I have to say, I have mixed feelings about this, too. But the seemingly ever-growing visitor use on the Trail is (at times) a significant issue. If we are going to actually try and address it, we need some hard data to share with our management partners (and hikers) as we decide if, how, and when anything can or should be done about it. It's an extremely complex issue that will need some thoughtful attention. For more info, see:
https://visitorusemanagement.nps.gov/VUM/Framework
If our initial data proves to be helpful, it may be more efficient (and less icky) to use "dumb" sensors that just detect movement past a certain point (CT does this already), but it's difficult to determine direction (and the difference between hikers and other mammals) w/o multiple sensor points. We are making a durable label (it's just tape for now) and will prominently place them on the camera.
In the past 3 weeks, we've had 46 overnight visitors, with a max of 9 on one night. 7 nights w/o visitors. Camp season has not started and just the leading edge of NB thruhikers is arriving now.
Cosmo