Implementation of a people counting system in a designated area using a video surveillance system
The system was built using commercially available video surveillance cameras. Cameras were installed at every entrance to the facility "zone" covered by the counting system. Additionally, a customized computing machine was installed - its task is to identify objects (people) and count them. The system is designed to provide the exact number of users present in the facility in real time. It performs excellently in building evacuation scenarios - at the moment a threat occurs, the evacuation coordinator or firefighter has up-to-date data on the number of people inside the facility.
The system can be preconfigured for various needs. When it is necessary to limit the number of people in a given zone, once the maximum number is reached, the system enables door locking via relays in the cameras by sending a signal from the cameras. This stage prevents additional people from entering the restricted zone. People leaving the monitored area cause the number of occupants to drop below the defined threshold - simultaneously unlocking access for others up to the specified limit.
The system can also be preconfigured for vehicle counting and used for managing available parking spaces. The advantage of this application over other vehicle location systems, such as inductive loops, is the ability to use it in outdoor parking lots, where other systems prove faulty or ineffective in poor weather conditions, such as heavy snowfall.
PEOPLE COUNTING IN A GIVEN AREA
USING ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM
Solution implemented on commission for a specific Client
The task was accomplished using an existing ACS (Access Control System) from UniCard. It was adapted in such a way as to indicate the number of people present in the facility with maximum effectiveness. The biggest challenge was regulating pedestrian traffic. It was necessary to completely eliminate the possibility of multiple users simultaneously using a single access card.
To this end, turnstiles or tripods had to be installed at all entrances to the facility, preventing multiple people from passing through in an uncontrolled manner. In the event of a threat, all exits are automatically opened. The actual counting of people during evacuation takes place at the assembly point. Additional readers were installed at these points, where each person is required to swipe their card.
An essential component of this system is the facility itself, which must meet appropriate conditions for implementation. The facility must be "sealed," meaning it must have appropriate access logic, have strictly defined entry points, and equip them with an access control system.
This solution allows for very accurate identification of people who remain on the premises in the event of a threat.
