The Line of Least Resistance
Contents
Project Overview
On a warm Saturday afternoon, Andrew found himself still waiting 30 minutes after his scheduled trip up the iconic St. Louis arch. Reflecting on the experience weeks later with fellow Systems Science and Engineering student Devon, they hypothesized there had to be a more efficient way to run the system by fixing how they manage the masses with their queues.
We aim to analyze the system and devise a method to decrease the waiting time for visitors by observing the current system and simulating both the current system and potential new ones, while keeping in mind restrictions such as cost, limited space in the capsules, and limited space at viewing area at the top. We hope to find a successful method for the Arch and to apply it to other tourist attractions or systems that also include queueing.
Team Members
- Devon Essick
- Andrew Sweren
- Kjartan Brownell (TA)
Objectives
Note: Each objective depends on the success of the first one.
- Create an application that accurately suggests how to most efficiently (in terms of minimal delay time) set up queues on a given day at a tourist attraction
- Expand the application in order to be useful to other companies that aim to minimize delay time.
- Expand application to be able to minimize wait time as well as delay time
Challenges
- Collaboration with the officials
- Getting to the from the Arch
- Creating realistic models of the system based on data restricted by limited visits
- Learning simulation software
- Identifying system issues as an outsider
- Security, space and safety limitations at Arch
- Implications of changing current practices (e.g. taking away security might make things faster, but what are the risks involved?)
- Adapting to changing constraints
Budget
- Trip to the Arch for observation - $26
- Monitor and peripherals for demo (available from Urbauer 015) - $0
Total: $26
Gantt Chart
