Real-Time Location System Protects Theme Park Visitors

Theme parks of all shapes and sizes always seem to be a constant draw for children, dragging their parents in tow. And at the new Stargate theme park in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a real-time location system (RTLS) from Ekahau will provide comprehensive tracking of staff, portable equipment and, most importantly, children visiting the park.

Probably the most unique aspect of the installation is that families visiting the park receive a compact RTLS tag to allow parents and staff to track children in real time if they are lost.

Anchored by Ekahau’s Positioning Engine 4.0 with a Cisco Wi-Fi network, the system at the park can track up to 10,000 objects within 1 to 2 meters. The system’s software is Web-based, allowing an administrator to bring up the tracking interface on any device connected to the Internet.

“As the first installation in the Middle East for any tracking system based on Wi-Fi networks, we are particularly proud to work with such a high profile customer as Stargate,” said Assem Lawandy, managing director of Wireless Vision, the company responsible for installing the Ekahau solution. “System integration with the Cisco network installed by Emirates Computers, a Dubai-based Cisco Gold partner, is proceeding well, and with everything in place, we will have something truly unique to offer our customer.”

Along with tracking children, tags will track security personnel and expensive mobile equipment throughout the 24,000-square-meter park.

“Stargate is a prestigious and important project for Emirates Computers,” said Haytham Kamel, general manager of Dubai, Emirates Computers. “The smooth coordination between the Cisco wireless network solution provided and Ekahau’s RTLS system offers our customer a unique, cost-effective and extremely advantageous tracking system that will add to the enjoyment and safety of their visitors.”

And the theme park terrain did make it challenging to install the system. Stargate is spread across five different domes offering 3-D shows, a roller coaster and a lunar-themed play area complete with real snow. Other buildings in the park include a food court beneath a glazed pyramid and other exhibition and retail venues.

“After long evaluation, we decided that the integration of the Ekahau system with our Cisco network offered the best possible synergy,” said Maher Hakim, concept creator and executive director of Osus, the real estate company developing and running the park. “We believe the benefits of this system are clear -- allowing our younger visitors the freedom to explore the center and their parents peace of mind to know where they are at any given time. The ability to track our staff and valuable equipment also is a strategic benefit over such a complex campus area.”

About the Author

Brent Dirks is senior editor for Security Today and Campus Security Today magazines.

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