Sport Venue Evaluation to Assess Game Day Traffic, Parking at Southern Miss
Thu, 10/20/2011 - 03:06pm | By: David Tisdale
Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, a partner with the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi, will conduct an analysis of game day vehicle and pedestrian traffic Saturday from 3-7 p.m. in conjunction with the Golden Eagles' Homecoming matchup with Southern Methodist University.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the university's game day operations with respect to emergency situations and security concerns that could require evacuations or other responses. About 40 personnel will be involved in the assessment, which will include vehicle and pedestrian traffic and parking lot counts near M.M. Roberts Stadium.
“This study will provide the Southern Miss Athletic Department and NCS4with a comprehensive study looking at system solutions that balance the needs of all users of our facilities, including vehicles, transit and pedestrians, with respect to security,” said Dr. Lou Marciani, director of the center.
The company has provided similar studies for MetLife Stadium, American Airlines Arena, the Barclay Center, Rutgers University, Dolphin Stadium, the Prudential Center AT&T Park and Madison Square Garden.
The company will provide feedback to the university from the analysis that can be used for security, parking and traffic coordination strategies and assessment.
“This is a resource that can help with our priority of assuring the highest levels of safety and security for our fans,” said Southern Miss Athletics Director Richard Giannini. “I look forward to seeing the results of the study.”
Kickoff for Saturday's game is set for 7 p.m.
Established in 2006, The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security was created to provide an interdisciplinary academic environment to further increase sport security awareness; improve sport security policies and procedures and enhance emergency response through evacuation, recovery operations and crowd management training. For more information about NCS4, online visit www.ncs4.com