The Lake District National Park should become a "smart park" - where your phone can sense you're tiring and point you towards the nearest pub.

That's the recommendation of a report released today which suggests the world heritage site could embrace the latest technology to help forge its future.

And its use would be varied - from allowing people to view menus and make reservations while on the move in the remotest of places, to sending updates to park rangers about the state of footpaths.

Checks could also be put in place to monitor climate change - and bins fitted with sensors that issue alerts when they become full, reducing carbon emissions from unnecessary collections.

It’s a step-change the academics behind it believe will make the Lakes a better place to visit - and more cost-effective to look after.

Smart Parks: Bringing smart technologies to National Parks has been drawn up by leading experts at Lancaster University Management School.

The report, commissioned by the Lake District National Park Authority, has studied technologies in use worldwide which are changing the face of open spaces and cities.

It suggests the Internet of Things - described as an “information exchange ecosystem”, in this context an array of sensing devices that cause things to happen, using the internet - would be key to protecting the landscape while also boosting business.

Professor Edward Truch, the management school’s connected communities research lab, is one of the report’s authors.

He said: “A Smart Park could open up opportunities for new types of visitor attractions, which protect rather than spoil some of the world’s most treasured landscapes.”

Explaining the logic, he added: “Visitors are already making use of intelligent connected devices through apps like Google, Ordinance Survey and Booking.com for things like navigation and accommodation bookings.

“Some areas of the world are already drastically cutting traffic pollution by introducing ‘smart’ car parking systems, for example, directing individual motorists to available car parking spaces.
Professor Edward Truch

“Research suggests there will be exponential growth in the number of worldwide devices connected to the internet over coming years, growing from 4.9bn in 2015 to around 25bn in 2025.

“National parks need to act now and seriously consider these innovative technologies to better protect the environment and keep pace with future visitor expectations.”

Researchers have also looked at the obvious potential barrier of poor broadband and phone connections in rural areas, with long-running calls to improve the situation in the most remote parts of Cumbria.

The report says new and emerging networks offer the answer to efficient and reliable internet connections. They include cognitive radio technology, considered the next frontier in wireless communications.

Experts suggest developing technology with built-in intelligence and agility to adapt to the environment it is operating in, can offer greener more sustainable options for natural spaces - optimising transmissions to preserve power.

Talking points in the report are expected to be widely discussed, with its authors suggesting running pilot projects and creating an innovation hub to work through the idea’s challenges.

Prof Truch believes that the Smart Park ideal, however, would prove a success on many levels.

Setting the scene for why action is needed, he explained: “National parks are under increasing pressure to deliver more for less and with population booms, visitor numbers are increasing – putting greater strain on the natural environment.

“This report sets out business models and revenue streams for national parks right across the world to consider, that can help address the gaps in budgets caused by cuts in public sector spending.

“The Smart Park model demonstrates how a high degree of connectivity and exchange of information can benefit all - from nature conservationists, tourists, businesses and communities, through to park authorities and emergency services.”

Smart Parks: Making a difference to millions in the Lakes

Fascinating: That’s the verdict on the Smart Park research from a leading figure in the Lake District.

Liam McAleese, the national park authority’s head of strategy and partnerships, believes the results of the collaboration between the university and his organisation could have far-reaching consequences.

He said: “This collaboration creates an opportunity for us to explore innovative technology that may one day benefit our communities and enhance the experience for the millions of visitors who enjoy the park every year.

“Smart Parks is a fascinating piece research and it has presented us with a broad range of options to consider for the future of the national park.”


The Lake District

The world is watching

Global attention is trained on the Lake District after the national park won its long battle to become a world heritage site last year.

That means that any new developments linked to the landscape are likely to undergo great public scrutiny.

And the Smart Park study has already caught the eye of some influential figures.

Chris Mahon, chief executive of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Committee UK and development director of World Heritage UK, said: “The report offers a very new look at how designated natural areas and other green spaces, and the people that visit them, can benefit from the latest innovations in technology.

“It’s about new ways of delivering conservation as well as visitor convenience and experience enhancement.

“This study will be of considerable interest to many people, including

members of the UNESCO and IUCN networks, involved in land and people management.”

Lake District National Park: In stats

The Lake District National Park is England's largest and covers:

  • 2,362 square kilometres
  • 912 square miles
  • 583,747 acres
  • The park welcomes 18.41 million visitors a year
  • 41,100 people live within its boundaries