Virtual Queue Monitoring System for Amusement Park Guest Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement parks face challenges in managing queuing for attractions, leading to inefficient guest utilization of capacity, ride underutilization, and overcrowding due to unpredictable guest flow and long wait times, which deter guests from participating in other park activities.
Innovation Solution
A queue monitoring system that utilizes sensors and a virtual queue controller to manage guest admittance, allowing guests to join a virtual queue and providing a return time range, while also using a standby queue to maintain a steady flow of guests, thereby reducing wait times and optimizing attraction capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a physical queue system is used for attractions, then guests can be admitted in an organized manner, but guests experience long wait times and cannot participate in other park activities
Solution Approach 1:
The queue system is segmented into virtual queue (via mobile app) and physical queue (standby line). Guests can choose to join the virtual queue and receive notifications when it's their turn, allowing them to engage in other activities during the wait, or join the physical standby queue for immediate service when the attraction is less busy.
Solution Approach 2:
A mobile application serves as an intermediary between the guest and the attraction queue system. The app allows guests to virtually queue, receive real-time updates on their position and estimated wait time, and get notified when they can proceed to the attraction, eliminating the need for physical waiting while maintaining queue management.
2Productivity
If attraction capacity is increased to handle more guests, then more guests can be served, but wait times increase and guests are deterred from returning
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to guests through the mobile application about their queue position, estimated wait time, and when they can expect to board the attraction. This feedback loop allows guests to make informed decisions about their experience and plan accordingly, reducing perceived wait time even if actual throughput remains constant.
3Productivity
If operating hours are extended to accommodate more guests, then capacity increases, but operational costs increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The queue management system dynamically adjusts attraction operations based on real-time demand data collected from virtual and physical queues. The system can optimize ride scheduling, adjust staff allocation, and coordinate attraction availability across different time periods to maximize throughput during peak hours without requiring extended operating hours, thereby maintaining efficiency while serving more guests.
Data Source
AI summary
A queue monitoring system includes at least one sensor configured to monitor guests admitted from an entrance and generate a sensor signal. The system also includes a virtual queue controller comprising a processor and communications circuitry, wherein the virtual queue controller is configured to: communicate guest admittance information to an operator device, the guest admittance information causing the operator device to display a target number of guests to be admitted during a time interval; determine a count of guests admitted from the entrance during the time interval based on the sensor signal; determine a remaining number representative of remaining guests to be admitted based on the target number and the count of guests admitted from the entrance; and communicate a standby admit signal to the operator device to cause the operator device to display the remaining number.