Four Cameras at Es Trenc to Measure Occupancy Levels During Peak Tourist Seasons

The government has installed four cameras at various points in Es Trenc to measure occupancy levels during peak tourist seasons. IB Digital is finalizing the installation of sensors at Cala en Turqueta in Menorca and at Ses Salines beach in Ibiza.

On Thursday in Es Trenc, the Vice President and Minister of Economy, Finance, and Innovation of the Balearic Islands Government, Antoni Costa, presented the pilot plan for the sensorization of natural areas with high tourist traffic to measure their occupancy levels in real time using cameras. The presentation was also attended by the Director General of Natural Environment and Forest Management, Ana Torres; the manager of the Balearic Agency for Digitalization, Cybersecurity, and Telecommunications (IB Digital), Miquel Cardona; and the Mayor of Campos, Xisca Porquer.

In Es Trenc, IB Digital has installed four cameras: at the Ses Covetes entrance, the Colònia de Sant Jordi entrance, the facade of the salt flats, and the hut located after the parking area. Using various technologies, such as Wi-Fi sensors and motion sensors, it will be possible to determine both the number of cars in the parking lot and the number of people in the area. This pilot plan is the result of collaboration between IB Digital and the IoTIB Laboratory of the University of the Balearic Islands.

“We said that the first thing we needed for management is data, and this pilot test will allow us to measure the congestion level of the natural area and the Es Trenc beach. We want to obtain information for decision-making,” highlighted Costa.

Es Trenc is one of the three natural areas to be equipped with sensors in the first phase of the pilot plan, along with Cala en Turqueta in Menorca and Ses Salines beach in Ibiza, where IB Digital is finalizing the installation of the respective cameras. The goal for next year is to maximize the number of sensorized areas and beaches to collect as much data as possible. “We envision a future where any citizen can know in real time the level of congestion of any natural area or beach,” stated the Vice President of the Government.

“We need to know the times and places where congestion episodes occur to take regulatory measures. We are in the process of creating working groups within the social and political pact for the sustainability of the Balearic Islands, and one of them focuses on studying the factors that cause congestion. Once identified, we will make various decisions,” explained the Director General of Natural Environment and Forest Management.

Finally, Xisca Porquer announced that the Campos Town Council has a project to improve the Es Trenc road, enhance accessibility, and prevent potential incidents due to the significant number of visitors.