Dynamic pricing system for express queues

Abstract

The present invention pertains to the technical field of managing queues for theme parks, amusement parks, museums, exhibitions and the like. The invention relates to a dynamic pricing system for express queues that employs proportional control to adjust the price of passes based on the current, predicted and desired waiting time. Using an automated observer that simulates and predicts waiting times on the basis of real-time visitor flow, it dynamically adjusts the prices of express queue passes in order to keep express queue waiting times close to a target value predetermined by the operator. It differs from existing techniques that use fixed prices or daily adjustments without continuous feedback, because it applies a proportional gain, derived from empirical data, to calculate real-time price adjustments that directly respond to changes in demand conditions in the express queue.

Description

Dynamic pricing system for express queues. Field of the invention.

[0001] The present invention relates to the queue management and dynamic pricing systems sector, applied to theme parks and amusement parks. This invention falls more precisely within the implementation of computer-based access control systems to optimize visitor flow through real-time price adjustments. The developed technique can be applied not only in theme parks, but also in any environment where effective queue management is crucial, including, but not limited to, museums, exhibitions, and sporting events. Fundamentals of the invention

[0002] In the current state of the art, theme parks and amusement parks predominantly use express queue systems as a method to improve the visitor experience by allowing faster access to popular attractions. These systems generally operate by selling a limited number of passes that allow visitors to avoid long queues by paying a fixed additional price. However, in these systems, the accumulation of visitors in express queues can result in waiting times that rival those of regular queues, especially on days of high demand.

[0003] Currently, most parks adjust the prices of these passes statically, based on predetermined demand expectations that do not consider real-time variations in visitor flow or other operational conditions of the park. This approach can result in underutilization or overcrowding of express lanes, compromising both the effectiveness of the system and visitor satisfaction.

[0004] Furthermore, alternative systems that use dynamic pricing in other contexts, such as airlines and hotels, adjust prices based on algorithms that often only consider historical demand patterns and do not respond in real time to changes in consumer behavior or specific day-to-day conditions. These systems are not suitable for the specific needs of highly interactive and dynamic environments such as theme parks, where visitor flow and preferences can change drastically in a matter of minutes due to factors such as weather conditions, show times, and other scheduled attractions.

[0005] The proposed invention addresses these problems by implementing a dynamic pricing system for express queue passes, which adjusts prices in real time based on current demand and projected wait times. The system uses a proportional control model where an automated "observer" operating through a simulation continuously monitors visitor flow in the queues and wait times, using this data to generate real-time projections of wait times in express queues and calculate the difference (herein referred to as error, ^^) between the desired wait time and the projected wait time for the next visitor in the express queue.

[0006] The calculated error (^^) is then multiplied by a proportional gain. Dynamically adjusted based on previous empirical data, to determine the proportional control (^^^^) that will be applied to the Base Price, (^^ 0), charged for the pass and determined by the operator. This method allows the price of express passes to increase when demand is high and waiting times are growing, which can lead to a decrease in the willingness to purchase the express queue service, discouraging overcrowding and reducing pressure on express queues. Conversely, when demand falls and waiting times decrease, the system reduces prices to encourage purchase, optimizing the use of attractions and aiming to maximize visitor satisfaction. Brief description of the designs

[0007] Figure 1 shows the process flow in question, where with each new purchase of an Express Queue pass for each individual attraction, an automated observer feeds a computer simulation that performs a new projection of the waiting time in the express queue. Then, the error (^^) is calculated in relation to the desired waiting time determined by the operator. Once the error (^^) is determined, the process uses a proportional gain (^^^^), also determined manually or automatically by the operator, to arrive at a Proportional Factor that will be added to the Base Price. established by the operator for the purchased pass to the Express Queue. Description of the invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a dynamic pricing system for express queues in theme and amusement parks, which aims to optimize the user experience by adjusting the price of the fast-track service (express queue) to attractions based on the actual and projected waiting time in this modality. This system uses a proportional control approach to keep the waiting time of express queues close to a desired value, aiming to increase visitor satisfaction and maximize the operational efficiency of the park.

[0009] The system consists of a centralized computer server, referred to as the "observer," which collects real-time data on visitor flow in attraction queues and express lines. The observer employs projection algorithms to estimate future wait times based on current and historical inflow. When a visitor chooses to purchase an express line pass, the system calculates the expected wait time and compares it (by the difference between the two) with a predefined desired wait time.

[0010] A diferença entre o tempo de espera esperado e o desejado, denominada erro, e, It is then processed through a proportional gain, ^^^^, which is dynamically adjusted based on previous empirical data to form the proportional control ^^^^. This control is added to the pass's Base Price (^^ 0), determined by the operator, resulting, at the current instant, ^^ , in a new price, ^^^^ , em uma Dynamic pricing that adjusts in real time in response to variations in demand and express queue wait times. Technical Details

[0011] Coleta de Dados: É realizado, através do sistema de vendas de passes para a Fila Expressa monitors the number of visitors and their queue entry time, transmitting this data to the monitoring server.

[0012] Projeção de Tempo de Espera: Utiliza algoritmos de previsão baseados em Statistical models and machine learning are used to estimate wait times based on collected data.

