Optimizing the utilization of space in a congested corridor: The pilgrimage to Mekka

Transporting pilgrims at Mekka (Saudi Arabia) has been a major concern to the local authorities. As a part of the ritual of the pilgrimage, each year an estimated 1.5 million pilgrims have to move between two locations around Mekka (Arafat and Muzdalifa) in a short time with severe space constraints. Efforts to solve the problem have centered on utilizing the existing facilities without major capital intensive construction projects. In this paper, a mathematical programming model is developed to optimize the flow of passengers by considering various modes of transportation and deciding on the optimum share of each mode in the existing space.