Outdoor people counting system

An outdoor people counting system is used to count people as part of the data acquisition for monitoring . Management measures are taken and optimized on the basis of the data collected. An exact calibration is necessary for all automatic detection methods in order to be able to deduce the actual number of visitors from the incoming signals (e.g. bikers can trigger the measuring sensors incorrectly).

The following people counting systems are used to collect data from protected and recreational areas.

Photoelectric light barriers

Photoelectric light barriers report an impulse to the measuring device when the rays are interrupted by passing visitors. A pyro-electric cell reacts to heat or thermal infrared. The counting device is small and light, sensitivity and intervals are adjustable. Incorrect counts are caused by game and visitors in groups with very dark or light clothing. The paths must be narrow in order to ensure that visitors are recorded individually. For privacy and security reasons, the meters are attached at the appropriate height (tree trunk or stake). When installing two sensors, not only the number of visitors but also their direction of movement can be registered.

Acoustic sensor mats

Acoustic sensor mats are buried in a section of the path and react to pressure. If a person steps on the hidden mat, a flexible rubber layer is compressed, the change in pressure is detected electronically and the pressure wave pattern is evaluated. The measurement is suitable for people. The counting machine is small and records dates and times. This technique is not suitable for all types of soil and is not suitable for temperatures below freezing.

Hydro-acoustic hoses, pneumatic hoses and induction loops

Hydro-acoustic hoses, pneumatic hoses and induction loops are used to detect and count bicycles. Hydro-acoustic and pneumatic hoses are filled with frost-resistant liquid or gas and are buried under the path at a depth of a few centimeters. They react to the pressure caused by bicycles and send waves to a piezo sensor, which converts them into electrical measurement signals. A detection of the direction of travel is possible when installing two hoses. The induction loop consists of a diamond-shaped wire coil. This is let into the lane a few centimeters deep. If a metallic object moves over the induction loop, an electric current is induced. This is evaluated by the data logger.

Seismic counting devices

The counts are recorded by pressure release from buried sensors and transmitted to a data measuring device. The output also includes a date and time. The counting device is easy to hide, small and light, not very sensitive to the weather and, if properly calibrated, can also record bicycles. This technique is not suitable for all types of soil and is not suitable for temperatures below freezing.

Radar systems

Radar systems use emitted radar waves to measure changes in reflection. Shapes can be distinguished. However, visitors in groups cannot be counted well.

Camera recordings

The route utilization can be recorded using photo or video cameras . The evaluation of the mostly large amount of data is still relatively complex, but could also be done using software. The problem of data protection for photos of people can possibly be solved with blur filters or with distance photos.

Remote sensing methods

Using remote sensing methods , people can be recognized and counted in aerial photographs . If several aerial images are available at short intervals, the walking directions can be evaluated. The advantage is that it can accommodate visitor numbers over large areas. However, only open, non-forested areas can be evaluated.

GPS records

GPS records of the routes taken enable the most popular routes, route utilization and the speed of the visitors to be determined. The visitors are given GPS loggers that record their movement over a period of up to two weeks.

Turnstiles

Turnstiles are a mechanical method of entering protected areas. They are easy to set up and have low costs. The counts are often too high due to misuse or lack of maintenance. Because of the high susceptibility to wear and tear and the lack of information about the date and time of visitor registration, this method is out of date and irrelevant.

literature

M. Campbell: Monitoring Trail Use with Digital Still Cameras: Strengths, Limitations and Proposed Resolutions. In: D. Siegrist, C. Clivaz, M. Hunziker, S. Iten (Eds.): Explorin the Nature of Management. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Monitoring and Management of Visitor Flows in Recreational and Protected Areas. Rapperswil 2006.
G. Cessford, S. Cockburn, M. Douglas: Developing New Visitor Counters and their Applications for Management. In: A. Arnberger, C. Brandenburg, A. Muhar (Eds.): Monitoring and Management of Visitor Flows in Recreational and Protected Areas. Conference Proceedings. 2002, pp. 14-20.
G. Cessford, A. Muhar: Monitoring options for visitor numbers in national parks and natural areas. In: Journal for Nature Conservation. 11, 2003, pp. 240-250.
R. Rupf-Haller, M. Wernli, F. Filli: Visitor Counting with Acoustic Slab Sensors in the Swiss National Park. In: D. Siegrist, C. Clivaz, M. Hunziker, S. Iten (Eds.): Explorin the Nature of Management. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Monitoring and Management of Visitor Flows in Recreational and Protected Areas. Rapperswil 2006.