(Newswire.net — May 18, 2018) — From concerts to road races, cities and corporations alike are often involved in major outdoor events. Though these events can be a lot of fun for the community and generate substantial revenue, they also present their fair share of logistical challenges.
By properly accounting for the flow of event traffic, you can guarantee a safe, organized event that will be enjoyable for everyone involved. But when organizers fail to take event traffic control into consideration, the results can be chaotic or even dangerous.
So how can you ensure that your event traffic efforts contribute to a positive overall experience? Janine Carhart, managing director of Barriers Direct, a leading provider of safety equipment in the United Kingdom, notes that a few key principles will make a huge difference.
Map It Out
Successful event traffic control begins long before the day of the event. In fact, it should be one of your first considerations during your initial planning.
“You have to start by mapping out your event space,” Carhart explains. “Examine the layout of the area you have to work with, and begin planning where each key feature will go. For example, an outdoor movie would require you to consider where to place the screen and power generators, while also accounting for audience seating and vendor spaces. From there, you designate entrance points.”
Planning out the placement of key event features allows organizers to make better decisions when selecting entry/exit points. Research is also key during this initial phase. Having a solid estimate of how many people will attend the event will help organizers better understand how many entrances they need, as well as which additional crowd control products will be required.
Prioritize Entry and Exit Strategies
Line management and security checkpoints are two of the biggest concerns with most events. Barriers are an absolute must for keeping attendees in organized lines. Even something as simple as a stretch belt barrier will ensure a more orderly flow of foot traffic.
This is especially true if people will be buying tickets on the day of the event. Physical barriers will direct pedestrians to the right location for their needs, helping you avoid large, disorganized crowds. Organized entry will also make it easier for your security staff to check bags and perform other essential duties.
Of course, you also need to have an exit strategy in mind.
“In most outdoor venues, the same area that is used as an entrance will also be the exit,” Carhart notes. “Though you’ll have many people coming in to your venue at the beginning, as the night goes on, more individuals will be using that point as an exit. As such, your team will need to gradually adjust for this shift in traffic flow throughout the night.”
Indeed, some local governments require that exits for outdoor events “be large enough to permit an orderly evacuation from the site in less than 8 minutes.” Though barriers may be useful for directing traffic going into the event, they will only be a hindrance when everyone is leaving. Having your team adjust these barriers as needed will ensure a safe and efficient departure.
Vehicle Traffic Considerations
As important as it is to control foot traffic, accounting for how you’ll manage vehicle traffic on the day of the event can be even more important in providing a safe and enjoyable experience. “It’s never a good idea to assume that motorists will figure out parking on their own,” Carhart says. “Your team needs to be actively involved in directing the flow of traffic to prevent collisions and other mishaps.”
In addition to physical barriers, Carhart notes that even something as simple as designating employees to direct the flow of traffic in a parking lot will help streamline the event logistics. “Pointing your attendees to the exact place they need to go will reduce their frustration and stress so everyone can have a positive experience.”
Protecting pedestrians from vehicle traffic should also be a top priority, especially for events such as community road races. A combination of crowd barriers, traffic delineators and trained security personnel will go a long way in preventing a serious incident. Even the addition of temporary speed bumps can help improve safety by reminding drivers to reduce their speed.
A Successful Event
Event traffic control should never be an afterthought. It should be a top priority throughout the planning and execution of your event.
Ultimately, a successful event depends on much more than merely booking the right entertainers or getting a large number of sponsors. As you use the above tactics to ensure a smooth flow of traffic in and out of your event, you will ensure that safety standards are met and create a more enjoyable experience for attendees.