Visitor Flow & Capacity Manager

Measure the square footage of all areas accessible to the public. This includes galleries, lobbies, hallways, and public restrooms. Exclude non-public areas like offices, storage rooms, and staff-only corridors.

This varies by context. Fire codes often mandate a minimum (e.g., 7-15 sq. ft. per person). For a comfortable viewing experience in a gallery, 25-40 sq. ft. is a good target. For a bustling, interactive science center, 15-25 sq. ft. might be more realistic. A higher number means a less crowded, more relaxed experience.

Analyze your ticketing or entry data. Look for the busiest hour of the day, typically on your busiest day of the week (like a Saturday afternoon). Count the number of entries during that single hour. If you don't have precise data, manual hourly counts for a few peak days can provide a reliable estimate.

This is a critical issue that leads to long lines and overcrowding. The best solution is to implement a timed-entry ticketing system. This allows you to spread arrivals throughout the day, ensuring the number of people entering per hour never exceeds your calculated throughput. You could also explore opening additional entry points or extending hours during peak seasons.

Throughput is a function of capacity and visit duration. To increase it, you can either (a) slightly decrease the 'space per person' if it's safe and reasonable to do so, or (b) reduce the average visit duration. This can be achieved by designing more focused exhibits or creating clearer pathways that guide visitors through the space more efficiently.