News

People counters are being installed to optimise the use of facilities

Published: 27 January 2026

During February-March, Akademiska Hus will install people counters that measure flows of people in Alnarp, with the aim of improving the utilisation of the premises and reducing energy consumption. This will contribute to increased knowledge of how the premises are used, enabling more data-driven decisions. In the long term, this may also mean that the university’s premises-related costs decrease.

The project will contribute to:

  • More efficient use of resources and reduced climate impact.
  • Meeting the Swedish National Audit Office’s requirements for higher occupancy rates in higher education premises.
  • Providing a better basis for decisions regarding new construction and refurbishment.

The people counters will count the number of passages in and out of buildings and rooms. The data collected will be used to analyse the utilisation rate of the premises. The people counters being installed measure flows of people using passive infrared technology. They contain no optical sensors (cameras) and therefore do not involve the collection of personal data.

People counters will be installed at entrances, in passageways, in lecture theatres and in other shared spaces. People counters will not be installed in particularly sensitive areas or in offices, and the data collected cannot be linked to individual people.

The installation covers approximately 45 people counters and will be carried out by the contractor Gate.

Kontakt

Akademiska Hus
Questions about the project:

Peter Karlsson, 070-508 24 49
peter.karlsson@akademiskahus.se

MarieLouise Larsson, 0709-64 60 89
marielouise.larsson@tietoevry.com

SLU Alnarp
Questions about the university:

Malin Edner McGuirk, 040-41 52 21
malin.edner.mc.guirk@slu.se

Facts:

Questions and answers about people counters

How many people counters will be installed?
Approximately 160 people counters will be installed.

Why are people counters being installed?
The people counters will give the university better insight into how the premises are used, enabling more data-driven decisions on measures to, among other things, improve space utilisation and reduce energy consumption. In the long term, this may also lead to lower premises-related costs for the university.

The aim of the people counter project is to contribute to more efficient use of resources and reduced climate impact, to meet the Swedish National Audit Office’s requirements for higher occupancy rates in higher education premises, and to provide a better basis for decisions regarding new construction and refurbishment.

Where will the people counters be installed?
People counters will be installed in larger bookable rooms, at entrances, along gallery corridors, and in certain other larger, clearly defined areas such as student kitchenettes and multifunctional rooms.

Where will they not be installed?
No people counters will be installed in meeting rooms or similar spaces intended for fewer than 20 people, in toilets, or in other sensitive areas. No people counters will be installed in connection with buildings that house particularly sensitive activities.

What type of data do the people counters collect?
The people counters measure movement using passive IR technology (infrared radiation) in order to gain better knowledge of how the premises are used.

Are there cameras in the people counters?
No, there are no cameras in the people counters.

Are any personal data processed via the people counters, and if so, does this fall under GDPR?
No, no personal data are processed.
The people counters only measure flows of people, that is, whether someone has passed a specific point or not. The people counters do not collect any information that, even when combined with other data, could be used to identify an individual.

How long will the people counters remain in place/be in operation?
The project is a rollout. If Umeå University and Akademiska Hus are satisfied with the results, the installations will become permanent.

Could additional people counters be installed in the future?
In the future, it may be relevant to install similar people counters in other buildings or to test other types of sensors that measure additional parameters. If so, new information will be provided.

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