Enhancing Pilgrim and Transport Management during Hajj through Color-Coded Stripes on Nusuk Cards and Buses

It is a major challenge to manage pilgrim movements and transportation during Hajj, as well as ensure their safety and smooth operations. This paper suggests integrating color-coded strips on pilgrims' Nusuk cards based on their status and special needs while simultaneously placing matching color-coded strips on their buses to streamline categorization and transport management. Currently, each authorized pilgrim receives a Nusuk card with a barcode for electronic verification. Enhancing this with a color-coded stripe that identifies their category: Blue for internal pilgrims, Purple for external pilgrims, Blue-Green for those with special needs (elderly and disabled) and Purple-Red for VIP external pilgrims could simplify and speed up the pilgrim identification process. This color-coding system extends to buses, where the same colors are applied, enabling efficient transport coordination. Buses carrying internal pilgrims would have Blue permits, those with external pilgrims Purple permits and buses accommodating special needs pilgrims would have Blue-Green permits. The suggested system doesn't require electronic verification like barcodes and goes beyond traditional geographic-based organization by introducing a color-coding framework that enhances personalized care and management for pilgrims based on their specific needs. Simulations were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this method in managing pilgrim flow and transportation during peak crowd times by simulating different scenarios, particularly during the Nafrah, Tawaf and Sai and Jamarat ritual. Results indicate that the color-coded system significantly improves crowd management and transport efficiency, offering a solution for enhancing the overall Hajj experience for both pilgrims and organizers. This study gives a foundation for future enhancements and serves as a model for managing crowded events.