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Feature
Why Crowd Simulation Technology Could Be The Key To Preparing Stadiums For Future Pandemics
By Sebastien Paris, CEO of ONHYS
With the advent of the Euros and the return to sport, sports event organisers are already looking towards safely returning fans to stadiums. Yet, stadium operators must be prepared for future epidemics with researchers warning that we could soon have a pandemic every 10-20 years1
.
Developing strategies and solutions that help facilitate the safety of all attendees, is therefore paramount.
The key to this, as with much of what has driven global innovation in recent times, is data. Today, crowd movement can be modelled at a granular level to account for crowd behaviour, as well as diverse risk points such as entrances, exits and the disparate movement of fans.
Just a few weekends ago, Wembley stadium welcomed around 21,000 fans through its doors for the FA Cup final between Chelsea and eventual winners Leicester City; each attendee had to present a negative test result in order to enter the stadium. Whilst this is a test run of sorts, there should be no doubt that data-driven crowd simulation solutions will represent an important tool for event managers to help improve event safety and drive a better user experience in preparation for future pandemics.
The importance of pre-event crowd modelling
Before stadium managers can open their doors to the general public, it’s important to understand exactly what
number of fans can safely return without increasing the viral load2
. Carrying out in-depth simulations prior to events
that account for variables such as environmental factors - topography and topology for example - pedestrian height, weight, speed of movement and interpersonal distance gives a more realistic and well-rounded view of crowd movement during a live event.
These simulations allow event organisers to test different scenarios of pandemic spread, and to subsequently evaluate at what point the safety of attendees is affected. This
then allows them to see potential outcomes,
enabling them to develop strategies and make informed decisions to optimise for KPI's such as mobility, safety, and service provision.
Solutions now exist to enable stadium managers to
evaluate the progression of viral transmission according to the number of attendees there are at the stadium, for example taking into account the half-life of the virus itself on surfaces and in the surrounding air. Such solutions combine Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Building Information Modelling (BIM) technologies, and by using digital mock ups of the space in question, enable managers to predict crowd flows and areas of high risk, for example entrances or exits, and tailor their approach accordingly. With safety parameters and adjustments implemented, operational logistics can then take centre stage.
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