Footfall Monitoring in National Parks Without Power or Internet

Collect accurate visitor data in remote areas with solar-powered and battery-operated people counting systems.

Understanding how many people visit parks, trails, and protected areas is essential for public administrators, tourism offices, and environmental agencies.

But many of these locations lack power and internet, making data collection a challenge.

Fortunately, SensMax offers three fully autonomous solutions for off-grid visitor monitoring:

SensMax SE — simple unidirectional beam counter
SensMax DE — advanced bidirectional counter with IN/OUT separation
SensMax TAC-B 4G — radar-based counter with solar panel and real-time remote access

1. SensMax SE – Standalone Entry-Level People Counter

The SensMax SE sensor is a battery-powered infrared beam counter that detects every pass across its beam.

It’s ideal for basic monitoring of narrow forest paths or single-access entrances.

Counting: Unidirectional (total pass count)
Battery Life: Up to 2 years (2×AA)
Storage: 2 years
Connectivity: Offline – data collected manually via USB reader
Installation: Wall, tree, or post-mounting at 1.2 m height

2. SensMax DE – Bidirectional Sensor for Entry/Exit Tracking

The SensMax DE builds on the SE by adding direction detection. It counts IN and OUT traffic separately for improved accuracy.

Perfect for park gates, visitor centers, or loop trails.

Counting: Bidirectional (IN/OUT)
Battery Life: ~6 months (2×AA or rechargeable)
Storage: 25,000 events
Connectivity: Offline – data collected manually via USB reader
Installation: Post, tree or wall-mounted at ~1.5m height

3. SensMax TAC-B 4G Radar + SPS20 Solar Panel – Smart Real-Time Outdoor Monitoring

For clients needing real-time data in truly remote areas, the SensMax TAC-B 4G radar sensor with an optional SPS20 solar power kit is the ideal solution.

This combo provides high-accuracy radar-based people counting with autonomous power and LTE data transmission.

Counting: 3D radarsensor
Coverage: Up to 10×10 meters
Power: SPS20 solar panel with battery backup (no grid power needed)
Connectivity: Built-in 4G modem for real-time cloud reporting
Mounting: Sidewall or pillar installation at 2.5–3.5 meters
Bonus: Remote updates, diagnostics, and alerts via SensWeb platform

Comparison Table

Feature	SensMax SE	SensMax DE	TAC-B 4G + SPS20
Direction Detection	No	Yes	Yes
Power Source	2×AA batteries	2×AA or rechargeable	Solar panel + battery
Battery Life	Up to 2 years	~12 months	Continuous (solar powered)
Connectivity	Offline, USB data reader	Offline, USB data reader	Online, real-time via 4G
Data Frequency	Manual download	Manual download	Live dashboard access
Best For	Trails, simple paths	Park entrances, gates	Real-time remote analytics

Installation Tips

Use sturdy poles, trees, or existing structures for mounting
Ensure clear line-of-sight for SE/DE beam sensors
Place radar overhead for wide-area coverage (TAC-B)
Protect devices from vandalism with enclosures or mounting height
For solar-powered radar: orient panel southward and ensure open sky exposure

Why It Matters

Whether you’re reporting to EU tourism programs, applying for park funding, or simply want to optimize maintenance and safety, visitor data is key. And with SensMax solutions, you can collect it without electricity, Wi-Fi, or cables.

Data from these sensors is already used across national parks, nature reserves, beaches, hiking trails, and bike paths throughout Europe.

Conclusion

With SensMax SE, DE, and TAC-B 4G radar sensors, footfall tracking in off-grid outdoor areas is now easier and more reliable than ever.

Whether you prefer simple manual reporting or need real-time cloud dashboards, there’s a solution ready for your park or project.

Need help designing a people counting system for your outdoor location?

Contact our experts for a free consultation.