Sensors inform about the use of chairs in public places
Sensors developed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) to detect seating have proven themselves in a pilot project in the city of Zurich. In the future, they could enable better, needs-based planning in public spaces in the city.
As part of the Smart City Zurich pilot project, the Public Works Department and the City of Zurich ‘s electricity company have tested newly developed sensors from the Center for Project-Based Learning(PBL) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich(ETH). The study concludes that the sensors provide “more efficient, reliable, continuous and anonymous” data on the use of chairs in public spaces in the city, according to a media release.
According to the report, the Civil Engineering Office and the Electricity Works of the City of Zurich(ewz) deployed eight sensors each on Münsterhof and Vulkanplatz in August and September last year. The aim was to find out how passers-by use the chairs on a square at different times of day and in certain weather conditions.
The sensors collect data on temperature, humidity and noise. The occupancy and location of a chair can also be measured. In the test phase, for example, the sensors showed that the chairs on the unplanted Münsterhof were placed in the shade when the sun was shining. On the Vulkanplatz, which is planted with trees, on the other hand, they remained evenly distributed regardless of the weather conditions. In the mornings and evenings, the seating options on both squares were used to a similar extent. The chairs on Münsterhof were most heavily used in the afternoon, those on Vulkanplatz at midday.
For the city of Zurich, the sensors can thus contribute to a more demand-oriented planning of public space. This planning is reportedly gaining in importance in view of climate change. The city is now looking into further possible applications.