What to consider when buying outdoor people counting sensors

Data and analytics are becoming an essential part of life for businesses everywhere. The goal is ultimately to better understand the target audience, traffic numbers (both physically and online), and to better harness the information at hand. With the help of experts like SensMax, that becomes a reality.

Cities and outdoor retail destinations are deploying Outdoor People Counters that use radar technology instead of cameras to measure pedestrian flow in high streets, shopping districts, and public spaces, providing GDPR compliant visitor analytics that support both urban planning and retail performance measurement.

Purchasing an outdoor people counting sensor can be a fantastic place to start, depending on the area in which your business is located. Before you run out to make a purchase, it helps to know what you are getting into. Here are a few factors to consider before making your next outdoor people counting sensor.

Photo credit: Unsplash.

Weather Resistance

There are more than a few people counters to choose from, so it is imperative to stop, take a breath, and do your homework. Each has its own specific set of uses to consider, but that is just scratching the surface when it comes to the considerations you should make.

For starters, this is an outdoor sensor. How will it hold up against an array – a potentially wide array, depending on where your business is located – of weather conditions? Rain is the most common weather factor, so any sensor will need to be able to hold up accordingly. Something waterproof will ensure that the device remains undamaged and functioning properly and without interruption.

It is good to look for an outdoor people counter that has an IP (Ingress Protection) rating. Anything IP65 or higher should hold up against even the strongest rains. The same goes for snow, though the cold that accompanies it can play a role. Picking a device that can hold up against cold and moisture is crucial.

Finally, don’t ignore the impact that dust and wind can have on a device. Wind can be quite stressful on a device. With it, dust kicked up can potentially interfere with the accuracy of your outdoor people counter. Something built sturdily and that is well sealed will be able to maintain longevity and accuracy even in the face of harsh conditions.

Accuracy

What good is it to have an outdoor people counter if you can’t trust the accuracy of its readings? As demonstrated in the section above, a number of factors can potentially impact the accuracy of one of these devices. That said, there are other factors that can play a role as well.

While many modern tracking devices include more traditional lenses, infrared, stereoscopic, etc. the SensMax TAC-B stands out as the industry leader in terms of outdoor accuracy because it utilizes radar instead. The results are far less susceptible to outside interference.

Another thing to consider is the installation and calibration. If installed improperly, misaligned, or poorly calibrated, the device can experience substantial errors. Find a provider that will have comprehensive support across installation and calibration, giving you confidence that it has been calibrated to provide optimal performance.

Maintenance Considerations

Because these devices are outside battling the conditions, they require some maintenance. That said, you will want to also consider the power supply. Solar powered counters might be better for remote locations where access to the power grid is a bit more limited. Battery life should be good in areas where access to a power supply may be limited.

For the most part, maintenance will be limited when it comes to outdoor people counting sensors, especially with the help of experts like SensMax. The better the quality, the less maintenance you will be required to do. It may cost a bit more up front but will save you time and money when it comes to servicing the device. In the end, it will save you time, money, and frustration.

This is just the start of what needs to go into your next people counting sensor purchase. Find a vendor with a track record of producing quality options and make sure that the installation and calibration are done properly. In the end, businesses can benefit greatly from this kind of technology.