6.3.2025

Smart cities enhance nature experiences using visitor data

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Reittiopasteet Lapakiston luonnonsuojelualueella, taustalla vierailija.

Sami Heikkinen and Ilkka Väänänen’s study examined visitor numbers at the Lapakisto nature reserve and their relationship with weather conditions. The analysis was based on visitor counter data and data from the Finnish Meteorological Institute from 2018 to 2024.

The results showed that visitor numbers were highest on weekends and during the autumn months from August to November. The effect of temperature was not straightforward—visitor numbers peaked at around 10°C, while on hot summer days the numbers declined. Rain and snow depth, on the other hand, did not seem to deter outdoor visitors, as they had little observable impact on visitor counts.

Data collected with Eco-Counter’s solutions

Visitor data from nature and recreational sites can be utilized in many ways to support urban planning, sports services, tourism, well-being promotion, as well as environmental and sustainability development:

Services, activities, and campaigns at sites can be scheduled according to seasonal patterns
Maintenance work, waste management, firewood replenishment, and similar tasks can be performed at the right times
Wear and tear on trails and necessary environmental care measures can be anticipated

In the study, visitor numbers were measured using Eco-Counter’s visitor counters, which Nodeon represents in Finland. They are unmatched in measuring natural environments, as they operate independently without electrical connections and are also weather-resistant and discreet.

Learn more about traffic flow and visitor measurement