When you organize events and want to make them sustainable, one of the main needs is to be able to count the number of participants. This can quickly become complicated, especially when they are events that take place outside with several entrances. A short overview of the solutions available to us.
There are many ways to estimate visitor numbers. Some rely on gut feeling—while this might sometimes be accurate, it’s not factual. Another common method is the "rule of three," which involves counting for an hour and multiplying that number by the total hours the event runs. These quick fixes can be useful in a pinch but cannot provide reliable or accurate data.
In some cases, volunteers can be stationed at every entrance all day, equipped with manual click counters. Alternatively, they can be placed near parking lots to count vehicles. Beyond the repetitive and tedious nature of this task, the results can be unreliable due to varying levels of volunteer engagement. While this method offers better accuracy than rough estimates, it lacks the ability to identify peak hours and isn't practical for events with multiple entrances or that span several days.
Charging an entrance fee could provide a reliable counting method—but this isn’t always a winning strategy, especially when you aim to attract a larger crowd. Another option might be to estimate attendance based on sales at food and beverage stands. However, factors like weather, time of year, and the adult/child ratio can skew these numbers, making them purely speculative.
These methods, while easy and inexpensive to implement, fail to deliver accurate or trustworthy results. Technology might offer more relevant solutions. Let’s explore the available options.
Drones can take photographs or videos of the event, providing reliable, accurate snapshots of attendance. However, their effectiveness diminishes if the event spans a large area or has dense crowds. Moreover, results are limited to the drone's operating time. Legal restrictions also apply—flying over crowds without explicit consent can be prohibited. Ultimately, drones only provide momentary data, not continuous tracking.
These sensors offer continuous monitoring throughout an event, providing detailed attendance reports and factual data for post-event analysis. Within this category, several options exist:
A camera placed about 2.5 meters high in the center of the passageway can count visitors effectively. However, this method requires sensor configuration and an external power source due to its high energy consumption. Provided these conditions are met, this solution can offer very accurate counts as long as visitors remain within the camera’s field of view.
This method uses two cameras spaced a few centimeters apart to create a 3D map of the monitored area. Installation requirements and limitations are similar to video counting, but stereo cameras offer excellent accuracy within the three-dimensional scanned area.
Similar to video counting, this technique uses thermal cameras—similar to those used in building energy diagnostics. It’s an effective sensor, as humans naturally emit heat, making detection straightforward. This technology is also used in military applications due to its insensitivity to lighting conditions.
This system uses an emitter/receiver sensor that sends signals to a reflector across the passage. When a person crosses the path, the signal is interrupted, and a count is registered. Although accurate in narrow passageways, this sensor is highly sensitive to obstructions and cannot determine the direction of movement. It’s best suited for narrow, uncluttered passageways where people won’t linger.
Kiomda counters use this technology, offering key advantages such as compact sensors and complete energy autonomy. These counting devices require no configuration or external power source. Using a Fresnel lens, multiple thermal pixels monitor a passageway and detect thermal peaks to count entries and exits in both directions.
No matter which counting method you choose, some essential guidelines ensure accurate results:
While manual counting and estimation methods may be convenient, they are often inaccurate and impractical for large-scale events or locations with high foot traffic. Technological solutions like thermal infrared sensors offer a more reliable and efficient way to monitor visitor flow, giving organizers the accurate data they need to manage capacity, optimize event logistics, and improve future planning.
With Kiomda's advanced visitor counting technology, getting factual data is both simple and efficient—no guesswork required.
Written by mobility experts, our newsletter informs you about the latest news in the sector, our latest news and the challenges of our customers
