Digital Mapping for Events

Advances in Mega-Event Geospatial Tools: During my weeks working in the Olympic venues across Paris, it has been crystal clear just how important it is to have a strong GIS foundation. In the days before the public is admitted, it is a huge challenge finding your way across a chaotic worksite with limited to no signage. Even after the venue is fully operational with the public present, wayfinding across these large venues can be challenging. I find it remarkable that venue staff and volunteers at the event cannot access a hand-held, dynamic online mapping tool that shows resources and colleagues. The civilian TAK software ensemble from the U.S. Department of Defense (https://tak.gov/products) can fill that gap with minimal investment. I urge the LA28 and FIFA colleagues to consider the benefits of incorporating civilian TAK into the venue operations paradigm for our future North American mega-events. The no-charge TAK software client placed in the hands of a staff member with an Android or iOS device can provide the following: * Base geospatial layers with relevant dots showing essential features of the venue, such as Vehicle Screening Areas (VSAs), Pedestrian Screening Areas (PSAs), Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), toilets, and more. * Dynamic moving dots representing mobile resources such as supervisors and vehicles. * Video streams from closed circuit camera operations that track the status of crowd movement. * "Tap on the dot" capabilities deliver information about a resource on the map. The information can be a simple note (e.g., the name of a point of contact responsible for a structure or system on the venue) or a comprehensive PDF. * Visual geospatial overlays that convey information from crowd management systems on the density of crowds in real time. Likewise, these capabilities can be accessed in the venue control rooms with no-charge TAK clients for Windows or the Web. Ensuring all staff on the venue share a Common Operating Picture (COP) will yield benefits in operating efficiency and visitor safety. A bright spot is the high-quality GIS graphic output available at the venues. Thanks to recent advances in venue design software, there is no shortage of richly informative venue maps in Paris. Powerful software from companies such as OnePlan and Iventis could readily emit GIS products for easy packaging into TAK mission data packages. I will share more about the opportunity to leverage the TAK ecosystem at Mega-Events at the upcoming #CIVTAK24 in Washington, D.C., and at Comms Connect in Melbourne, Australia. It is time to marry the world of static geospatial information with the dynamic world of event operations. CIVTAK24 - www.civtakconf.com Comms Connect, Melbourne - https://lnkd.in/eMBJnfsF #SituationalAwareness #TAK #ATAK #ITAK #WINTAK #WEBTAK

Can technology stop the next crowd disaster before it starts? Recent tragedies at large events have made one thing clear: crowd safety must evolve. As we step into 2025, technology is offering powerful solutions that can help prevent crises before they unfold. Incidents like Astroworld 2021 and Itaewon 2022 are painful reminders of how quickly mismanaged crowds can lead to tragedy. These events have sparked a renewed focus on proactive crowd management strategies. While risks can’t be eliminated entirely, cutting edge technologies now provide a level of anticipation and control that was previously unimaginable. Imagine testing your entire event layout before a single attendee arrives. Digital twins make this possible by creating a virtual replica of the venue, allowing planners to identify bottlenecks, stress test crowd flow, and optimise layouts for safety and efficiency. By simulating real world scenarios, event organisers can anticipate pressure points and fine tune operational plans before the doors even open. This kind of pre-event modelling is becoming an essential tool for reducing risk and improving crowd safety. Looking ahead, integrating real time crowd behaviour analytics into digital twins will become common place. This will allow organisers to monitor crowd dynamics as an event unfolds, providing deeper insights into density, movement, and potential congestion points. With this data, event staff will have the ability to make informed, proactive decisions to keep attendees safe. While real time analytics are still evolving, smart sensors and AI driven simulations are already transforming how events are planned and managed. Sensors can track foot traffic patterns, environmental conditions, and unexpected surges, providing insights that inform better decision making. AI can analyse historical and live data to predict where congestion might occur, helping event staff proactively manage flow and reduce crowding risks. In high traffic areas, this can mean adjusting layouts, opening additional exits, or deploying staff where they’re needed most. While technology provides powerful tools, human expertise remains crucial. The most effective crowd management strategies combine advanced tech with experienced professionals who can interpret data and make informed decisions in real time. Collaboration across industries, governments, tech providers, security experts, and event organisers is key to developing standardised safety protocols that make the most of these innovations. In 2025, crowd safety is no longer just about reacting to problems, it’s about anticipating and preventing them. By embracing digital twins, AI-powered simulations, and smart sensor technology, the events industry can create safer, more seamless experiences for everyone. Technology may not eliminate risk entirely, but it is giving us better tools to stay one step ahead. And that’s a step worth taking.

🏟️ The Role of Digital Twinning and GIS Mapping in Revolutionizing the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games 🌍 Last year, at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we saw firsthand how event planning is being transformed by cutting-edge technologies like digital twinning and GIS mapping. These innovations are not just tools, they’re reducing risk and lowering the cost of event planning. The upcoming LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games exemplify this transformation. Esri’s storymap of the LA28 Olympics developed by @Nick Franchino offers a fascinating glimpse into how digital twins and GIS technology are being used to rethink event planning and execution on a monumental scale. Here’s why this matters: 1️⃣ Precision Planning: GIS mapping enables planners to integrate detailed spatial data to optimize venue layouts, crowd flow, and infrastructure placement. This ensures a seamless experience for athletes, spectators, and operators alike. 2️⃣ Sustainability Goals: Digital twins provide virtual replicas of physical spaces, allowing organizers to simulate and test scenarios before any ground is broken. This reduces waste, promotes sustainability, and aligns with LA28's commitment to environmental stewardship. 3️⃣ Collaboration at Scale: Platforms like OnePlan and GIS tools empower stakeholders—from city planners to emergency responders—by providing a shared, real-time view of the event ecosystem. This fosters collaboration and minimizes risk. 4️⃣ Legacy Planning: Beyond the Games, the digital infrastructure created through GIS and digital twins will leave a lasting impact, supporting urban development and future events in Los Angeles. 💬 how do you see digital twinning and GIS shaping the future of global events big and small? #LA28 #DigitalTwinning #EventPlanning #GIS #OnePlan #Innovation #Sustainability https://lnkd.in/eBvdkbnB