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3 ways digital signage can improve lines

Digital signage can help reduce the pain of standing in lines in multiple ways, whether it is by reducing the line's size in general or finding ways to keep audiences engaged while they wait.

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December 20, 2019 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

No one likes waiting in lines, regardless whether you are waiting to get into the DMV or on a roller coaster at amusement park. Waiting around and doing nothing for any amount of time is just mind numbingly boring, even if your phone is fully charged.

Digital signage can help reduce the pain of standing in lines in multiple ways, whether it is by reducing the line's size in general or finding ways to keep audiences engaged while they wait.

Reducing boredom

At some places such as amusement parks, long lines are unavoidable. While some amusement parks have discovered ways to reduce lines, such as Walt Disney World's three-a-day fast pass system, at the end of the day some rides are just going to be more popular than others and they are going to attract crowds.

Digital signage can help reduce the boredom of standing in these lines through a variety of ways. The first is by simply deploying displays around the waiting area that offer entertaining content on news, sports or simply fun facts about the ride.

As long as these displays have enough content to cycle through, they can help give guests something to listen to while they wait. However, if they don't have enough content, they may quickly become annoying as guests have to listen to the same spiel about the ride for the 30th time.

Displays can also deliver more interactive experiences, such as encouraging users to download an app to play a game or by integrating augmented reality experiences.

Giving clear information

In addition to entertainment, digital signage can also help customers plan their trips to the queue. Displays can offer clear information on wait times throughout a store, amusement park or government building.

For example, Kroger regularly use displays around the checkout area which offer information on how many lanes are open, and what the average wait time of the checkout lane are. They also tell user' which lane currently don't have lines.

Amusement parks can also use displays just outside of rides or at a central location to say how long customers will have to wait in line for a particular ride. This information can also sync up with a mobile app, so users can get the same information from multiple sources.

Let the kiosk handle it

One way digital signage can reduce lines is by performing a task that customers would normally have to stand in for.

For example, a kiosk at a DMV can help users renew their registration or sign up for a driving test or other tasks. When the kiosk is not in use, looped digital signage content can play informing users how to use the machine. The DMV can also deploy digital signage around the location informing users of the functions and locations of kiosks in the building.

Amusement parks can also use these kiosks to reduce lines at ticket stands by deploying multiple ticket-dispensing kiosks.

By using kiosks, any business can improve its customer experience by creating a more convenient environment without long lines.

About Bradley Cooper

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Bradley Cooper is the editor of ATM Marketplace and Food Truck Operator. He was previously the editor of Digital Signage Today. His background is in information technology, advertising, and writing.

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