What Is Video People Counting? And How Does It Work?

Accurately understanding and analysing foot traffic is crucial for businesses, public spaces, and event organisers. People counting systems play a key role in achieving this, offering valuable insights into visitor numbers and behaviours.

Among these systems, video people counting has emerged as a leading solution.

But what is video people counting? How does it work? And why is it gaining popularity?

In this article, we will explore the details of video people counting and its benefits and applications.

What Is Video People Counting?

Video people counting refers to the use of video technology to track and measure foot traffic in a given space.

It relies on cameras equipped with advanced software to detect and count individuals entering and exiting a space.

Unlike WiFi-based people counting, video people counting provides higher accuracy and can also capture demographic data.

How Does It Work?

Video people counting systems use sophisticated algorithms to accurately detect and count individuals passing through a designated area.

The software analyses video footage in real time, identifying moving objects that resemble human figures and it even distinguishes between adults and children.

It then tracks the movement of these objects and counts them as they enter or exit a predetermined zone.

The system can distinguish between different individuals (children, adults, pets) and can even track their direction of movement.

Video people counting can also distinguish between groups and individuals, offering better insights into foot traffic patterns.

Why Is It Gaining Popularity?

People counting software, or foot traffic counters, has been around for a while now. It started with manual methods, such as clickers or tally sheets, and then evolved to include more advanced technologies like infrared sensors and WiFi-based tracking. These methods provide limited and often inaccurate information.

However, in recent years, video people counting has gained popularity due to its several advantages over other systems.

Firstly, it provides higher accuracy in counting compared to traditional methods.
Secondly, it can capture demographic data such as the age and gender of the individuals entering a space. This information can be used for targeted marketing and improving customer experience.
Thirdly, video people counting is a non-intrusive method that does not require individuals to carry any devices or connect to WiFi networks.

What Are The Benefits?

The benefits go beyond just counting the number of individuals entering a space.

Let’s take a look at some key advantages:

Accurate visitor counts through real-time monitoring.
Improved understanding of foot traffic patterns and customer behaviour.
Identification of peak hours and understaffed periods for better resource management.
Ability to track conversion rates and measure the success of marketing campaigns.
Enhanced security through the detection of suspicious or unauthorised individuals entering a space.

What’s The Difference Between WiFi Counting and Video Counting?

While both WiFi-based people counting and video people counting serve the purpose of tracking foot traffic, their methods and capabilities differ significantly.

WiFi counting relies on the detection of WiFi-enabled devices, such as smartphones or tablets, to estimate the number of people in a given area. It is particularly useful in large spaces such as shopping malls or stadiums, where individual device signals can provide a general understanding of crowd density.

On the other hand, video people counting uses advanced cameras and AI-powered software to track and count the actual number of individuals in a space.

Some systems combine WiFi and video counting methods for a more comprehensive approach.

One such system is TrueCounts 3D.

TrueCounts 3D: A Comprehensive People Counting Solution

TrueCounts 3D is a people-counting system that combines WiFi and video counting. It uses 3D video sensors with advanced depth analysis technology to accurately track and count individuals in a space. The system also integrates WiFi tracking to better understand visitor behaviour.

Some key features of TrueCounts 3D include:

3D stereo vision for accurate tracking and counting of individuals, even in crowded or busy spaces.
Outside traffic filtering to eliminate false counts from outside sources and comparing passing traffic to people entering your store to determine your turn-in rate.
Central cloud system that stores data securely.
Customise the block range.
Advanced reporting and analytics for insights into visitor patterns, trends, and behaviour.

With its combination of WiFi and video counting capabilities, TrueCounts 3D offers a more comprehensive approach to people counting.

Read more about this best people-counting software here or contact us at Milestone today.

Get Video and WiFi Counting in One Solution!

People counting is essential for businesses to understand customer behaviour and improve their operations. While WiFi and video counting have their individual strengths, a combined approach provides a more complete understanding of foot traffic in a given space.

At Milestone we offer TrueCounts 3D, the best of both worlds with its advanced technology and comprehensive reporting capabilities.

Don’t settle for incomplete data – choose Milestone for accurate and reliable people counting.