Removing bags from entry can increase security lane throughput by up to 100%.
Trusted by these customers
- Automated locker systems can reduce staffing requirements by 80–90% while eliminating queue
- Smart lockers process bags up to 4–5× faster than manual cloakrooms.
- Removing bags from entry can increase security lane throughput by up to 100%.
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
What Is Event Throughput?
Event throughput is the number of people who can enter a venue per hour.
Simple Definition:
Throughput = People processed per hour per entry system
Example:
- 1 security lane = 250 people/hour
- 8 lanes = 2,000 people/hour total capacity
If your event has:
- 10,000 visitors
- arriving in a 2-hour window
You need 5,000 people/hour throughput
If you only have 2,000/hour capacity:
queues will grow rapidly
event ingress bottlenecks explained → /blog/event-ingress-bottlenecks
Typical Security Lane Throughput
Throughput varies depending on what happens at entry.
With Bags & Manual Processes
- bag checks required
- manual handling slows flow
~200–250 people/hour per lane
Without Bags (Optimised Entry)
- minimal friction
- faster screening
~450–500 people/hour per lane
Key Insight:
Removing friction can double throughput.
What Reduces Event Throughput?
1. Bag Checks
Each bag adds:- 20–40 seconds
This slows every person behind it.
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2. Cloakrooms & Storage
- manual handling
- queues before entry
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3. Staff Dependency
- inconsistent performance
- human bottlenecks
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4. Poor Entry Design
- mixed processes
- overlapping queues
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5. Peak Arrival Windows
- demand spikes overwhelm systems
To estimate required throughput:
Formula:
Required Throughput = Total Visitors ÷ Arrival Window (hours)
Example:
- 10,000 visitors
- arriving in 2 hours
Required throughput = 5,000 people/hour
If your capacity is:
- 2,000/hour
you are short by 3,000/hour
Result: queues grow
Real-World Example
10,000 Visitor Event
Traditional Entry
- 8 lanes × 250/hour = 2,000/hour
- required = 5,000/hour
shortfall = 3,000/hour
👉 queues increase rapidly
Optimised Entry
- 8 lanes × 500/hour = 4,000/hour
much closer to demand
queues significantly reduced
calculate event ROI → /roi-calculator
How to Increase Event Throughput
1. Remove Bags from Entry
The biggest gain comes from eliminating bag friction.
smart lockers allow bags to be stored before security
2. Reduce Processing Time
- streamline checks
- remove unnecessary steps
3. Increase Parallel Capacity
- more lanes
- more entry points
4. Separate Processes
- storage outside entry
- clean security flow
5. Design for Peak Demand
- plan for arrival spikes
- not average flow
Installing automated Lockers has three huge impacts
- You Increase throughput by 100% minimum
- Depending on the number of lockers and the bag / person ratios
- We advocate testing and flexing your locker volumes to remove queues at peak ingress periods
2. You cut Bag Screening Staff by 90%
- If you had 20 people in the manual clock room, you may need two supervising Self Service lockers
3. You Increase event revenue
- We have a simple event revenue sensitivity calculator
- We can take you through in a discovery call.
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
How would your venue metrics look if every event you:
- Remove the risk of queues and the security risk they pose
- You reduced manual bag screening
- Bag storage handling staff were reduced by 90%
- You increased revenue from Self Service Lockers
Talk through your venues metrics in a discovery call.