Adaptive Queue Feature Control for Wait Time and Energy Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement parks face challenges in keeping guests engaged and entertained during queue wait times, and there is a need for efficient maintenance of costly attraction queue features.
Innovation Solution
A queue control system that uses sensors to monitor queue characteristics such as length, wait time, and throughput, and adjusts lighting, audio-visual elements, and environmental controls based on real-time data to enhance the guest experience and optimize resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If queue features (lights, audio-visual elements, environmental controls) are maintained at full capacity, then guest engagement and experience are improved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts queue features based on real-time queue characteristics. Lights, audio-visual elements, and environmental controls are modified according to current queue length, wait time, and throughput metrics, transitioning from static full-capacity operation to dynamic adaptive operation that matches actual guest needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller modifies operational parameters of queue features based on queue conditions. When queue characteristics indicate low demand, the system changes parameters such as light intensity, audio volume, and environmental control settings to reduce energy consumption while maintaining acceptable guest experience levels.
2Productivity
If queue features are adjusted to reduce energy consumption during low queue conditions, then operational efficiency is improved, but guest engagement may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors queue characteristics and uses this feedback to adjust feature operation. Sensors detect queue length, wait time, and throughput, providing real-time data to the controller which then modifies queue features accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The queue control system operates autonomously by self-monitoring queue conditions and self-adjusting feature operation without manual intervention. The controller automatically determines when to scale back or maintain feature capacity based on measured queue characteristics, enabling the system to serve itself in optimizing operational efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time monitoring of queue characteristics is implemented, then dynamic adjustment capability is improved, but system complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as an intermediary between queue condition sensors and queue feature actuators. It receives data from sensors monitoring queue characteristics, processes this information, and sends control signals to adjust lights, audio-visual elements, and environmental controls, mediating the complex interaction between monitoring and adjustment functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A queue control system controls a queue structure of a queue in an amusement park. The queue control system includes a controller and a queue structure control associated with the queue structure. The controller receives, from an input device that monitors a queue characteristic of the queue, data feedback indicative of the queue characteristic. The queue characteristic is indicative of a queue length, queue wait time, queue rate, or queue throughput. The controller also outputs a control command based on the data feedback. The queue structure control receives the control command and changes at least one aspect of the queue structure based on the control command.