Lake Macquarie Council has installed technology to count users on the Fernleigh Track.
Counter Installed
This important tool allows us to show Council and the State Government the value active transport infrastructure delivers for communities. The sensors have been installed at the halfway point at Whitebridge and on the Tramway Track near Glendale TAFE. They’ll provide 24/7 usage counts and upload data to Council twice a day, automatically.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said anecdotal evidence suggested a spike in the popularity of shared paths since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Shared pathways provide a place for people to exercise, socialise and commute,” Cr Fraser said.
“Deploying innovative technology like these new sensors will help show us when and how they are being used.”
Measuring Usage
In the past estimates of usage for the Fernleigh Track, around 200,000 people per year, were generated from a biannual manual count. However sensor data from earlier this month showed over 10,000 movements in seven days. If this rate of use remained consistent, it is likely the annual total would be around 500,000.
Bicycle NSW applauds Council’s installation of the counter and we share the enthusiasm of Newcastle Cycleways Movement Vice President Peter Lee over the extension of the pathway from Speers Point to Glendale.
“These counters will help Council understand the need to invest further in more active transport tracks,” Mr Lee said.
This data could also help people across NSW. If there’s a track or path that needs developing in your area, why not share a map with us, so we can support your efforts.