[0013] Cálculo do Erro e Controle Proporcional: O erro é calculado como a diferença between the projected waiting time and the desired waiting time. The proportional gain, ^^^^, is periodically adjusted to refine the system's response to changes in park conditions.

[0014] Ajuste de Preço: Um novo controle proporcional, ^^ ^^ = ^^ ^^ × ^^ ^^, derived from the current error, ^^ , and the proportional gain, ^^^^, is applied to the Base Price,^^ 0 , ^^ ^^ = ^^ 0 + ^^ ^^charged for the express queue pass to determine the new final price offered to the visitor at that moment ^^ .

[0015] Essas características do sistema proposto buscam resolver um problema This invention addresses the technical challenges faced by theme parks, seeking to offer a solution in terms of operational efficiency and customer satisfaction compared to existing approaches. Implementation of the invention

[0016] A invenção proposta foi aplicada em um ambiente simulado de parque temático,Hundreds of simulations were performed using an Excel spreadsheet, with the insertion of more than twelve thousand individuals per simulation. The simulated visitor flow was based on an exponential distribution from the park's opening to closing time. Once the waiting time limit in the general queue was exceeded (usually between 30 and 40 minutes, according to the simulations), visitors decided, based on probability according to a logistic probability distribution function, whether to purchase the express pass. This function took into account a) the price being charged for access to the express queue; b) the waiting time in the general queue; and c) the waiting time in the express queue; to increase or decrease the probability of purchasing the express pass.

[0017] Foram testados diferentes ganhos proporcionais, ^^ ^^, and it was determined that the higher this value, the closer the observed waiting time was to the desired waiting time, proving the viability of the invention in keeping waiting times under control.

[0018] Em cenários simulados onde os passes eram vendidos a preçosfixos, semUsing proportional control, it was observed that waiting times in the express queue were longer than those in the general queue. This occurred because the number of visitors in the express queue boarding a vehicle at the attraction was fixed and lower than the number of visitors in the general queue boarding the vehicle at each iteration, leading to a greater accumulation of visitors waiting in the express queue and, consequently, a considerable increase in waiting time in the express queue. This number of visitors in the express queue boarding the attraction vehicle remained constant at 8 visitors during the comparisons that sought to assess the effectiveness of the system.

[0019] Tabela 1 representando os parâmetros utilizados e seus resultados, nas simulations that sought to compare the proposed process to the existing process. Table 1: Parameters and results in a simulated environment

[0020] No caso extremo onde, nas simulações, o número de visitantes que embarcavamThe maximum waiting time in the attraction's vehicle was entirely that of visitors coming from the express queue, and the maximum waiting time in the queue was around 214 minutes. This was far beyond the desired waiting time set by the operator, which was 5 minutes.

[0021] A forma preferida de implementação desta invenção é através de um sistema An integrated queue management system that uses real-time purchase data feeds on queues and a processing module that adjusts the prices of express passes using proportional control. .

[0022] Este sistema pode ser facilmente integrado aos aplicativos móveis existentes of theme parks, seeking a fluid and integrated experience for visitors.

Claims

1 / 2CLAIMS 1. Dynamic pricing system for express queues for theme parks, amusement parks, museums, exhibitions, sporting events and the like, characterized by comprising: ● An online and automated observer (1) that monitors visitor flow and waiting time in express and regular queues; ● A simulator system (2) that projects waiting times (3) in the express queue; ●The adjustment of express pass prices based on the difference (error) (4) between the projected waiting time in the express queue and the desired time (5), determined by the operator, which uses a proportional gain derived from empirical data (6) to calculate and apply (8) a proportional control to the base price (7) of the passes, with the objective of increasing or decreasing the demand for express queue passes in order to keep the waiting times of the express queues close to a desired waiting time, aiming to promote efficient queue management and improved visitor satisfaction.2.A system according to claim 1, characterized by simulating and projecting waiting times based on an exponential distribution of visitor arrival times from the opening to the closing of parks, museums, exhibitions, sporting events, and the like, and by integrating a normal probability function or a logistic probability function that takes into account the price of the express pass, the waiting time in the regular queue, and the waiting time in the express queue, in order to determine the probability of visitors purchasing the express pass. 2 / 23. System according to claim 1, characterized by implementing different proportional gain values ​​in simulations, validating that different gains generate observed waiting times closer to or further from the waiting time desired by the operator, and aiming at the dynamic regulation of prices in response to variations in queuing conditions.

4. System according to claim 1, characterized by the use of multiple proportional controllers or their derivatives (such as integral and derivative controllers), to refine price adjustment based on a more complex analysis of visitor flow conditions and waiting times. 5.A system according to claim 1, characterized by providing dynamic communication of express pass prices through multiple channels, including but not limited to personal interactions, self-service terminals, and mobile applications, allowing visitors to receive real-time price updates and purchase express passes directly through the most convenient means; 6. A system according to claim 1, characterized by incorporating additional factors into the error calculation, such as the utilitarian value perceived by the visitor, satisfaction ratings, and other behavioral indicators, to determine the price adjustment necessary to optimize both operational efficiency and the user experience in the park environment.

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