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1999 University of Pittsburgh |
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Thursday, 18 August 2005 |
RESULTS IN BREIF
- This study reports on an extensive survey of users at six
trailheads in the Allegheny Trail system: Boston, Connellsville,
Montour, Ohiopyle, Rockwood and West Newton. (Only the Allegheny County
portion of the Montour Trail was surveyed.)
- The study determined trip spending in local communities near the
trailhead for items such as bike rental, bike equipment, clothing,
lodging, food and drink, gasoline and sundries:
- Approximately 3000 mail-in surveys were distributed at these
trailheads from July 1 through October 1, 1998. Survey response rates
were high, 47%.
- Mean local trip spending estimates ranged from $12.01 to $15.33 per person per trip.
- Using the percentage of time spent biking on the trail system in
1997, estimated bike and equipment expenditures allocable to the trail
system ranged from $150 to $220 per person during the past two years.
This estimate includes expenditures by persons who were currently
non-biking users of the trail but had used the trail for biking in the
past.
- Total combined usage at the six trailheads was estimated to be 300,069 biking and 56,209 non-biking trips taken in 1998.
- Using trips per person estimates from the sample, the total
number of distinct individuals using the trail was estimated to be
110,416 bikers and 18,652 non-bikers in 1998.
- Total estimated 1998 spending in trailhead communities by trail users ranged from $5.4 to $14.1 million.
- If the trail system were completed, estimated additional
trailhead community spending by current users ranged from $4.3 to $8.0
million per year.
- If the trail system were completed, estimated additional bike and
bike equipment expenditures by current users ranged from $2.2 to $4.3
million per year.
- Non-Pennsylvania residents comprised 9.1% of the users.
- Estimated non-Pennsylvania trailhead community spending ranged from $0.5 to $1.3 million in 1998.
- 40% of the local spending in trailhead communities, or $3.6 to
$9.5 million in 1998, was by persons traveling at least 15 miles to
reach the trailhead.
- 28% of the local spending in trailhead communities, or $3.4 to $8.9 million in 1998, was by persons traveling at least 25 miles.
- People most frequently mentioned scenic and natural beauty,
followed by flatness, well-maintained trails and peacefulness as
aspects of the trail they liked the most.
- Although few respondents suggested improvements, the most
frequently noted suggestions were restroom facilities, followed by
trail completion and water supplies.
- Approximately 156 businesses were contacted with a mailed survey
or personal visit in the five-county trail system area. Of these
businesses, 89 returned completed survey forms for a 57% survey
response rate.
- A third of the respondents (33%, or 30 responses) reported that
trail business accounts for more than 10% of their annual receipts.
- Almost half of survey respondents (44%, or 39 responses) indicated that they have plans to expand their businesses.
- 74% (66) of the respondents projected that the impact on their
businesses of the completion of the trail system would be positive or
extremely positive.
- The 89 businesses responding to the survey had a total of
$4,555,401 in receipts and paid a total of $564, 324 in wages as a
result of trail-related activity.
- If adjustments are made for the businesses that did not respond,
the estimated receipts were $7,960,546 and the wages were $984,778.
- Most of this activity was in Allegheny, Fayette and Somerset counties near completed sections of the trail.
- Trail users are spending $1,718,933 at Allegheny County
businesses that are near the trail. If almost 10% of the users are from
outside of Allegheny County zip code area, then $169,122 of the
spending at the surveyed businesses near the Montour and Boston
trailheads can be attributed to users from outside of the area.
- Trail users are spending almost $1.5 million at Fayette County
businesses that are near the trail. If 87% of the users are from
outside of the Fayette County zip code area, then $1.3 million of the
spending at the surveyed businesses near the two trailheads can be
attributed to users from other areas.
- Trail users are spending almost $873,715 at Somerset County
businesses that are near the trail. If 60% of the users are from
outside of the Somerset County zip code area, then $524,229 of the
spending at the surveyed businesses near the Rockwood trailhead can be
attributed to users from outside of the area.
- Trail users are spending $272,987 at Westmoreland County
businesses that are near the trail. If 71% of the West Newton trailhead
users were from outside of Westmoreland County, then $193,548 of the
spending at the surveyed Westmoreland County businesses can be
attributed to users from outside of the area.
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