Counting people

Understanding how a facility/location is used, what days/times, and intensity of use can help inform budget requirements for maintenance, as well as additional capital works.

Council receives regular requests from the community for more facilities, eg dog off-lead dog exercise areas. Data about current uses is required to justify budget for additional or expanded facilities. 

Insights are needed about the use of public areas, eg parks, amenities and walking trails, to better maintain, clean and operate facilities. 

A combination of sensors and devices count the number of people using council facilities, including peak times and dwell times:

• Object detection cameras count and categorise people, dogs, vehicles, and bicycles. 
• Passive infrared sensors use heat signature to count people passing along a walking track and their direction of movement. 
• A vibration sensor mounted on a fenced dog area gate captures real-time data about use patterns. 
• WiFi probe sensors count the number of devices switched on for WiFi. The count is an indication of the number of people, including dwell time and direction of movement to help inform open space planning.

Short-term use of sensors can provide a cost-effective way to gather data over a few days or a week to indicate use over an entire year. 

Dashboards provide accurate, near real-time and historical insights about visitor patterns, peak times and dwell times. 

Mountain Bike Track 

Council is using real-time and historical data insights that identify areas of high use that may require priority maintenance, and monitor environmental impacts caused by heavy rainfall. To read more, refer to the Mountain Bike Track IoT monitoring service case study. 

Regional Dog Exercise Area Plan 

Near real-time, historic and summary data about how often a gate opens/closes at nine dog parks will contribute to planning and future requirements for dog exercise areas across the region.  

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve 

Data provides real-time insights into people movement at the Visitor Information Centre and pathways, enabling efficient visitor management. Barbecue use sensors also offer insights into visitor preferences and park amenities use. 

Caloundra Regional Gallery 

Data provides real-time insights about when and how many people use the gallery. 

Public amenities 

Near real-time data helps council understand how public amenities are used to inform upgrades/renewals as part of council’s 10-year capital works program.  

Current examples include Arthur Roberts Park in Kureelpa, North Arm Park, Mooloolah Hall, Maroochydore Transit Centre, and Mooloolaba Foreshore. 

2023 Caloundra Music Festival 

Object detection cameras and WiFi counters provided real-time information about the number of patrons in licenced bars to help inform responsive deployment of security guards to meet safety and regulatory requirements. 

People counting sensors and devices could also be used for short-term and permanent deployment at council’s other outdoor events, festivals, and licenced venues at sports stadiums.