The Human Factor in Ride Safety and Queue Design

Overview:

In the latest episode of “Live with Sondra,” Gatemaster CEO Sondra Shannon sat down with Neil Wilson, Senior Consultant at Universal Verification, to discuss the critical role of human behavior in ride safety and queue management. 

5 Insights from This Live

1. Ride Operators Are the Key to Safety: Despite advancements in automated ride systems, human operators remain crucial in ensuring guest safety and responding to unpredictable situations.
2. Queue Management Is a Science: Managing lines effectively requires strategies like balancing attendance peaks, optimizing guest flow, and leveraging technology such as RFID and AI.
3. AI Is Transforming Ride Operations: Parks are increasingly using AI to predict maintenance needs and reduce downtime, ultimately improving reliability and efficiency.
4. Stress Affects Both Operators and Guests: High-pressure environments can lead to mistakes, longer queues, and reduced guest satisfaction, emphasizing the need for well-designed workspaces and training.
5. Industry-Wide Collaboration Is Vital: By continuing discussions on safety and efficiency, amusement park professionals can create better, more enjoyable guest experiences.

5 Notable Quotes:

1. “An assumption is that the more confident someone is, the safer they’re going to be, but when you look at studies, the inverse can often be true.”
   – Neil Wilson
2. “The accident rate for employees tends to be significantly higher than for visitors in theme parks.”
   – Neil Wilson
3. “For many parks, queuing is the biggest source of complaints.”
   – Neil Wilson
4. “The reason young drivers have a lot of car accidents is something to do with other people in the car. That might be because they’re distracting them, because of peer pressure, or something else. And I suppose that gives us some lessons that we can take to theme park rides. There’s not loads of data about theme park safety, so if we want to learn about the human factors in accidents, we often need to take data from other areas.”
   – Neil Wilson
5. “If you have the control box next to the queue line, it’s very easy for people in the queue to distract the operator. I often think it’s good practice to have the control panel away from where the guests are.”
   – Neil Wilson

Universal Verification’s Approach

As a Senior Consultant at Universal Verification, Neil Wilson works with amusement parks  to optimize operations through data-driven insights and advanced technology. His  expertise spans ride safety analysis, queue management, and efficiency strategies,  helping parks enhance guest experiences while maintaining safety standards.

Neil Wilson’s Preferences and Technology

Neil is a strong advocate for integrating AI and predictive analytics into ride operations. He emphasizes the importance of using historical data to anticipate maintenance issues and optimize guest movement. Additionally, he supports the use of RFID and Bluetooth technology to improve dispatching in water parks and ride queue efficiency.

Sondra’s Perspective

As the CEO of Gatemaster Technology, Sondra Shannon consistently champions innovative solutions for theme park operations. She highlights the growing need for parks to balance safety with efficiency and guest satisfaction. She also recognizes the importance of industry-wide discussions, like this one, in fostering progress and continuous improvement.

Improving Guest Experience

With long queues being a top complaint among park visitors, Neil and Sondra stress the importance of strategic queue management. Solutions like AI-powered apps, smart guest flow distribution, and efficient ride throughput can significantly enhance visitor satisfaction.

Creating Memories and a Guest-Centric Culture

Theme parks are about more than just rides; they are about creating unforgettable experiences. By focusing on safety, efficiency, and stress reduction for both guests and staff, parks can foster a culture where visitors leave with lasting positive memories.

Gatemaster’s Guests’ Appreciation and Value

At Gatemaster, we value the insights of industry leaders like Neil Wilson, whose expertise  helps shape the future of amusement park operations. Our mission is to provide cutting edge technology that enhances efficiency and guest satisfaction across the industry. 

Connecting with the Speakers

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