Knowledge is power and measurement is the key to knowledge. Only once you know how people behave, you can make the correct conclusions and act upon them.
In almost all hiking areas in our region we installed pressure sensitive slabs and sensors to count the number of hikers so we can monitor which areas are most popular, which routes are preferred, and at what times of the year, week or day most people go for a walk. This makes it possible, for example, to promote the lesser-used routes through targeted communication in order to spread the pressure on the area which is even more important during the COVID19-pandemic. The monitoring system also showed that the number of hikers during lockdown - increased by an average of 28-42%. This shows that it is important to have attractive areas close to home where people can go hiking.
Moreover you can check if hikers comply with the temporary ban on using certain paths during the breeding period of disturbance-sensitive birds. Economic figures are important leverages in discussions with policymakers to make them aware of the importance of attractive and accessible nature for the (local) economy. In addition to counting hikers, recreational cyclists and horsemen are counted in our region.
A survey conducted in 2017-2018 among ± 4000 hikers showed that 98% of the surveyed hikers are satisfied with the offer and quality of the infrastructure, that a majority visit the region because of the attractive landscapes, nature and biodiversity. We know that approx. 2.196.237 hikers visit the region annually and generate approx. 43 million Euros income for the local economy.
Resources needed
Monitoring is very costly. The cost for a slab or sensor is 3.300 EUR, they have to be read out manually. This takes one person about 5 days, 2 times per year. We are investigating a new system with which we can automatically upload the data to a database so personnel costs are reduced.
Evidence of success
The data we monitor combined with the information from the surveys serves as supporting evidence for the policy makers to prove that society not only benefits from attractive landscapes, nature and biodiversity, they are also important for the local economy.. It is not a general study, the fact and figures are there. We also have more knowledge about our ‘customers’ which enables us to adapt things for the better.
Difficulties encountered
The main challenges were the cost of materials and personnel. The manual reading of the counters was not an ideal situation. With the new system that we want to implement from 2022 onwards, the cost of material will fall and the cost of personnel will largely disappear.
Potential for learning or transfer
The system of counters and surveys is easily transferable to other regions. The knowledge about material and methodology is there and can be shared with interested organizations.
Please login to see the expert opinion of this good practice.
