a repository for files destined for everyone at ERDC, Vicksburg and may contain hundreds of files. Because of this, it is important that you use the file naming convention suggested above, or we may not be able to locate the file you send. Due Date is 31 October 2009

28. Need Help? Contact: Richard L. Kasul Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Vicksburg, MS E-mail: Richard.L.Kasul@erdc.usace.army.mil