NCCOS scientists are measuring visitation at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary by installing vehicle counters at the Presque Isle access area. The counters will remain in place for approximately two years to record visitation patterns across multiple seasons. Sanctuary partners will use the visitation data collected to inform local planning, visitor management, and future recreation research.
Why We Care
Understanding how many people visit sanctuary locations and when visitation occurs helps managers support recreation access, plan infrastructure, protect resources, and improve visitor experiences. Installation of visitation counters is one component of broader efforts to measure visitation and return on investment.
This work is mandated by the EXPLORE Act, which directs NOAA to improve visitor monitoring at recreation areas, including national marine sanctuaries.
What We Are Doing
NCCOS scientists are installing counters on existing structures, or digging small holes to mount the devices. Counters are small, low‑profile devices mounted in a lockable box that use infrared sensors to detect movement as vehicles or people pass a specific point. The counters simply record the number of passes over time. They do not collect personal information, take photographs, or identify individual visitors. Two types of counters could be installed depending on site preferences and logistical feasibility:
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- Vehicle counter: installed along a road to count vehicles entering the site.
- Pedestrian counter: installed along a trail/path to count people walking to the site.
To ensure the counter produces reliable data, we are working with our site partners at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary to calibrate sensors and download data.
- Calibration Observations: Observers record vehicles or visitors passing the counter during scheduled observation windows to compare their observations to mounted counters.
- Data Downloads: Monthly or quarterly downloads of counter data and notification if equipment needs maintenance.