After years of accidents and fatalities due to crowd control issues during the Hajj in Mecca, the Saudi government turned to an innovative technological solution to relieve bottlenecks and reduce risks to pilgrims.
According to the Islamic faith, every ablebodied Muslim who can afford to do so must make the pilgrimage to Mecca, the holy city in Saudi Arabia, at least once in his or her lifetime. Known as the Hajj, the pilgrimage involves a number of sacred rituals, and represents a profound personal and spiritual journey for Muslims.
Over the years, overcrowding and difficulties in crowd control have resulted in a number of fatal accidents during the Hajj. One area in particular has seen a number of fatalities: the city of Mina, located south-east of Mecca, during the ritual at al-Jamarat, wherein pilgrims throw stones at three pillars. Despite additional access points, footbridges and emergency exits, and improvements to the Jamarat Bridge - an upper level that was built in 1963 to relieve some of the bottlenecks - ensuring the safety of pilgrims continues to challenge the government.
As part of these efforts, Thales was invited to supply an information system incorporating smart image analysis technology for guidance of pilgrims and protection against accidents caused by overcrowding. The integrated crisis management system allows for close monitoring and control of crowd movements, providing an early warning of any buildup.
It incorporates data acquisition and processing, and management information distribution, via several cameras deployed as sensors at strategic points on Jamarat Bridge and its access roads. The sensors are linked to an acquisition system, which in turn measures crowd flow and density in real time. Remote controlled PTZ cameras let operators in a central control room monitor the situation and zoom in on potential incidents. When crowds become too dense, an alarm is triggered according to different density levels and the operating authority regulates site access accordingly. Guidance information is also relayed as clear messages to pilgrims in multiple languages across five giant LED screens, as well as via four Digital Video Broadcasting- Terrestrial (DVB-T) channels broadcast on TV screens in the nearby camping areas of Mina. While no one can guarantee the complete safety of crowds during an event that attracts millions each year, steps such as these are contributing to a safer pilgrimage.
(extract from Future, Q2 2007)