How People and Vehicle Counting Significantly Impacts the Decision-Making of Asset Owners

Local government councils are tasked with managing a diverse range of assets, including plazas, shopping strips, car parks, open spaces, and recreational facilities. These public assets serve as vital hubs for the community, supporting economic activity, leisure, and social engagement. To maximise their utility, councils must make informed decisions based on how these assets are used.

People and vehicle counting technologies have emerged as essential tools for local governments. By providing real-time data on foot traffic and vehicle usage, these systems offer critical insights that empower councils to optimise asset management, plan future developments, and ensure the best outcomes for their communities.

Why Counting Matters

Understanding how public spaces and facilities are utilised is the cornerstone of effective asset management. People and vehicle counting technologies allow councils to measure usage patterns accurately. This data answers fundamental questions such as:

• How many people visit a plaza during peak hours?

• Which car parks experience the highest demand, and when?

• How often are recreational parks and open spaces used?

• Are public amenities like toilets and seating areas adequately utilised?

This information is invaluable in supporting evidence-based decisions that improve service delivery, reduce inefficiencies, and align investments with community needs.

Applications of People and Vehicle Counting

Plazas and Shopping Strips

Foot traffic data in plazas and shopping strips helps councils understand how these spaces contribute to the local economy. For example, high pedestrian counts during events can justify investment in enhanced public seating, better lighting, or additional waste management services.

By analysing trends, councils can also identify underutilised areas and develop strategies to attract visitors, such as hosting markets or upgrading amenities.

Car Parks

Vehicle counting in car parks allows councils to monitor occupancy rates and determine peak usage times. This data can guide decisions on whether to expand parking facilities, adjust time limits, or introduce pricing mechanisms to manage demand.

In regional centres and suburban areas, vehicle counting also highlights the flow of traffic through key transport hubs, aiding in transport planning and congestion management.

Public Facilities and Amenities

Understanding how often amenities such as public toilets, seating, and drinking fountains are used can inform maintenance schedules and future upgrades. For instance, data showing frequent use of a park’s playground might justify the installation of additional equipment or shaded areas.

Open Spaces and Parks

For parks and open spaces, people counting provides insights into their popularity and helps councils allocate resources effectively. A consistently busy park might benefit from additional rubbish bins, increased maintenance, or more recreational features like barbecue facilities or walking tracks.

Benefits of People and Vehicle Counting

1. Improved Planning and Budget Allocation

Accurate usage data ensures that councils allocate budgets to the areas with the greatest impact. Instead of relying on anecdotal evidence, councils can prioritise projects that address real community needs.

For instance, if a car park reaches full capacity during weekends, councils can justify funding for an expansion or explore alternative transport solutions to accommodate demand.

2. Enhancing Community Engagement

People counting data helps councils engage with their communities more effectively. When decisions are backed by evidence, councils can better explain the rationale behind new projects or changes to existing infrastructure, fostering trust and transparency.

3. Optimising Resource Management

By identifying peak usage times for facilities and amenities, councils can deploy staff and resources more efficiently. For example, cleaning schedules for public toilets or rubbish collection in parks can be tailored to match high-traffic periods, reducing waste and improving user satisfaction.

4. Measuring Return on Investment

For councils investing in upgrades or new developments, people and vehicle counting data provides a clear measure of success. If foot traffic increases after the installation of a new playground or the hosting of an event, councils can confidently demonstrate the value of their investment.

5. Supporting Grant Applications

Councils seeking state or federal funding for public infrastructure projects can use foot traffic and vehicle data to build compelling business cases. Accurate usage metrics highlight the importance of these assets to the community, strengthening funding proposals.

Real-World Example: Revitalising a Shopping Strip

A local council in a metropolitan area implemented pedestrian counting technology to monitor foot traffic in a struggling shopping strip. The data revealed a significant drop in visitors during the afternoon hours, prompting the council to introduce lunchtime pop-up events and improve signage to attract workers from nearby offices.

Six months later, foot traffic increased by 25%, and businesses reported improved sales. The data-driven approach ensured targeted interventions that revitalised the area without unnecessary expenditure.

Real-World Example: Managing Car Park Demand

In a regional town, vehicle counting sensors installed in council car parks revealed that one lot consistently exceeded capacity during market days. The council responded by introducing overflow parking and shuttle bus services. This not only reduced congestion but also improved access for marketgoers, increasing attendance and boosting the local economy.

Challenges and Future Opportunities

While people and vehicle counting technologies offer numerous benefits, councils may face challenges such as:

• Initial Investment Costs: Deploying sensors and analytic systems requires upfront funding, though these costs are often offset by long-term savings.

• Data Management: Collecting large volumes of data necessitates robust management systems to ensure it is processed and interpreted effectively.

Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) integrations promise even greater opportunities. AI-powered analytics can identify patterns and predict future trends, while IoT sensors offer seamless, real-time monitoring across multiple sites.

Conclusion

People and vehicle counting technologies are transforming the way local government councils manage their assets. From plazas and shopping strips to parks and car parks, these tools provide actionable insights that support evidence-based decision-making.

By leveraging data on how their facilities and spaces are used, councils can optimise resources, enhance community satisfaction, and plan for the future with confidence. Investing in these technologies is not just about counting numbers—it’s about building smarter, more responsive communities.