As some of the posts are about having to wait in the dining hall, I thought about it and came up with a different solution that might work. and here is how it goes:
So, we set up a camera that has a sensor for motion to the entrance. That will count how many people go in and go out. The number of people in the dining hall is calculated and can be notified through a smartphone app. So we can see roughly how crowded the dining hall is at the time and decide to go then or later.
Additionally, after installing this system, the data will accumulate which can then be used to calculate and predict the time when the dining hall is crowded or open.
This solution alone may not stand effective, but at least this should improve the condition right now and lessen the stress of having to wait for the line.