Exploring the use of public participation GIS in transportation planning for tourism at a Nordic destination

Figures & data

Figure 1. Four phases in the Swedish strategic choice of measures (SCM) transportation planning methodology. Adapted from STA (2014).

Table 1. Summary of PPGIS studies.

Study	Method	Key outcome(s)
Brown and Kyttä (2014)	Review of studies that used internet and paper-based mapping	The authors identified and discussed some of the key issues in PPGIS which include diverse definitions of participatory mapping, main theoretical and conceptual PPGIS foundations, sampling, participation rates and issues of data quality, integration of PPGIS data in planning The authors highlight top PPGIS research priorities including: “(1) understanding and increasing participation rates, (2) identifying and controlling threats to spatial data quality, (3) improving the “PP” or public participation in PPGIS, and (4) evaluating the effectiveness of PPGIS”
Brown and Reed (2009)	Internet-based PPGIS	Results from the study demonstrate that internet based PPGIS could be used in evaluating landscape values relevant for forest planning. The authors highlight that place-specific results are sensitive to the sub-populations under study and that the internet PPGIS methods ought to be complemented with traditional mail-based PPGIS methods if high participation rates are to be achieved
Brown and Weber (2011)	Internet-based mapping	The authors show that PPGIS (although not without challenges) can be an effective method in measuring visitor experiences, environmental impacts, and facility needs for a variety of park planning processes The authors also highlight some of the challenges with using PPGIS in nation park planning such as a challenge with involving visitors who would like to enjoy their limited leisure time
Griffin and Jiao (2019)	Online PPGIS, qualitative case analysis	The authors report that online techniques (i.e. a smartphone platform that logs trips, PPGIG) resulted in larger geography for participation than in-person meetings, PPGIS covering the most area
Kahila-Tani et al. (2019)	Online PPGIS	The authors identify the pros and cons of using PPGIS. Some of the pros include the possibility to use PPGIS at various phases and in diverse planning situations. An example of a PPGIS con identified by the authors is technology stress and information overflow
Pocezwizc et al (2010)	A mixed-mode approach combining paper and internet mapping	The results show that the rate of participation was 2.5 higher on the paper survey compared to the online one A lower response bias was recorded on the paper survey than the online one
Tang and Waters (2005)	Web-based PPGIS	The authors note that a successful web based PPGIS would be influenced by factors such as accessibility by users and the capacity of mapping servers
Wolf et al. (2018)	PPGIS survey combining online and paper-based mapping	PPGIS was effective in mapping simultaneous usage of trails to predict conflict locations. Findings from the study were also incorporated in a proposed conflict resolution model

Figure 2. Sälen within Malung-Sälen municipality, Dalarna region, Sweden.

Table 2. Tourism infrastructure and guest turnover in Sälenfjällen.

Ski companies	Ski infrastructure	Guest nights/turnover (2016)
Stöten AB Kläppen Ski Resort AB Skistar AB	A total of 126 lifts 186 slopes 250 km of skiable tracks	4.8 million guest nights SEK 2.5 billion turnover
Source: (Destination Sälenfjällen, 2020)		Source: (Scott & Pashkevich, 2019)

Figure 3. Illustration of current transportation solutions in Sälenfjällen.

Figure 4. Diagram of method protocol in the study.

Table 3. Distribution of surveys over five weeks.

Weeks	Dates	Places in Sälenfjällen	Visitors approached	Links handed out
1	Wednesday 29/02/2020	Högfjällshotellet	19	11
	Saturday 1/03/2020	Högfjällshotellet	20	11
		Scandinavian Mountain Airport	17	15
2	Saturday 7/03/2020	Scandinavian Mountain Airport	8	7
		Experium Ski Lodge	9	5
	Sunday 8/03/2020	Experium Ski Lodge	21	6
		Scandinavian Mountain Airport	14	5
3	Thursday 12/03/2020	Tandådalens check-in 7	11	3
	Saturday 14/03/2020	Tandådalens check-in 7	9	6
	Sunday 15/03/2020	Scandinavian Mountain Airport	16	9
	Total (week 1-3)		144	78
	Surveys handed out
4	Saturday 21/03/2020	Lindvallen	66	41
	Sunday 22/03/2020	Tandådalen	25	22
5	Saturday 28/03/2020	Hundfjället	68	55
	Sunday 29/03/2020	Stöten	32	21
		Total (Week 4 −5)	191	139
		Total (week 1-5)	335	217
		Total returned surveys		184
		Total excluded		22
		Total surveys analysed		162

NB: a) The 22 surveys were excluded because of pilot testing responses (11); incomplete surveys (2), non-visitors (8), and under 18 years (1). b) We were at the destination only on weekends during check-out times (9 am-12 pm) and peak ski times (10:30 am −3 pm). We were also there on some Wednesdays and Thursdays whenever there were flights departing from Sälenfjällen

Source: Survey design documentation

Figure 5. Interactive survey on the Maptionniare interface.

Table 4. Attributes mapped by respondents.

Accommodation preferences	Places visited	Places to be improved
Traveling within the location is easy	Walking is easy	Walking is complicated
The atmosphere is relaxing	I have my cottage here	The use of a private car is complicated
The atmosphere is child friendly	Use of a private car is easy	The use of public transportation is complicated
I can do trail-based activities at the location e.g. cross-country skiing	The use of public transportation is easy	Traffic is hectic
	Traffic is calm	Other reason
The use of public transportation is easy	Other reason	Suggested improvements
My cottage is located here		The area needs a new road
The location is close to ski slopes		The parking area needs improvement
Other reason		A charging port for electric cars is needed
		The area needs better signage
		Other improvements

Source: (Brown & Kyttä, 2014)

Table 5. Description of respondent and trip characteristics.

Variable	Responses	Variable	Responses
Gender		Transportation to Sälenfjällen
Female	83	Own car	126
Male	63	Company car	10
Third gender	1	Flying	8
Country		Train	1
Sweden	141	Transportation within Sälenfjällen
International	9	Bus	4
		Own car	88
		Rental car	2
Age		Taxi	6
18–32	41	Walking	18
33–47	67	Combined modes	14
48–62	32	Did not travel around	18
63–77	8	Length of stay
Main reason for visiting		0–2 days	19
Alpine skiing and other activities	121	3–5 days	63
owning a cottage	21	6–9 days	69
Other reasons e.g. nightlife	20	>9 days	11
Frequency of visit		Returning in the next 3 years
First time	12	Yes	146
Less frequent than 1 time/year	90	No	1
2–3 times/year	31	Unsure	15
More frequent than 3 times/year	24

Source: Survey results

Figure 6. All markers placed by visitors.

Figure 7. Markers indicating accommodation preferences of visitors.

Figure 8. Markers indicating visitors’ preferences for activities.

Figure 9. Visitor preferences for improvements.

Table 6. Some examples of suggested improvements by visitors.

Suggested improvements	Examples of comments
Maintenance	“No maintenance of walkways during winter, one must walk on roads together with traffic”
Charging posts for electric cars	“More charging posts for cars. Quick charger - yes please!”
Need for more parking areas	“More parking spaces near the slopes”, “More parking- outside seating”
Need for walking and cycling routes	“Walking and cycling route”
Improvement of road E66	“Improvement of Route 66 is needed”, “the road must be cleaned up”
Traffic congestion	“Little traffic, but crowded and very often traffic in the middle of the road-usually stroller”

Source: Open-ended responses from surveys

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