| The key to a proper public guidance system is | | | | on one x-ray detector, or one line converges on |
| perception. No one likes to wait in line, but in many | | | | many, with new lines quickly forming in an every |
| public places, it is a necessary evil. Using the right | | | | man for himself situation. Waiting in a long line only |
| materials, proper signage, and a calming | | | | to be forced into a crowded bottleneck can |
| appearance turns crowd control into public | | | | become frustrating, and your system has to shift |
| guidance and waiting in line into moving forward | | | | from public guidance to crowd control |
| with definite progress. | | | | management-this is not what you want. |
| Depending upon the type of location you are | | | | Making the best possible use of space is another |
| designing-airport security line, bank waiting area, | | | | hallmark of a successful public guidance system. |
| DMV waiting area, etc.- materials should be | | | | Roped or railed off areas where people queue up |
| appropriate to the surroundings. You wouldn't | | | | should have clearly marked entrance and exit |
| want to use a brass bar railing to delineate the | | | | points. Aisles should be wide enough to prevent |
| queues of an airport security area, and you don't | | | | crowding but not so wide that clogging up the |
| want to use retractable belt closures in the lobby | | | | aisle occurs. A single-file line should not be wide |
| of an expensive hotel. Choosing the right materials | | | | enough to fit two or more people because this |
| can go a long way toward creating the perception | | | | encourages those who might try to sneak by or |
| of a friendly environment in which the lines move | | | | double up in the line, another perception that |
| quickly and waiting is not entirely unpleasant. | | | | causes frustration. |
| Retractable belt closures are more fitting for | | | | The final, and possibly most important, aspect of |
| areas like airport security lines, while systems | | | | an effective public guidance system that prevents |
| involving brass bar railing should be suited to the | | | | the need for crowd control is proper signage. |
| space-such as high-end financial institutions, | | | | Signs should give clear instructions and direct |
| restaurants and hotel lobbies. With a properly | | | | individuals to the next step in their journey. If |
| designed public guidance system executed to its | | | | possible, signs should include illustrations, arrows, |
| optimum potential, people may not even feel like | | | | and other visual elements to guide those who are |
| they are waiting in line; when guided by proper | | | | unfamiliar with the language. If located in an area |
| signage through a queue that moves quickly and | | | | where more than one language is spoken, |
| efficiently, it feels very natural. | | | | translations should be provided, and the |
| Everything, space permitting, should be as | | | | translations should be consistent with the |
| straightforward as possible to prevent | | | | messages printed in the original language. |
| bottlenecking. Whether using belts, ropes or brass | | | | A proper public guidance system eliminates the |
| bar railing, it is best to have one line file into one | | | | perception that people are being herded or forced |
| opening. Not doing this is the reason for | | | | into line. Guide individuals properly, and you will not |
| frustration present at many airport security | | | | have a crowd. |
| checkpoints, where a number of lines converge | | | | |