Traffic Geography

A graphic summary of the simulation results is presented in figures 5.11 through 5.14. The data used to make these maps are taken from the column labeled ``Run 1'' in table 5.6. Since the variation between runs is less pronounced for the total bay, the results of Run 1 can be considered as typical for the simulation output in the various runs. The size of the graduated circles is proportional to the total number of boats embarked to that destination as listed in that column, and the pie slices indicate the proportion of sail, speed, fish, and power cabin boats that went to that area.

  

Figure 5.11: Regional simulation summary: winter weekend. Circles represent destinations. Size of circles are proportional to number of boats that arrive to each destination, and pie slices indicate proportion of boat classes at destinations.

  

Figure 5.12: Regional simulation summary: winter weekday. Circles represent destinations. Size of circles are proportional to number of boats that arrive to each destination, and pie slices indicate proportion of boat classes at destinations.

Typical winter traffic is summarized in figures 5.11 (weekend) and 5.12 (weekday). These maps make it easy to identify the most popular spots: the bay, the ICW and the bay, and the ICW and gulf. The total number of boats that select these destinations are different on weekdays and weekends (there's about 50% more boats on weekends than on weekdays), but there is a striking difference in composition of boats that select these destinations. On weekend and weekdays the largest proportion of boats heading towards the gulf is power cabins. On weekends both the number and proportion of sailboats is much higher. The number of fishing boats appears to be about the same between weekends and weekdays, though they are a smaller proportion of the total population at each site on the weekends. This is not to say that fishing boats go out with equal frequency. Many of the bay-side residents, if their schedules support it, prefer to go fishing on weekdays when the overall traffic volume is less. These boaters will tend to stay home on the weekend, but their numbers will be offset by the fisher-folk who can only go out on weekends and holidays.

One other notable feature of this output is that speedboats make up a relatively small part of the bay's traffic on a weekend in the winter. There are more speedboats departing on weekdays in the winter, and they seem to be more evenly distributed across the various locations.

The simulated output allows for the following generalizations about winter boat traffic:

• On a weekend, you are likely to see a lot of sailboats and a few power cabin boats on the bay, and a lot of power cabins and a quite a few sailboats sailing around in the gulf.
• Fishing boats will be seen running up and down the ICW and moored at the fishing flats, keys, and bait shops at the north end of the bay. Roughly half of the boats that you see in the southern portion of the bay will be fishing boats. They are not necessarily engaged in fishing activities: many people have a wide range of potential activities in mind when they purchase a boat, and a fishing boat can be a good multi-purpose boat as well.
• The fishing boats will be out in roughly equal numbers on weekends and weekdays, though they are a smaller proportion of the total traffic on weekends and holidays.
• Speed boats are not taken out so much on the weekends in the winter. They constitute a larger proportion of the boat traffic on weekdays, though their absolute numbers may not be much more.

  

Figure 5.13: Regional simulation summary: summer weekend. Circles represent destinations. Size of circles are proportional to number of boats that arrive to each destination, and pie slices indicate proportion of boat classes at destinations.

  

Figure 5.14: Regional simulation summary: summer weekday. Circles represent destinations. Size of circles are proportional to number of boats that arrive to each destination, and pie slices indicate proportion of boat classes at destinations.

Summer traffic is summarized in figures 5.13 (weekend) and 5.14 (weekdays). There is a much more pronounced difference between weekend and weekday traffic in the summer. Some areas show little difference in absolute numbers of boats- for example the traffic flowing through Big Pass is not very different between weekend and weekdays in number or composition of boats. However, many areas show big differences.

The number of boats going on the weekend through New Pass, Longboat Pass, and Cortez Bridge are more than double their weekday numbers, and in both cases speedboats make up a much larger proportion on the weekends. The number of boats sailing around in the open part of the bay is more than triple their weekday numbers, and their composition is about 60% sailboats. There are a higher number of sailboats going through the passes on the weekends, though their relative proportions are not much different from the weekdays.

About half of the traffic on weekends and weekdays are recreational fishing boats, and fishing boats make up a significant proportion of the arrivals at all destinations in this simulation. Fishing boats tend to dominate the areas in the shallow areas at the north part of the bay.

Power cabin boats make up a good proportion of the traffic on the bay, along the ICW, and going through the passes, though they are not the dominant boat type in any of these places. They make up the largest proportions of the ICW traffic, especially at the exit points to the north (where they would be headed to Tampa Bay, Clearwater, etc.) or south (boats headed to Venice or Punta Gorda).