How do queue management systems work?
There are several different styles of queue management system, but the most common are:
Retractable barrier systems work using either floor posts or wall-mounted units containing within them webbing belts of varying lengths. They are the most common kind of queue barrier system, useful in a wide range of situations including retail, healthcare, events, hospitality and commercial spaces. They are simple and easy to use - simply pull the belt out of the cassette, stretch it across to the receiver clip (on the wall or another post) and clip it in to fix.
Post and rope barriers are most often found in museums, events, exhibitions and hospitality venues. They offer a more elegant and traditional feel in comparison to more modern retractable barriers. They consist of freestanding floor stanchions with upper ring fixings, to which you clip either end of braided or woven ropes in rich colours.
Cafe barriers offer a unique opportunity to manage spatial layout and advertising marketing displays. They consist of two stanchion posts supporting a printed canvas banner. Most often found outside events or hospitality venues, they are equally practical for designating a short queue as they are for cordoning off a seating, smoking or eating area.
Why is queue management important?
Queue management is important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, a well-managed queue system maintains order, even when faced with large numbers of people. Picture a large-scale event, with thousands of people arriving at the same time, trying to approach one entry point. Things would quickly be overwhelmed by crowds trying to enter at once. With a proper crowd control system in place, these chaotic swarms of people are condensed in an orderly manner. Queue management comes into place by directing the flow of this queueing traffic; snaking back and forth to make the most of space, ensuring people can easily tell where they’re supposed to wait, and managing their expectations of wait times.
In current times, an essential part of queue management is maintaining a safe and hygienic queue environment. Since the arrival of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2019, we’ve all had to think differently about our social interactions, and that includes queueing. Initially, with stores and retail environments limited on entry numbers, we began to see queue systems outside our supermarkets and hospitality venues - now with larger-scale events and international travel beginning to reopen, longer queue lines need to be managed in a safe and socially distanced way.
Social distancing queue management essentials
Aside from the modern retractable queue barrier and the traditional post and rope barrier with which you construct your queue system, there are a number of different queue management products which can make your crowd control layout more Covid-secure, such as:
- Double Layer Retractable Barrier - all the practicality of a standard retractable barrier, but with two webbing belts at different levels. This additional barrier layer helps to prevent people, particularly children, from ducking under your queue line. Example: QueueMaster Twin Retractable Belt Barriers
- Wall Mounted Barrier - These handy products are available in a range of different dimensions and belt lengths, and fix to the wall or door frame to give you a space-saving retractable barrier option without the need for floor posts. Example: WallPro Mini Wall Mounted Retracting Barrier
- Expandable Safety Barricade - These adjustable barriers might not have the sleek look of a standard retractable or post & rope barrier, but they are extremely practical for designating ‘no-go’ areas in busy locations such as hospitals, airports or construction sites. Example: FlexPro Expanding Safety Barriers