Public Spaces. Outdoor people counting with TAC-B radar sensors

Outdoor public spaces are constantly changing – people gather at festivals, stroll along promenades, visit markets, or relax at beaches and monuments. Understanding how visitors move and interact with these areas is essential for improving infrastructure, ensuring cleanliness, and planning investments. SensMax TAC-B radar sensors deliver precise, anonymous statistics about outdoor visitor flow, even in remote or unpowered locations.

 

Why people counting matters

Reliable visitor statistics help authorities and event organizers plan and evaluate the use of open spaces. Knowing how many people visit, when peak hours occur, and which areas attract the most attention brings tangible benefits:

• Measure attendance and engagement at outdoor events and festivals.
• Plan cleaning, lighting, and maintenance based on real visitor traffic.
• Evaluate marketing or tourism initiatives and justify funding requests.
• Support crowd management and operational efficiency at large venues.
• Monitor usage trends in public areas for Smart City analytics.

How it works

SensMax TAC-B radar sensors use 60 GHz mmWave technology to detect movement, direction, and speed without cameras or image recording. This ensures complete GDPR compliance and privacy for all visitors. The sensor covers up to 10 m distance with a 120° viewing angle, accurately distinguishing between pedestrians, cyclists, and scooters. It automatically classifies objects by movement speed, helping to separate walking visitors from faster traffic such as cyclists or joggers. All data are transferred via 4G or Wi-Fi to the SensMax Cloud dashboard or to external systems through MQTT and API integration, enabling seamless use in Smart City projects.

Key benefits

• Multi-purpose. Suitable for beaches, plazas, events, markets, and heritage sites.
• High accuracy. 95-98 % under normal conditions, unaffected by light or weather.
• Fully privacy-safe. No filming or personal data processing, 100 % GDPR compliant.
• Autonomous operation. Works withthe  optional SPS20 solar power kit for off-grid installations.
• Real-time analytics. Cloud dashboard with live visitor statistics and automated reports.
• Flexible installation. Mounts on lamp posts, gates, or temporary structures.
• Maintenance-free. After setup, the system runs automatically with no regular maintenance required.

 

Use case examples

• Beaches and waterfronts. Count daily visitors and monitor seasonal trends to plan maintenance and lifeguard shifts.
• Outdoor festivals and markets. Measure visitor numbers and event performance with real-time dashboards.
• Pedestrian streets and city plazas. Understand traffic flow to improve design, lighting, and safety.
• Tourist and heritage sites. Evaluate visitor pressure on open-air monuments and historic grounds.
• Public transport areas. Count people at bus or tram stops and outdoor station forecourts.

 

 

Performance and accuracy

Each TAC-B radar sensor covers an area of approximately 100 m², distinguishing direction and movement with up to 98 % accuracy. The device maintains consistent performance in rain, fog, snow, bright sunlight, and complete darkness. Recommended mounting height is 2.5-3 m for optimal detection.

Integration and data analytics

The SensMax Cloud platform provides interactive graphs and detailed reports. Data can be viewed online or automatically delivered to email. The platform also supports external integration via API or MQTT to connect visitor data with city information systems, GIS maps, or environmental dashboards.

Installation

The TAC-B radar sensor is mounted on lamp posts, gates, or poles at 2.5-3 m height. The SPS20 solar kit is factory pre-wired – installation only requires fixing the units and adjusting the solar panel toward the sun. Sensor setup is done from a mobile phone. With IP67 protection and -20 °C … +65 °C operating range, the system runs autonomously after installation without regular maintenance.

 

 

FAQ Common questions

1. Where can TAC-B sensors be used outdoors?
They are suitable for parks, beaches, pedestrian streets, tourist areas, and event venues – anywhere accurate, anonymous people counting is needed.

2. How is data transmitted?
Via 4G or Wi-Fi connection directly to SensMax Cloud, or through MQTT/API integration with Smart City platforms.

3. Do sensors require external power?
No, they can run from the SPS20 solar kit for full independence from grid power.

4. Is performance affected by weather?
No, TAC-B sensors are IP67-rated and operate in rain, snow, fog, sunlight, and total darkness.

5. How often do they need maintenance?
After installation and setup, no regular maintenance is required.