RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Evaluating Mobility Data for Recreation Monitoring
JF Land Economics
JO Land Econ
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 011626-0006
DO 10.3368/le.102.3.011626-0006
A1 Duff, Cameron
A1 Antia, Alice
A1 Hilger, James
A1 Horsch, Eric
A1 Merrill, Nathaniel
A1 Murray, Jason
A1 Winder, Sama
A1 Wood, Spencer
A1 Zafonte, Matthew
YR 2026
UL http://le.uwpress.org/content/early/2026/03/05/le.102.3.011626-0006.abstract
AB Mobile device location data (or mobility data, MD) are a novel and exciting source of information for recreational monitoring. In this paper we analyze datasets from four commercial vendors across three case studies to illustrate some important challenges. Our results show inconsistent spatial-temporal patterns and correlations with on-site counts. Given this evidence, we describe a conceptual model of the potential sources of error and structural variability in visitation estimates derived from MD. We discuss approaches for evaluation of data quality and suggest a range of supplemental data products that vendors could provide to support recreation analysis.