Scheveningen is the busiest seaside resort in the Netherlands. What does this mean for gaining insight into visitor flows, and how can this crowding be measured in a reliable and privacy-friendly way? In this use case, the Municipality of The Hague examined how digital technology, including a new AI system (artificial intelligence), could contribute to better insight into visitor density along the Scheveningen boulevard, with specific attention to the area around Living Lab Scheveningen.
The motivation for this use case stemmed from the limitations of earlier crowd measurement methods and the need for improved crowd management solutions in tourist and heavily visited areas such as Scheveningen. The existing system did not provide sufficient insight, meaning that the municipality and the police did not always have access to the right data to manage crowd levels effectively.
Through this use case, it was examined whether the application of AI technology could lead to a more accurate picture of both current and anticipated crowd levels. The aim was to contribute to increased safety, more effective policy decisions, and a more pleasant experience for visitors, while safeguarding privacy.
Through this use case, the Municipality of The Hague and the police examined over the course of one year the added value of a new AI system for measuring visitor density. The expectation was that real-time data, aggregated in the Crowd Safety Manager, would support improved forecasting of peak crowding and enable timely interventions in support of the the Coastal Action Plan (Actieplan Kust).
A key learning objective was to gain insight into how this technology can be deployed in an anonymous and effective manner for crowd management in a heavily visited coastal area such as Scheveningen. In addition, the study explored how the system could be integrated into the broader safety and management processes of the municipality and the police, with continuous attention to privacy and compliance with ethical and legal frameworks.
This use case was carried out by the Municipality of The Hague, in collaboration with the police and Living Lab Scheveningen. The new AI system and the Crowd Safety Manager formed the technological core of the pilot. Funding was provided by the municipal department responsible for crowd management and innovation, with support from the Coastal Action Plan (Actieplan Kust). The pilot started in 2025 and had a duration of one year, focusing on the collection and analysis of real-time data along the Scheveningen boulevard.
Interested in more information about these crowd measurements? Please contact Jochum Buchener (jochum.buchener@denhaag.nl) or send a general inquiry to the Living Lab Scheveningen via email at smartthehague@denhaag.nl.
View the full privacy statement related to the crowd measurements.