Crowdcounter based event access control and visitor tracking

Event access control based on people counting and visitor counting solutions is a very simple way to monitor accurate visitor numbers in real time, without identifying individual guests personally.

Our wide range of event access control and on-site registration solutions ensures versatile, smooth and secure on-site entry management, efficient guest handling and professional crowd management. One of the key tools supporting this process is the use of people counting, visitor counting and entry counting technologies based primarily on visual detection, without using facial recognition.

The guest arrival experience fundamentally influences the overall event experience and the perception of the event. Therefore, we place strong emphasis on online registration, ticketing, event access control and on-site registration processes, where a properly designed people counting and visitor counting system can form an integral part of the overall solution.

Our people counting and visitor counting solutions are fully customisable and can be easily integrated with our other event technology solutions, such as visitor tracking systems, point collection solutions and interactive gamification tools, as well as with external systems. As a result, our solutions provide a unified ecosystem covering every aspect of the event, while ensuring reliable and fast operation through the use of modern technologies.

People counting, visitor counting and entry counting system-based event access control and visitor tracking

With people counting, visitor counting or entry counting-based event access control, guests are not individually identified. They do not need to stop at a designated counter, and no identifier needs to be scanned. The system automatically detects and measures guests passing through a specific point or staying within a defined area.

The system primarily works with anonymous occupancy data, while additional functions and digital services can be assigned to specific points or areas, such as sending notifications to the organisers or the security team.

When is it worth using people counting, visitor counting and entry counting-based event access control and visitor tracking?

People counting and visitor counting-based event access control and visitor tracking is an ideal choice when:

• individual guest identification is not required (anonymous visitors),
• the primary objective is to monitor and/or control visitor numbers.

This solution is typically effective for larger, open or semi-open events, such as:

• public mass events,
• sports events,
• family days,
• concerts,
• cultural events,
• fairs and exhibitions.

People counting and visitor counting-based event access control can also be an effective addition to traditional event access control solutions, such as QR code-based, NFC-based, turnstile-based or kiosk-based event access control.

In this case, the people counting and visitor counting solution is particularly suitable for measuring attendance at specific breakout sessions, exhibition areas or stands, where individual guest identification or scanning would create unnecessary inconvenience.

Key features – What can a people counting-based event access control and visitor tracking solution do?

The primary purpose of people counting and visitor counting-based event access control and visitor tracking solutions is to accurately monitor visitor numbers in real time and provide a clear overview of event traffic, while operating anonymously.

People counting and visitor counting sensors can be used in a highly versatile way at events, conferences and exhibitions. Installed at key points across the venue, they automatically track visitor movement without personal identification.

The system is capable of:

• accurately measuring the number of visitors at a specific entry or passage point,
• determining movement direction (entry / exit),
• measuring passage through predefined areas,
• determining the real-time number of visitors staying within a specific area,
• monitoring dwell time,
• visualising visitor movement and displaying heatmap-based analytics,
• in certain cases, categorising visitors, such as adults and children.

The system operates anonymously and primarily uses aggregated statistical data. This makes it suitable for occupancy control, capacity management and supporting data-driven event operations.

One of the key application areas of this solution is entertainment-focused, experience-based and gamified use, where people counting sensors do not only serve measurement purposes but also actively contribute to building the event experience. rentiT designs and delivers unique, event-specific activations that are specifically based on the creative use of this technology and are aligned with the theme of the event or activity.

How does the people counting and visitor counting sensor work?

The people counting and visitor counting-based event access control and visitor tracking solution provides automatic, real-time data collection across the event venue, without requiring any active action from guests or organisers.

The system operates using specialised optical sensors placed at key points of the venue. These sensors detect visitor movement and continuously collect traffic data anonymously, according to predefined measurement criteria.

Detection and measurement

Visitor movement is automatically recorded at entry points defined within the sensor’s detection area or within areas monitored by the sensor.

The system can determine the direction of movement (entry / exit) and detect the number of visitors passing through a given point, while distinguishing between adults and children where applicable.

Area-based tracking

The sensors do not only measure passages; they can also determine the number of visitors staying within a specific area and monitor the duration of their stay.

This enables accurate attendance tracking for:

• individual sections,
• exhibition areas,
• stands or activities.

Real-time data and monitoring

The collected data appears in real time on the organiser dashboard, where the following can be continuously monitored:

• the current visitor count,
• occupancy and load levels,
• traffic across different areas.

This supports fast operational decision-making, dynamic event management and the preparation of post-event analyses that can support future event planning.

Anonymous operation and data management

The system does not identify individuals and does not use facial recognition.

Data collection is carried out anonymously, in the form of aggregated statistical data, helping the solution comply with applicable data protection requirements.

The solution provides accurate occupancy data, a clear overview of visitor flow and valuable event analytics in a fully automated way.

