Combating queuing with RFID

Imagine a world without queues. It has come much closer now the disposable RFID paper ticket has arrived that can be identified and if necessary "clipped" without you removing it from your wallet. Already some ski resorts use remotely-sensed cards which gives the owner privileges (eg. access into certain areas, use of ski lift, etc) without the need of them having to remove their gloves and clothing. "Virtual queuing" in theme parks is a reality using RFID devices in some parts of the world today and it will improve when you and your vehicle are located automatically in real time without human intervention.

 

Humans and animals need to be tracked and validated for various reasons such as:

 

 

RFID-based TAV is useful here, including versions based on injectable tags, 'bolus' tags ingested by cows that stay in the stomach through life, tags clipped to the animal's ear, pendants, key fobs etc. carried by humans.

Theme parks need to be managed holistically. Too many people in one part, then encourage some to go to a quieter section. Optimise earnings, eliminate queues, improve safety and security and let customers trace their children at all times. Carry out market research in unprecedented detail. These are some of the objectives of tagging systems for customers, staff, features and produce, but in particular the customers. Innovision of the UK, BlueTag of Denmark and others are working on pendants that permit virtual queuing, auto-location and so on.

Hawaiian Water Adventures used VirtualTrak, an Irvine California based company that specialises in amusement park RFID solutions, and presented a need for a security system that could track the movements of customers throughout the water park. First there would be the obvious added security, very important to parents. Second, the water park would be getting a great deal of information from tracking the movements of people, indicating areas of particular interest or otherwise.

 

Tagging of children

 

Traditionally, security in amusement parks relies in classic methods of observation and high fences, and guarded entrances. Problems arise when people within a group become separated, leaving young children disturbed and parents equally concerned. The only means of locating lost individuals was through paging and walkie-talkie communication between ride operators.

 

VirtualTrak offered a solution with EMS RFID that can track people throughout the park as well as individually tag customers with customised information using smart wristbands.

 

Individually programmed

 

When groups purchase a roll of wristbands, each band is programmed with a certain number. The leader of the party has an additional number that labels them as the guardian member of the group. EMS readers were then installed at the ten kiosks spread out over the park. When someone passes by the kiosk they put their wrist up to a target painted on the outside of the kiosk wall. The reader is positioned inside the kiosk, mounted against the wall. A parent can scan their wristband at a kiosk and access information regarding their child's current whereabouts. Instant messaging between the tags even allows a parent to send out messages to everyone in the group. For example, if Billy is running behind, as soon as he scans his wristband in at a kiosk he is told to catch up. His mother, at a different kiosk, notes where he has just checked in, locates him, and is able to finally go home. A child with a wristband cannot leave the park unless he is leaving with the indicated guardian of the group he arrived with.

 

Other benefits

 

Previously, Hawaiian Water Adventures had used hand surveys in order to collect marketing information. Interviewers would ask a group what they liked and disliked. With the current RFID solution, data from wristbands is constantly being recorded by the readers, indicating what areas of the park people frequent the most, what rides are being used and which ones are not. Besides being an excellent safeguard, the wristbands serve as a valuable marketing tool as well.

 

Durable

 

Smartband wristbands are fully sealed and extremely durable. The tags themselves are laminated paper components capable of surviving even the harshest conditions encountered during their use in the amusement park. As Hawaii has a very sunny and hot climate, among the criteria for choosing the tags was the ability to withstand temperatures over 38ºC and constant exposure to UV light.

 

Readers

 

The LPR75 reader from EMS was chosen as it is durable enough for large scale industrial use, yet inexpensive enough for smaller applications. An RS232 cable is used to interface the reader with the operating system. The RS232 links the information from the readers and tags directly to the host PLC touchscreen computers. Parents or children simply check-in with the attendants operating these computers when they wish to locate members of their group.

 

The hand held LRP7400 reader has potential for significant future use at Hawaiian Water Adventures. the portable reader can be used by operators of various rides to scan the same wristbands that are read by the LRP75 readers, insuring the participant is of the allowable age for the ride.

 

These readers are also being used by security guards and tube rental departments at a water park in Texas.

 

Replacing cash

 

Other amusement parks have expressed interest in RFID tracking systems. One option being explored is the e-wallet. This innovation will allow for the account information of a customer to be programmed into the tag. This is useful for a variety of reasons, among which the convenience to the visitors of not having to carry money around in wet swim trunks. Furthermore, rental stations within a facility would be able to keep track of rentals and deposits via the e-wallet. When a person returns a mat or tube, the system will indicate whether or not a deposit was paid and how much is to be refunded. In future, prepaid money on the e-wallet may also be used for snacks and purchases.