ITFOR and VACAN to pilot AI crowd visualization for Tour de Kyushu 2026

ITFOR Corporation and VACAN Inc. will conduct a joint demonstration experiment to visualize real-time crowd congestion during the Tour de Kyushu 2026 international cycling road race. The experiment is scheduled for October 10, 2026, focusing on the finish area and roadside spectator zones in the Tenjin district of Fukuoka.

The initiative aims to create a ‘smart event management model’ to ensure spectator safety and reduce the burden on local residents during the large-scale event. The system will use two primary methods to detect congestion: AI analysis of IP camera footage to categorize crowd density into three levels, and manual input from staff via a mobile platform.

Data will be converted into color-coded signals—blue for low density, yellow for moderate, and red for high—and distributed via the ‘VACAN Maps’ website. This allows spectators to check real-time conditions on their smartphones without needing to download an app, helping to disperse crowds toward less congested areas.