How People Counters Are Transforming Public Spaces in Australia: Insights from Farmo’s Outdoor People Counter
As Australian councils and organisations seek smarter ways to manage public spaces, people counters and advanced people counting systems are becoming essential tools for data-driven decision-making. Farmo’s People Counter is at the forefront of this movement, providing robust, reliable, and privacy-conscious solutions for outdoor people counting across parks, trails, city centres, and more.
What Is a People Counter and How Does It Work?
A people counter (also known as a people counting sensor or people counting system) is an electronic device that automatically counts the number of people passing a specific point. Farmo’s people counter uses a bi-directional infrared sensor to detect and count people moving in both directions, making it ideal for outdoor environments and high-traffic public spaces.
Key Features of Farmo’s People Counter:
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Outdoor-ready: Weatherproof and tamper-resistant for reliable operation in parks, trails, and city streets.
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Bi-directional counting: Accurately distinguishes between entries and exits.
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LoRaWAN connectivity: Enables remote monitoring and real-time data reporting.
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Battery-powered: Long battery life for low-maintenance operation.
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Privacy-focused: No cameras or personal data collected—just anonymous counting.
How Are Councils Using People Counters in Australia?
City and Shire Councils across Australia are increasingly adopting people counting technology to better understand how public assets are used and to optimise resource allocation. Here are some notable examples:
City of Melbourne
The City of Melbourne has deployed a network of electronic people counters across the CBD, including along Swanston Street, the Yarra River, Docklands, and near Parliament Station. These infrared people counters provide real-time data on pedestrian flows, helping the council plan for events, manage infrastructure, and improve public safety. The data is made publicly available, supporting transparency and community engagement1.
City of Greater Geelong
Greater Geelong utilises people counting sensors to monitor the use of public spaces and facilities, supporting better planning and maintenance scheduling. These insights help the council allocate cleaning and staffing resources more efficiently and justify investments in community infrastructure2.
Great Ocean Road and Queensland Councils
Councils along the Great Ocean Road and in Queensland have embraced outdoor people counters to monitor visitor numbers at key tourist destinations, parks, and trails. This data informs maintenance schedules, infrastructure planning, and supports tourism management, ensuring that public spaces remain welcoming and well-maintained for both locals and visitors3.
City of Monash
The City of Monash has installed people counter sensors and object detection devices in major precincts and reserves to track usage patterns. This information is vital for understanding the impact of construction projects, facility upgrades, and community events. Importantly, these sensor people counters ensure privacy by collecting only anonymous data—no images or personal information4.
Benefits of People Counting Technology for Councils
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Optimise resource allocation: Efficiently schedule cleaning, maintenance, and staffing based on real usage data.
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Support infrastructure planning: Use accurate visitor counts to justify upgrades, funding, and new facilities.
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Improve public safety: Monitor crowd density and flow to enhance safety during events or emergencies.
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Enhance community engagement: Share usage data with the public to demonstrate transparency and inform community discussions.
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Enable smart city initiatives: Integrate with IoT platforms for holistic urban management.
Why Choose Farmo’s People Counter Solution?
Farmo’s People Counter stands out as an intelligent, reliable, and easy-to-deploy solution for councils and organisations seeking to harness the power of people counting technology. With its robust outdoor design, accurate bidirectional counting, and LoRaWAN connectivity, it’s the ideal choice for:
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Parks and gardens
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Shared trails and bike paths
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City centres and shopping precincts
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Public toilets and facilities
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Events and festivals
Conclusion
From Melbourne to Geelong, the Great Ocean Road to Queensland, and beyond, councils across Australia are leveraging people counters and people counting sensors to create smarter, safer, and more responsive public spaces. Farmo’s people counting solution delivers the data you need—securely, accurately, and with total respect for privacy.
Ready to make data-driven decisions for your public spaces?
