Post-Event Traffic Woes: Insights From Missoula’s Concert Series Conclusion

Missoula's historic run of concerts is wrapping up this week. There is no better way to top it off than with a UM Grizzly Football game. The University is going to be seeing a record number of people on campus for the events. Which means a lot of cars. When you have that many cars you also have parking.

The University has been trying to manage the parking for major events on campus. They offer shuttles from different locations and they are limiting the amount of vehicles on campus by selling tickets that are required for designated parking lots around the stadium.

Read More: Washington-Grizzly Stadium Concert Parking: What You Need to Know

Parking for an event is one issue, getting out after the event is another issue itself. Recently I attended the Pearl Jam show. For this show the only option I had was to park near the stadium. After the awesome show, we missed our chance to beat the crowds out of the area. So we patiently waited in the car for our turn to leave.

Over an hour later, our car never moved an inch. Neither did any of the other cars around us. Some people tried to maneuver within the parking lot, to get ahead of others even though no one was moving. Some people sat there the entire time with their cars running, even though no one was moving. We heard quite a bit of swearing about the situation. The good news is that no on in our vehicle had to use the restroom. We tried to be Zen about the situation.

When we finally started to move we noticed that a lot of drivers on the road were not letting in any cars from the parking lots. I call it the "one for, one for me" theory, some call it the "zipper" theory. Whichever term you use, there weren't many drivers who were being courteous to others.

By the time we finally got to the front of the exit line, there were multiple cars that drove right past at a snail's pace without leaving any space for us to merge. Finally someone let us in. As I passed the other parking lots, I let in at least one car at every one. "One for you, one for me".

I understand it isn't easy to get in and out of a place in Missoula with 26,000+ other people, I was prepared for that. I wasn't prepared for the amount of other drivers who made it more difficult than they had to for others. It also doesn't help anything to continuously honk your horn when people aren't moving fast enough for you. If you need to get someone's attention, a quick beep will do.

If I could offer one suggestion to the University, maybe they can get a few extra portable toilets for the parking areas for after the shows? Maybe that will help with the frustration of some of the drivers. In the meantime enjoy the upcoming P!nk concert and the home opener Griz Football game, I recommend taking advantage of the shuttles whenever you can. If you do park close to the event, be prepared to wait to leave when it is over. Drive safe out there and try to remember "one for you, one for me."