Long-Term Quantification of Beach Users Using Video Monitoring

Abstract

Images from an Argus beach monitoring station were analyzed to count the number of people on two city beaches in Barcelona (NW Mediterranean) every hour for 4 years. Daily, weekly, seasonal, and interannual user distribution patterns were clearly established. Two different fit models were applied to the data based on a Fourier polynomial and nonlinear criteria, including external factors such as temperature and wind conditions, as well as predisposition factors. Finally, the evolution of beach users was compared with morphological beach changes caused by natural processes and human action. The results demonstrated that video observations provide a suitable method for counting people on the beach that could be useful for a number of coastal management applications.