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Wait-Less Stadium Concessions

Posted: July 04 2023

Made In Brunel, Design
Made In Brunel, Design

Product Design student Emma Bashford's final year project Wait-Less Stadium Concessions is a system which improves the experience for both visitors and vendors at stadium food & beverage outlets. Wait times are reduced, visitors can make informed decisions about which outlet to use, and vendors can prepare for peak operating times.

Mock-up of Wait-Less Stadium Concessions a system which improves the experience at stadium food & beverage outlets

In 2016, 45% of stadium event spectators said that they left a concession line because the wait time was too long, and that if wait times were halved, they would spend ~£10 extra.(Oracle, 2016) Unclear queues and signage result in some outlets being much more crowded than others.

A Crowd Flow Prediction system uses CCTV and event data to predict surges in demand. This data is synthesised into a vendor actions dashboard web-app; allowing staff to prepare items in advance. If an item is sold out, it can be immediately removed from the digital menu, and guests are directed to an alternative outlet before they join the queue. The system allows users to make informed decisions about which outlet to use, through displayed outlet wait times.

Waiting line psychology informed a redesign of queue spaces to encourage efficient use of the outlets. For example, guests are encouraged to use the drinks-only outlet by making this line seemingly move faster.

Mock-up of Wait-Less Stadium Concessions a system which improves the experience at stadium food & beverage outlets
Mock-up of Wait-Less Stadium Concessions a system which improves the experience at stadium food & beverage outlets

🖺 Made In Brunel