Hypothetical Survey Inquiring About Northern Access Road Construction and Snowmobile Use

Background Information

Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska is contemplating the construction of a new northern access road and a change in regulations concerning snowmobile use in the park. The following survey presents a series of scenarios (not yet posted) that represent a variety of possible regulatory options the National Park Service is considering.

The options being considered for snowmobiles are the abolition of the activity, a reduction in access, and the enactment of a fee-based permit system. Worries about the environmental damage unrestricted snowmobile use might cause have incited the debate over snowmobile regulations.
Each scenario asks the respondent to weigh the relative importance of four attributes salient to the snowmobiling conjoint analysis: (1) Range of access (measured in acres). (2) The number of snowmobiles in that area that day (measured in number of permits issued). (3) The numbers of hours the permit is good for that day. (4) The price charged for the permit.

The second set of scenarios concerns the construction of a new access road in the north end of the park. This road will significantly reduce travel time to Denali from northern locations such as Fairbanks. This road also has the potential to disrupt and damage marine ecosystems, as a greater number of streams will potentially be forded if the road is constructed as straight as possible. Other routes are available which would cross fewer streams, but such a route would necessarily be longer (thus decreasing the benefit of the reduced travel time). The set of scenarios will ask the respondent to weigh the relative importance of four attributes: (1) The road surface. (2) The increase in the entrance fee to the park to pay for the road. (3) The number of streams crossed. (4) The reduction in travel time if the respondent were to take the road.





Demographic Information

1) How old are you?

2) What is your gender?

3) What is your household income?

    Less than $30k

    $30k-45k

    $45k-60k

    $60k-90k

    $90k+

4) What national parks have you visited in the past 3 years?

5) How many family members do you usually take to national parks when you go?

6) How many times per season do you snowmobile?

7) How many seasons have you snowmobiled?

8) If so, have you ever snowmobiled in a national park?

9) How many times within the past 3 years have you visited a National Park and not snowmobiled?



If you’ve been to Denali:

10) By what mode of transportation do you usually enter the park? (Choose one)

    Train

    Plane

    Car

    Bus

    Other

11) How many hours does it usually take you to reach your final destination within Denali from your house?

12) What is your primary mode of transportation within Denali?

13) How much time do you usually spend in Denali?

    Less than 1 day

    1-2 days

    3-5 days

    6-10 day

    10+ days

14) What is your primary reason for visiting Denali? (Choose one)

    Sightseeing

    Hiking/camping

    Recreational activities other than hiking (fishing, snowmobiling, etc.)

    Other