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Olympique Lyonnais FC

To consult Olympique Lyonnais FC on operational planning

Background

Olympique Lyonnais FC recently moved from Stade de Gerland, their home since 1899, to the newly finished Stade de Lumieres, on the outskirts of the city. The new 55,000 seat stadium hosted its first match at the beginning of January 2016. Movement Strategies was commissioned by the Club to review stadium access, crowd flow and systems design (visitor processes), and to comment on operational plans prior to the Opening Ceremony and inaugural football game.

Location
LYON

Client
Olympique Lyonnais FC

YEAR 
2016

WHAT WE DID

We began by appraising previous feasibility studies and transport demand forecasts and conducted a review of the operational plans, including the security processes and queue management systems. We then carried out a risk analysis, which included proposal mitigation measures for the first public event to be held at the stadium. We validated these recommendations by collecting data and making on-site observations during the opening event.
Our methodology included:

  • Providing evidence on spectator profiles, including arrivals and departures by time and transport mode;
  • Quantifying unexpected travel behaviour, including ‘pirate parking’. We also observed the public transport use, reporting against the demand forecasts;
  • Reviewing operational arrangements, including staff positioning and spectator messaging, bag search processing times and associated queues;
  • Recommending the critical success factors for the opening event;
  • Analysing the resilience of queuing systems for public transport at the peak departure profile;
  • Analysing the resilience of car access to the stadium site for various departure and arrival profiles.·        

RESULTS

We provided the Club with independent and evidence based recommendations to form the basis of ongoing improvements.

In the aftermath of the Paris attacks we were able to give reassurance to the Club on their planned increased security screening activities.

Our recommendations to stadium operators focused on how to enhance user experience and improve the fan experience by optimising the transport provision and operation while balancing the flow of spectators into and around the venue.

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