Preparing your counters for summer lets you capture accurate and reliable data when it matters most. Get your counters ready with part 1 of our summer counting guide.
Part 1 - Prep your counters
Summer is peak season for trails, cycling, and outdoor recreationโso before people begin flooding in, go check on your counters! To save yourself from a bigger headache down the line, here's what you need to do:
1. Inspect your equipment early
Start with a spring maintenance check. A lot can happen over a season that can affect your counters' performance. Spend a couple minutes per counter making sure they're in good standing!
๐ ๏ธ Checklist:
- Clear obstructions (leaves, mud, branches, webs)
- Give the sensor a wipe and check its alignment
- Check for signs of tampering or damage in the housing
๐ Example: In one urban park, an ambitious shrub grew taller in the span of a month and blocked the sensor of a counter. Our team had to relocate it to ensure optimal counting.
2. Check counter battery life
Your counters need sufficient battery life (i.e. three months or more) to make it through the summer! To be well prepared, have spare batteries in hand for systems that are due for a replacement in a couple of months.
๐ Tips:
- Check counter battery life on Eco-Visio
- Email help@eco-counter.com to order new batteries
- Schedule a replacement before they die out (we can help with this!)
๐ก Pro tip: Counting with an Evo range system? Make sure your counters are only transmitting as frequently as neededโless transmissions per day conserves battery life.
3. Protect against crawly critters
Bugs love getting into warm, shaded enclosuresโlike the ones that protect our counters. Even though our systems are designed to prevent this, sometimes exceptionally committed bugs can sneak in. Bring this chance down to zero with these tips!
๐ Protect manholes and posts from insects:
- Apply insect repellent to internal housing (we like powdered Borax)
- Install fine mesh covers
- Put insect traps inside the counter
๐ชฒ Good news: Being proactive against insects saves you from data loss and additional maintenance!
4. Check loop sealant and tube condition
For counters embedded in pavement, gravel, or soil (like the ZELT Evo and MULTI Evo), summer is a prime opportunity to check on their condition. This also goes for above-ground bike counters like TUBES.
๐ด Bike counter maintenance:
- Inspect loop sealant for cracks
- Check pneumatic tubes for leaks, holes, or disconnection
- Make sure loops in soft ground haven't been unearthed
๐ง Solution: Loops can easily be topped off with sealant or reburied with a protective cover. If you need a replacement tube, send us an email at sales@eco-counter.com.
5. Do a validation count
Accuracy is critical when data is used for funding, planning, or reporting. Summer is not the time to guess if your counters are working properlyโyou want to be sure! Luckily, a validation count is quick and easy.
๐ How to do it:
- Choose counters to validate
- Identify a 15-min window that will have lots of people passing by
- Manually count users and compare with the automated count in Eco-Link
โ Resource: Read our full guide here. If the counts are off, contact us and we'll apply a correction factor to improve accuracy!
Up next: Part 2 - Set up a System.
Skip to: Part 3 - Use Your Data like a Pro.