- Pay close attention to temperature. A study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology has indicated a direct relationship between high temperatures and incidents of unruly behavior or violent crime. Climate control systems may be pricey, but their ability to positively change crowd behavior can justify the investment in the long term.
- A Netherlands study has shown that when crowds feel closely monitored, they behave. Organizations should consider installing security cameras or hiring a bouncer to keep an eye on crowded areas, even if these devices can't keep an eye on everything----sometimes the appearance of surveillance is as important as the surveillance itself.
- Research queue psychology, the study of what makes people willing to stand in line for long periods of time. Lines can be designed to feel fast moving, important or entertaining----all things that will help crowds to wait in an orderly manner. Amusement parks spend big money making their lines seem faster than they are, but smaller organizations can also make changes that will improve their customers' in-line experience. For example, people are happier waiting in one long line for multiple cash registers than they are trying to choose which cash register line is the shortest. More in depth information can be found in academic journals and from private, queue psychology consultants.
