The FIFA World Cup™ is the ultimate event in international soccer, attracting millions of fans seeking a memorable experience. However, ensuring crowd safety and smooth flow at massive events like the 2022 World Cup in Qatar presents a significant challenge. This case study explores how HID, in partnership with Impinj, leveraged Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to create a comprehensive crowd management solution for the tournament.
Challenge
The Qatar Ministry of Interior, responsible for event security, needed to manage over 3 million fans attending 64 matches across eight stadiums. Traditional access control methods like barcodes could create bottlenecks and impede crowd flow, especially during entry and exit. Additionally, preventing ticket counterfeiting and unauthorized access was crucial.
Solution
Continuing their successful track record with FIFA World Cups, HID was chosen by the Qatar Ministry of Interior to deliver a comprehensive crowd management system for the 2022 tournament. This system played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and secure experience for fans.
At the heart of the solution were Hayya cards, RFID-enabled identification cards issued to each ticket holder. These cards held personal information and were linked to specific game tickets. By transmitting data wirelessly at entrance gates, Hayya cards facilitated faster entry for fans, eliminating the need for line-of-sight scanning with traditional barcodes.
HID also provided kiosks and printers for on-site ticket personalization, catering to last-minute changes or media seat assignments. Additionally, thousands of handheld scanners were distributed to security personnel for efficient verification throughout the event.
For managing fan exits, HID partnered with Impinj to develop innovative egress gates. These gates utilized Impinj R700 RAIN RFID readers, known for their long read ranges. However, to further optimize performance, HID implemented their proprietary booster technology. This ingenious solution eliminated the need for direct line-of-sight between the reader and Hayya card, allowing for the use of up to 12 antennas per gate. This not only streamlined exits but also enabled real-time crowd monitoring for event organizers.
The final piece of the puzzle was the Sports & Event Management Platform. This user-friendly platform integrated seamlessly with the RFID readers, providing a central hub for real-time data and reporting. Organizers could monitor everything from the number of attendees at each entry and exit point to media credentials and overall crowd movement. This real-time information allowed for strategic resource allocation and enhanced security measures throughout the event.
Result
HID’s solution successfully managed the massive crowds at the 2022 World Cup. The Impinj R700 readers, enhanced by HID's booster technology, achieved an impressive accuracy rate exceeding 98%. Importantly, the system facilitated the smooth exit of 6.000 fans per hour through each of the 167 egress gates. This case study demonstrates the power of RFID technology in optimizing crowd management for large-scale events, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for both fans and organizers.
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