Answers about the count, flies, reports and the site. Tap a question to open it.
About OSV Count
What is OSV Count?
We're a crowd-sourced web app that tracks the vehicle count on Assateague Island's Over Sand Vehicle zone. We do a lot more, but that's our main purpose.
Is Assateague Island National Seashore involved with OSV Count?
No. They have no affiliation with us. Please don't call them for support with this app. They have enough on their plate already.
Why do some members have a next to their name?
It's a little flair to thank members who support the app through our online shop or by joining one of our volunteer projects.
The count
How many vehicles can be in the OSV area?
145 is the limit. After that, it's one off, one on.
Is this real time? How does it work?
It isn't real time, although it can seem that way on busy days. The count is crowd-sourced: anyone can join the site and make a report, and on weekends and holidays reports come in more often.
The time of the latest report is shown under the count. Tap the large count number on the home page to see the last ten reports.
Why are vehicles in line if the count is under 145?
Most drivers let air out of their tires before entering the OSV area, which takes time and creates a line. As long as the count is under 145, you can drive on right away.
Flies
How does the fly rating work?
Flies are rated from 1 to 5, where 5 means you're being eaten alive with no relief. Everyone's tolerance is different, so treat it as a guide.
Flies are worst with a west wind or little wind. Check the current wind direction and speed to back up a fly report.
Why wait until I'm on the beach to report flies?
The dunes shelter the gate area from the wind. Flies can be bad at the entrance while there are none once you're on the beach.
Reports and location
What does this icon mean? 
It means the report was made inside the OSV area, checked with location sharing. If a member doesn't share their location when reporting, the icon isn't shown.
Tap the icon on the home page count to see how far from the gate the reporter was.
I reported right at the gate. Why doesn't it say “at the gate”?
The distance comes from your phone's GPS, which also reports an accuracy: a radius of uncertainty around your real position. Phones are usually accurate to 5–15 meters, but a fresh fix, poor signal or being inside your vehicle can push that to 50 meters or more.
To keep the label trustworthy, we don't show “at the gate” when accuracy is worse than 30 meters. When accuracy is worse than 10 meters, we add a “(±N)” note to the distance so readers can judge for themselves.
The fix: wait a few seconds before tapping Report. The accuracy indicator on the report page turns green once you're within 10 meters.
Alerts and help
Can I get an alert when the OSV opens or closes?
Yes. Tap Alert me when the OSV opens or closes under the closure box on the home page. On iPhone, add OSV Count to your Home Screen first. See how to set up alerts.
How do I report a bug or make a suggestion?
Send us a message on Facebook or Instagram. The links are at the bottom of this page.
Thanks for being a part of OSVcount.com!