Orlando International Airport testing radar-based crowd density monitoring to help passengers avoid crowded areas

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Even Flow Crowd Radar at Orlando International Airport

Posted: Wednesday December 16, 2020 8:46am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Orlando International Airport is collaborating with SYNECT to install an Evenflow Crowd Radar system that measures the number of people at the gate areas and delivers the information via digital signs and custom lights throughout the airport.

Even Flow Crowd Radar at Orlando International Airport

Variable light intensity and color-coded messaging provides travelers real-time data so they can make decisions on when to proceed to their gate, where to sit and how to maintain social distancing while moving through the airport.

The system uses Lidar, heat mapping/Safe Space, ReadySeeGo, and custom light poles “Social Lights” to provide real-time view of:

Open or crowded areas for social distancing, wayfinding, etc.
Real-time views of cleaned chairs, facilities via tracking cleaning staff with special badges
In-depth visibility for the airport operator to track data and passenger behavior and measure impact

The Evenflow Crowd Radar is being tested at gates 101-109, with the pilot period lasting for several months, after which the data will be analyzed and the airport will evaluate whether to deploy the technology airport-wide.

“While we are encouraged by increasing passenger traffic, we know the responsibility to maintain our guests’ well-being increases as well,” said Phil Brown, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO. “This new system will hopefully help passengers make informed decisions and reduce the anxiety that accompanies travel during these challenging times.”

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JohnDJan 12, 2021

Not sure how useful that is. It's not like you have much of a choice as to where you'll be in an airport. You have to arrive a few hours early to make sure you get through check in / screening in plenty of time. Once past screening, where else are you going to go other than the gate? What else are you going to do? Wander around the concourses with your carry on luggage? Also, you need to be near the gate for any potential announcements. Yes, I'm aware you can get "Flight Delayed" on any time arrival screen.

Rob562Jan 01, 2021

I'd say that if this had been something they could've installed early on in the pandemic, great. But if there's only going to be a real need for them for another 6-9 months, or even 12, was it worth the expense? Once a sufficient level of the population is immunized, I don't see most of the general population worrying about crowd density any more. -Rob

note2001Dec 29, 2020

I agree, it's pretty cool (pun not intended as it's using heat mapping). The problem I see with this is the colored signals are too easy to interpret as "green = safe" and "orange = danger". That's not the intent and one is only as safe as the people around them and how they practice the keys of not touching surfaces then their face, not constantly readjusting their masks, hand washing, etc.

PBJellyDec 16, 2020

I think that's neat.....surely there is more to it....and mass folks need help navigating things sometimes. Gentle reminders are not bad ideas.

SpectroMagicianDec 16, 2020

What a COMPLETE waste of time and money. If you are worried about the virus you should not be travelling, simple as that. If you are ok with the risks then go!