Smart Device Recreation Data

Abstract

Human mobility data (MD) from smartphones may offer a scalable alternative to fieldwork for Natural Resource Damage Assessments and nonmarket valuation. We test MD utility for estimating recreational demand changes after a 2019 Houston tank fire. We apply count regressions and zonal travel cost models to calculate welfare losses. While this dataset reflects expected temporal patterns, comparisons with reference data reveal that coverage rates vary significantly across sites. This measurement error complicates counterfactual predictions. Economists should use caution when deriving absolute recreational value from MD.