Filling a Theater During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Danny Blom (), Rudi Pendavingh () and Frits Spieksma ()
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Danny Blom: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, Netherlands
Rudi Pendavingh: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, Netherlands
Frits Spieksma: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, Netherlands

Interfaces, 2022, vol. 52, issue 6, 473-484

Abstract: In the summer of 2020, Music Building Eindhoven (MBE) had to deal with the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for theater halls because governmental regulations were having a severe impact on the occupancy. In particular, MBE faced the challenge of determining how to maximize the number of guests in a theater hall while respecting social distancing rules. We have developed and implemented an optimization model based on trapezoid packings to address this challenge. The model showed that up to 40% of the normal capacity can be realized for a single show setting and up to 70% in cases where artists opt for two consecutive performances per evening without reusing seats. The solution was adopted by MBE with significant monetary and managerial benefits.

Keywords: integer programming; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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