People Flow Monitoring 2.0: How LiDAR solutions outperform other technologies

Thanks to how fast the technology has evolved during the past decade, today, we have several solutions for measuring queues and counting passengers at public spaces and transportation hubs like airports, train and bus stations.

With the expressive number of technological solutions available, it's important to have a clear idea of what each one can do and how it can be used.

LiDAR solutions are a promising option for public areas seeking an effective and flexible solution without breaking the bank.

Check out an example about how airports are leveraging Outsight software for managing people flow:

LiDAR Software Helps Airports to Manage Increased Traffic

See how and why Airports are increasingly using LiDAR-based software solutions to tackle their biggest challenges, leveraging the unique value of Spatial Intelligence.

LEFIGARO

The Need for Continuous Measurements

The technological solutions for measurement projects have been transformed to extraordinary lengths. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic intensified our concern about social distancing and crowd density. So, counting people and measuring how long they wait in line have become very typical in many use cases.

LiDAR solutions are an excellent option because they don't gather any private data and meet GDPR requirements.

Additionally, LiDAR software can combine multiple LiDARs output to cover vast areas with high measurement precision. This means all collected data can be analyzed using tools to identify and improve behaviour patterns, thus improving management decisions.

Typical Tracking and Measurement Technologies

Several technologies have been already tested for different use cases.

We get into the details in this article:

An in-depth comparison of LiDAR, Cameras, and Radars’ technology

This article explores the capabilities and limitations of each type of sensor, to provide a clear understanding of why LiDAR has emerged as a strong contender in computer vision tech race.

And download our comparative guide: People Counting Technologies

How does LiDAR solutions work?

LiDAR technology, to some extent, is similar to Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) technology. However, instead of radio signals, the LiDAR sensor sends laser beams and collects the rays reflected by the objects.

The distance towards the objects is measured by calculating the time it took the reflected laser beams to hit back at the sensor. The spectrum of reflected laser beams creates a "point cloud" of a specific area, which is the source data for consecutive object recognition and analysis, made by software like Outsight’s.

Learn more in our article about LiDAR Technology:

Understanding the basics of 3D LiDAR Technology

Light Detection and Ranging, also known as LiDAR, is a technology for remote sensing that is used to measure distances in an environment.

This 3D perception layer is crucial to processing LiDAR data and running tasks like point-cloud filtering and conditioning, sensor aggregation (when we have more than one sensor capturing data), object detection, and so on.

The final step requires further processing to meet particular business challenges by computing actionable KPIs and showing them on a dashboard.

For example, if the objective is to calculate the queue waiting duration in a store, the software will detect and track people while identifying whether they belong to a particular queue. It will then run statistics on the processed data and present them in an easy-to-digest format.

The Advantages of LiDAR solutions

While LiDAR technology by itself isn’t a modern-day gold mine, LiDAR solutions can enhance the measurement process of people flow more efficiently than typical queue measurement tools based on cameras with a limited view horizon.

LiDAR sensors also have a broad field of view with a range of up to 200 meters, allowing LiDAR solutions to detect longer lines even if they go outside of the designated areas.

Besides, an installation of LiDAR solutions is less expensive than others in a greenfield situation because of the optimization of the number of sensors, especially in places with low ceilings where dozens of cameras are needed to cover the area.

How Outsight Powers Scalable Yet Cost-Effective Projects

To successfully carry out a LiDAR measurement project, one must clearly assess the measurement and detection installation use cases.

Thanks to Outsight’s expertise in LiDAR technology solutions and the benefits and problems of different setups, whether associated or not with other types of cameras, Outsight’s team can provide knowledge to successfully deploy a spatial intelligence solution in any setup.

Outsight helps customers that need people flow monitoring solutions integrate the most advanced sensor technology without vendor lock-ins. The platform also makes it easier to scale up and brings down costs. This is because the different sensor combinations guarantee the best solution for each use case.

Interested? Contact us to learn more about how we can help achieve your tracking and measurement goals at airport facilities by leveraging LiDAR technology.