RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Evaluating Mobility Data for Recreation Monitoring
JF Land Economics
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 437
OP 454
DO 10.3368/le.102.3.011626-0006
VO 102
IS 3
A1 Duff, Cameron
A1 Antia, Alice
A1 Hilger, James
A1 Horsch, Eric
A1 Merrill, Nathaniel
A1 Murray, Jason
A1 Winder, Samantha
A1 Wood, Spencer
A1 Zafonte, Matthew
YR 2026
UL http://le.uwpress.org/content/102/3/437.abstract
AB Mobile device location data (or mobility data [MD]) are a novel and exciting source of information for recreational monitoring. 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.