Queue counter — Real-time people counting in queues
ESP32-based people counter using IR-break beam sensors at queue entry and exit points. Counts people in each queue section in real time, exports to a dashboard for wait-time estimation and dynamic signage. Low-power, battery-operated, mesh-routable.
Problem
Theme parks lose revenue when queues exceed their advertised wait time. Operators rely on manual head-counts, which are inaccurate and slow. Without real-time data, the staff cannot redirect guests to less crowded rides, and queue-line digital signage stays stuck on stale estimates.
Solution
ESP32 nodes with IR-break beam sensors at the entry and exit of each queue section. Each node counts people crossing, exchanges the running total with the next node over ESP-MESH, and publishes the section count to a central MQTT broker. A small dashboard computes wait times and pushes them to the queue-line displays.
Key takeaways
- IR-break beam sensors at queue entry and exit, one per section
- ESP-MESH routing: nodes relay counts without a wired backbone
- Battery-powered, low-power sleep between events
- MQTT publish per section, dashboard computes wait time
Concept
The idea is a small, battery-powered ESP32 module with two IR-break beam sensors. One sits at the entrance of a queue section, the other at the exit. Each module wakes on a person crossing the beam, increments a counter, and sends the running total over ESP-MESH to its neighbour. The chain of nodes feeds a small server that aggregates counts and publishes them on MQTT. A lightweight dashboard pulls the counts, computes wait-time estimates, and pushes them to the queue-line displays.
Each node is field-replaceable: the enclosure clips onto the queue-line handrail, the sensors align with cheap reflective markers, and the battery lasts a full operating day on a single charge. The whole system is built to be deployed by ride-area staff without an IT person present.
Why this matters in themed entertainment
Queue-time accuracy is a daily promise the park makes to its guests. When the actual wait exceeds the advertised number, complaints spike and the guest experience drops. Most parks still rely on manual head-counts by ride operators, which are slow, inconsistent, and easily biased. A real-time count closes the loop: the digital signage updates, the operations team can shift staff to a bottleneck, and the guest gets the truth on the screen.