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How to avoid congestion during peak hours in shopping malls by using turnstiles?

Sep 08, 2025

1. Dynamic diversion algorithm: a smart system that makes decisions based on real-time data
Modern rotating turnstiles have gone beyond mechanical control by using AI algorithms and IoT technology to create a closed-loop system for "perception analysis decision." The intelligent gate network that is set up in Shenzhen Coastal City has three main parts that work together to make it work:
Engine for fusing data from many sources
The system gathers more than 2000 data points every second. This includes data from the gate sensors (traffic speed, direction, and dwell duration), data from the mall Wi-Fi probes (passenger flow and heat distribution), and data from the POS system (consumption period characteristics). With the Flink flow computing framework, it is able to process data in milliseconds. This means that it is possible to anticipate passenger flow pressure 15 minutes in advance during busy times, like weekends from 14:00 to 16:00.
Model for streaming reinforcement learning
A dynamic traffic diversion model trained using the PPO algorithm finds the best way to handle traffic by looking at past data. The system automatically does the following when the queue length of a given channel goes over the limit:
Change the permissions for nearby channels, like letting VIP customers use employee channels for a short time.
Start the voice guidance system by saying, "Please go to channel 3; the wait time is about 30 seconds."
The linkage elevator system only allows important floor stops.
The data from Shanghai Global Port shows that the algorithm cuts the average wait time during busy times from 8.2 minutes to 2.7 minutes.
Collaborative architecture for edge cloud
The system uses a "edge decision-making + cloud backup" mode to deal with the risk of network changes. The NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier local edge computing node does 90% of the decision-making work. Only strange occurrences, like equipment failure or a conflict alarm, are sent to the cloud. This design lets the system keep 85% of its fundamental functions even if the network goes down, which keeps traffic flowing.
2, From single recognition to comprehensive scene perception, multimodal perception technologies
The cutting-edge turnstile uses a three-dimensional vision array to accurately capture and forecast the flow of passengers.
Fusion perception of 3D structured light with millimetre wave radar
Traditional turnstiles only use infrared sensors to figure out how busy the traffic is, and they can be affected by light from the outside world. The smart gate at Shenzhen Wanda Plaza uses a 77GHz millimetre wave radar and a 3D structured light camera to do the following:
Detecting micro movements within a 20-meter range (detecting behaviour like wandering and trailing)
0.1 second speed measurement (telling the difference between regular passage and delay)
Recognising items (figuring out how big luggage is by looking at point cloud data)
This technique makes it 99.2% more likely that you will find an irregular event and 0.3% less likely that you will get a false alarm.
Matrix for sensing pressure and analysing gait
A 16 x 16 pressure sensor array is built into the bottom of the gate. It can collect:
Weight distribution traits (differentiating between adults and children)
Gait cycle parameters (recognising certain conditions like intoxication and incapacity)
Multi-person parallel detection (figuring out if someone is tailgating by looking at the pressure centre offset)
Tests at the Beijing SKP mall demonstrate that this technology cuts down on tailgating occurrences by 87% and speeds up special crowd passage by 40%.
System for regulating the environment
Because the lighting and temperature are vary in different parts of the mall, turnstiles have:
LED fill light that dims automatically (changes from 0 to 10,000 lux)
Algorithm for adjusting temperature and humidity (works well in temperatures between -20 and 60 degrees Celsius)
Structure that keeps out dust and water (IP65 protection level)
The system worked perfectly for 72 hours straight in Chengdu Taikoo Li's summer high temperature test, with temperatures reaching 45 °C. The recognition accuracy rate was over 98.5%.
3. Elastic channel configuration: from a stable structure to a dynamic reconstruction
Traditional turnstiles have a fixed channel design, which makes it hard to handle the problem of passenger flow that is unevenly spread out over time and space. Cutting-edge solutions use modular design and mechanical innovation to make dynamic channel modification possible:
Wing door technology that can grow
The third generation intelligent gate made by Shenzhen Hongshun Meng Company has a retractable wing gate structure that is powered by hydraulics:
You can change the width of the channel from 550mm to 1200mm without limit.
One computer may switch between "1 person pass → 3 people parallel" mode.
Conversion time is less than or equal to 0.8 seconds, which meets the needs for quick growth during busy times.
This technology has made it possible for one gate to let in 180 people each minute instead of 60.
Cluster of mobile gates
Shanghai K11 uses a mobile gate system for short-term advertising events:
An independent unit that combines a lithium battery and a wireless communication module
Use magnetic attraction tracks to quickly put together diverse topological configurations.
Support several layouts, including U-shaped, S-shaped, parallel channel, and more.
This strategy will triple the traffic flow in the activity area during the 2024 Christmas campaign and cut security labour expenditures by 30%.
Technology for Virtual Channels
Hangzhou Intime Department Store is testing a "sensory free passage" system that uses AR navigation and pressure-sensing flooring.
Make custom travel routes with mobile apps
Ground LED projection changes the direction of passenger movement in real time.
Using pressure-sensing flooring to keep an eye on the occupancy of channels in real time
Customers may verify their identity without stopping thanks to this technology. During the trial period, it increased the mall's overall throughput by 25% during peak hours.
4. Technology Fusion: Creating the Neural Centre of the Smart Shopping Mall
Smart turnstiles are moving from being just one gadget to becoming a crucial part of how shopping malls work smartly:
Deep interaction with systems that make digital twins
In real time, the retail mall digital twin platform in Shenzhen Coastal City maps gate data and BIM models:
Simulate how customers will move around with different marketing methods
Improve the design of channel layout and routeing
Figuring out when equipment will break down and need repairs
This platform cuts mall running costs by 18% and raises the consumer satisfaction index by 12%.
Optimising energy management
Gate system that uses technology to control how much electricity it uses:
When not in use, automatically switch to low-power mode (power use ≤ 5W).
Full power use during peak hours (80W peak power use)
Solar-assisted power supply (1.2 kWh of power generated on average per day in outdoor settings)
Testing at Shanghai Global Port shows that this technique has cut the gate system's total energy use by 65%.
How to respond to an emergency
The system can do the following in emergencies like fires and terrorist attacks:
Open all gates in three seconds
Make a heatmap of the evacuation route automatically
Send the fire department real-time data on passenger flow.
The fire drill data from Beijing SKP reveals that this system cuts the time it takes for people to leave by 40%, which is what the "Regulations on Fire Safety Management of Large Commercial Complex" say it should do.