The effectiveness of road closures and deactivations at reducing traffic: A case of resource roads used for recreational activities in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

We investigated the effectiveness of different approaches at limiting motorized vehicle traffic on unpaved roads designed to support forestry operations (i.e., resource roads). The approaches (i.e., year-round closure, seasonal closure, deactivation, and deactivation and closure) were employed to provide non-road-based opportunities for people to pursue outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism activities by deterring hunters and others from using motorized vehicles to access areas beyond a road closure/deactivation. Using the case of weekend traffic on single-lane resource roads in northern Ontario, Canada during the gun portion of the moose (Alces alces) hunting season, we developed and investigated three general hypotheses. The first hypothesis that closure and/or deactivation approaches significantly reduce traffic on these resource roads was supported. In fact, we estimated that on average these approaches should reduce about 78% of traffic. No support existed for the second hypothesis that the effectiveness of these approaches depends on road quality. The third hypothesis was supported that differences exist in the effectiveness of the four road closure and/or deactivation approaches to reduce traffic on resource roads. A year-round closure was amongst the least while a seasonal road closure was amongst the most effective approach to reduce traffic on these roads.