Low-Cost Real-Time People Counting and Environmental Monitoring System Using Arduino and Ultrasonic Sensors

Abstract

Public safety and surveillance are critical components of urban management, requiring advanced technological solutions to ensure efficiency and accuracy. This research presents a real-time people counting system designed to enhance public safety through intelligent monitoring and data-driven decision-making. Traditional surveillance methods often struggle with accuracy, especially in crowded environments, leading to inefficiencies in security management. To address these challenges, this study integrates IoT-based smart sensing, machine learning algorithms, and edge computing to develop a robust people counting framework.The proposed system utilizes computer vision techniques and embedded technology to track and analyze pedestrian movement in real time. By leveraging automated detection and predictive analytics, the system can identify crowd density patterns, detect anomalies, and provide actionable insights for security personnel. The integration of wireless communication and cloud-based data processing ensures seamless operation, enabling authorities to respond proactively to potential threats or overcrowding situations. Experimental results demonstrate the system’s high accuracy in diverse environments, including public transportation hubs, commercial spaces, and event venues. The findings highlight the potential of AI-driven surveillance in optimizing security measures, improving emergency response strategies, and enhancing overall public safety. This research contributes to the growing field of smart city infrastructure, offering a scalable and efficient solution for real-time crowd monitoring. Future advancements may include multi-sensor fusion and AI-powered behavioral analysis to further refine security applications.

Introduction

With growing urban populations and safety concerns, there is a need for affordable, efficient surveillance systems. This project introduces a real-time people counting and environmental monitoring system using ultrasonic sensors, DHT11 temperature and humidity sensors, buzzers, and Arduino microcontrollers. The system monitors occupancy by detecting entries and exits, tracks environmental conditions, and triggers alerts when predefined thresholds are exceeded, such as overcrowding or unsafe temperature/humidity levels.

Methodology:

• People Counting: Two ultrasonic sensors detect movement direction at entrances/exits to increment or decrement a counter.

• Environmental Monitoring: DHT11 sensors provide continuous temperature and humidity readings.

• Alerts: A buzzer activates when thresholds are crossed, providing immediate feedback.

• Hardware: Arduino UNO serves as the processing core, integrating sensors, logic, and alert mechanisms.

• Software: Arduino IDE (C/C++) handles sensor reading, counting logic, environmental monitoring, and alert triggering.

Results:

• People counting achieved 95% accuracy for single-person movement and 85–90% for sequential multiple entries. Simultaneous entry/exit caused minor miscounts.

• Temperature and humidity monitoring was reliable; alerts triggered correctly when limits were exceeded.

• The buzzer provided immediate, real-time alerts, enhancing safety even without displays or internet connectivity.

• Limitations included sensor blind zones, slow DHT11 refresh rate, and occasional miscounts for simultaneous movements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the implementation of a real-time people counting and environmental monitoring system using Arduino, ultrasonic sensors, DHT11, and buzzers successfully demonstrates a low-cost and efficient solution for enhancing public safety and environmental awareness in indoor spaces. The system effectively counts individuals entering and exiting a designated area and monitors key environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity. When predefined thresholds are exceeded, the buzzer alert provides immediate feedback, ensuring timely action can be taken. Throughout testing, the system exhibited reliable performance under normal operating conditions and provided valuable data that can aid in crowd control and environmental comfort. Although basic in design, the modular nature of the project allows for easy scalability and upgrades, such as integrating wireless communication, cloud data logging, or more advanced sensors. This project not only highlights the potential of embedded systems in smart surveillance but also lays the groundwork for future advancements in smart building and smart city applications.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Mayuri Gawade, Isha Raundal , Akshay Rathod , Harshawardhan Rathod, Snehal Raut, Dhanashri Raut , Nandan Rathod . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.