Trusted by these customers
- +30% to +100% increase in entry throughput
- Up to 50–80% reduction in peak queue length
- 20–60% reduction in screening time per person
Powerful metrics to reduce queue risk at venues and events in peak traffic periods
When combined, these metrics prove:
Which aligns directly with:
- Martyn’s Law
- Crowd safety
- Operational efficiency
On This Page
Why Queues Happen
Ingress fails when more people arrive than you can process
This is the fundamental equation:
Arrival Rate > Throughput = Queues
What this means in reality:
- 5,000 people arrive in 45 minutes
- Security can process 80 people per minute
Capacity = 3,600 people
Demand = 5,000 people
1,400 people have nowhere to go → queue forms
1. Peak Arrival Behaviour (Human Factor)
People don’t arrive evenly.
They arrive:
- Just before doors open
- Just before kickoff / show start
Creates a massive surge
2. Limited Throughput (System Constraint)
Every entry system has a cap:
- Security lanes = fixed capacity
- Staff = limited
- Space = constrained
You cannot scale instantly
Bags dramatically slow everything down:
- Add inspection time
- Increase variability
- Require manual handling
One bag can double processing time
4. Variability (Unpredictable Processing Time)
Not every guest takes the same time:
- Some pass instantly
- Others require secondary checks
This creates inconsistent flow, which breaks systems
5. Poor System Design (Structural Issue)
Many venues weren’t built for:
- Modern security requirements
- High-density arrival waves
- Continuous flow
Creates choke points and congestion zones
The Real Solution Principle
Ingress improves when you:
Reduce what needs to be processed
Not just process faster.
Simple Way to Think About It
Ingress is like a motorway:
- More cars than lanes → traffic jam
- Slower cars (bags) → worse congestion
You don’t fix traffic by:
- Adding more traffic lights
You fix it by:
- Reducing friction
- Increasing flow
Bottom Line
Ingress problems occur because:
Too many people + too much friction + not enough throughput
“Ingress problems happen when arrival demand exceeds processing capacity — and friction like bag checks slows throughput, causing queues to grow exponentially.”
How Self-Service Lockers Dramatically Increase Event Ingress Speed
- Remove bags from the entry process → fewer items to screen
- Increase throughput per lane → more guests processed per minute
- Reduce variability → faster, more consistent screening times
- Eliminate cloakroom queues → no secondary bottlenecks before entry
- Lower staff dependency → smoother, more predictable flow
- Shorten overall entry time → guests move quickly from arrival to access
Design out queues with faster throughput
The result: faster ingress, shorter queues, and higher-capacity entry systems without adding more staff or lanes.
Traditional Cloak Room vs Pre Entry Smart Lockers
Operational Impact
Case Study
Paradiso
Reduce queues
Increase Revenue
Reduce Ingress Friction – case study video
Cut staff Costs – case study pdf
7 Proven Strategies to Reduce Event Queues
1. Remove Storage from Entry
Cloakrooms create queues before entry even begins.
Fix:
- move storage outside entry flow
- eliminate manual handling
cloakroom inefficiency explained → /pain-points/cloakroom-inefficiency-events
2. Reduce Bag Volume at Entry
Bags slow security and create bottlenecks.
Fix:
- enforce bag policies
- provide alternative storage options
bag check delays explained → /pain-points/bag-check-delays-security
3. Introduce Pre-Entry Storage (Smart Lockers)
The most effective way to reduce queues is to remove bags entirely.
Result:
- faster security
- no storage queues
- improved flow
event locker systems → /solutions/event-venue-lockers
4. Increase Security Lane Efficiency
Don’t just add lanes — improve performance.
Fix:
- reduce inspection time
- remove unnecessary steps
- optimise processes
5. Separate Entry Flows
Mixing processes creates congestion.
Fix:
- separate storage, security, and ticketing
- create clear flow paths
6. Design for Peak Demand
Most events experience demand spikes.
Fix:
- plan for 60–90 minute arrival windows
- scale systems for peak load
7. Use Data to Optimise Flow
You can’t fix what you can’t measure.
Fix:
- track entry times
- analyse bottlenecks
- adjust operations
Traditional Entry
- bag checks at entry
- cloakroom queues
- slow throughput
- long external queues
Optimised Entry
- pre-entry storage
- clear security lanes
- faster throughput
- minimal queue formation
cloakroom vs lockers comparison → /comparisons/event-lockers-vs-cloakrooms