Crowd Management System Dynamic Exit Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-density venues, sudden events like emergencies lead to suboptimal exit patterns due to human tendencies, resulting in delays and injuries, and existing methods for directing crowds to multiple exits are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A modular crowd management system comprising a command and control subsystem, a sensor network, and crowd management devices that inflate or extend to direct pedestrians away from danger and toward exits, using sensors for real-time data and signage to guide evacuees effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If multiple exits are used for evacuation, then evacuation speed is improved, but crowd distribution becomes unbalanced causing some exits to be overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts exit recommendations based on real-time crowd density measurements. Sensors continuously monitor patron distribution across different zones, and the command and control subsystem updates which exits are promoted through signage, creating a dynamic balance that prevents any single exit from becoming overloaded while maintaining fast evacuation speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by measuring actual crowd distribution via sensors, comparing it against optimal distribution targets, and adjusting exit promotion strategies accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that crowd flow is continuously optimized to balance load across multiple exits while maintaining rapid evacuation
2Ease of operation
If personnel are posted at checkpoints to direct crowds, then crowd direction control is improved, but operational cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service crowd management by deploying autonomous signage and communication devices that automatically direct patrons to appropriate exits based on real-time conditions. The command and control subsystem autonomously processes sensor data and generates directional guidance without requiring human operators at checkpoints, eliminating labor costs while maintaining effective crowd control
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical system of human personnel physically directing crowds with an automated electronic system comprising sensors, command and control software, and electronic signage. This substitution eliminates the need for human labor while providing more consistent and scalable crowd direction control
3Measurement precision
If workers are deployed to direct patrons, then exit direction accuracy is improved, but worker utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces human workers with autonomous devices that continuously and accurately direct patrons to appropriate exits based on real-time crowd density measurements. The signage and communication devices operate without fatigue or underutilization, maintaining high direction accuracy while eliminating the productivity inefficiencies associated with human worker deployment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures safer and faster evacuations by strategically directing pedestrians away from overcrowded exits and toward less congested paths, reducing the risk of injury and optimizing exit routes in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
a base adapted to release air at a high pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A crowd management system (CMS), is disclosed which includes a command and control (C2) subsystem, a sensor network in communication with the C2 subsystem and adapted to provide signals corresponding to geographical number of individuals in a venue, and one or more crowd management devices (CMDs) further in communication with the C2 subsystem, each of the CMDs including a base adapted to release air at a high pressure, the base further including a positional device adapted to position the base according to a selective position, and an inflatable body terminating into a predefined shape adapted to convey a predefined message to individuals near the CMDs.