Benefits

The people counting, visitor counting and entry counting-based event access control and visitor tracking solution offers several benefits for event organisers and visitors alike:

• Fully automated operation, with no need for registration or active guest interaction
• Real-time, accurate occupancy data with immediate visibility of the event’s current status
• Anonymous operation without processing personal data, supporting GDPR-compliant use
• Fast and congestion-free entry, without queuing or scanning processes
• Efficient occupancy control and capacity management, also for compliance-related purposes
• Visitor movement and traffic pattern analysis to support data-driven decision-making
• Accurate attendance measurement for areas, stands and activities
• Easy integration with other access control and event technology solutions
• Scalable system for both smaller and large-scale events
• Real-time monitoring through an organiser dashboard tailored to specific requirements

Experience-based application opportunities

• Experience-based and gamified use cases, where sensors do not only measure but actively contribute to the event experience
• Support for unique activations and community experiences based on real data
• Event-specific creative solutions that turn dry visitor activity statistics into an engaging experience

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What conditions are required to use an entry counting solution?

  • Entry counting and people counting-based solutions generally require only minimal infrastructure.

    • Proper placement of the sensors at the designated entry points or measurement areas

    • Stable mounting options, such as stands or support structures, provided by rentiT
    • Internet connection for real-time data display, also provided by rentiT where required
  • In certain configurations, the solution can also operate offline, with data synchronisation at a later stage.
  • A key consideration is the proper definition of measurement points and areas, which we always adapt to the venue layout and the objectives of the event.
• For what event size is an entry counting solution recommended?

  • An entry counting-based solution offers particular value at medium-sized and large-scale events where accurate occupancy tracking and congestion-free entry are important, such as:

    • events with several hundred or several thousand participants,

    • open or semi-open events, exhibitions and family days,
    • situations where individual guest identification is not required,
    • cases where visitor flow and area usage measurement are key priorities.
  • The solution can also be used at smaller events, particularly where the objective is data collection, analysis or a special use case, such as an experience-based activation.
• Can the entry counting solution be used at any venue?

  • People counting and entry counting solutions are highly flexible; however, for accurate and reliable operation, the specific characteristics of the venue must always be taken into account.

  • They can be used:

    • at both indoor and outdoor events,

    • at designated entry points, passageways or narrowed traffic zones,
    • at exhibition stands,
    • within the area of a specific activity,
    • and in well-defined areas where visitor movement can be clearly interpreted.
  • For optimal operation, the following are important:

    • proper sensor positioning, for example above or in front of an entry point,

    • accurate definition of measurement areas,
    • consideration of environmental factors, such as lighting conditions and traffic density.
  • For special or more complex venues, a preliminary site visit, assessment and careful planning are recommended.
• How accurate is the people counting / entry counting system?

  • Accuracy depends on the venue and the operating conditions; however, with proper planning and configuration, accuracy of up to 97–99% can be achieved.

• How does people counting-based access control differ from QR code-based event access control or kiosk-based access control?

  • The main difference is that a people counting-based solution operates anonymously and does not require individual identification. While QR code-based or kiosk-based access control identifies and registers guests individually, the people counting system monitors overall traffic and visitor numbers in real time. This makes the process faster and prevents congestion, while it does not provide person-level data.

• Can it be used to manage official occupancy limits or capacity control?

  • Yes. A people counting-based solution is suitable for continuously monitoring occupancy and supporting compliance with capacity limits. The system provides real-time data to the organisers, allowing immediate intervention where required. Upon request, the solution can also be integrated with authority-related or security systems.

• Is it possible to monitor visitor numbers and occupancy in real time?

  • Yes. With internet connection, the system is capable of providing real-time data, supported by a customised dashboard prepared according to the specific requirements of the event.

• Is the system suitable for analysing visitor movement and area usage?

  • Yes. The system supports advanced and comprehensive analysis, with a clear dashboard and visual display, including heatmap-based visitor movement analysis.

• Can the people counting solution be used for experience-based or gamification purposes?

  • Based on individual requirements, rentiT also uses people counting and visitor tracking tools in gamification solutions tailored to the theme of the event or exhibition stand. These solutions help support spontaneous guest engagement, interaction and active participation in the experience.

• Can it be integrated with other event technology systems?

  • rentiT systems can be flexibly integrated with third-party systems.

Request for Proposal Checklist

Should you be interested in rentiT’s people counting, visitor counting and entry counting-based event access control and visitor tracking solution, kindly provide the information below when requesting a proposal. This will enable our consultant to contact you with the relevant details already available.

Event basic information:

• Date and time of the event
• Venue address and type (indoor / outdoor)
• Event type (conference, exhibition/expo, corporate event, sports event, festival, private VIP event, etc.)
• For multi-day events: number of days and opening hours

Expected attendance and arrival pattern:

• Expected visitor count (per day / throughout the event)
• Peak arrival and departure times (approximate time slots)
• Areas to be measured, passage points, number and size of gates

Integration:

• Is integration with other systems required?
• Are there any specific measurement, reporting or visualisation requirements?

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Exhibition booth visitor tracking heatmap:

Preparations for the Record Attempt – Crowd Counting Sensors Above the Budapest City Park Ice Rink: