Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in behavior mapping: A case study of neighborhood parks

Behavior mapping is an effective tool for the direct observation of the interaction between people and places. However, current approaches have shortcomings that introduce location inaccuracies and hinder micro-context recording of observed activities. This study explores the applicability of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in behavior mapping. First, we suggest a protocol for the use of UAVs in behavior mapping. Then, as a case study, we explore neighborhood park uses using the behavior maps and quantitative information collected from 30 neighborhood parks in Salt Lake County, UT, USA. Inter-rater reliability tests of identifying user attributes (e.g., gender, age group, activity level) and geocoding produced high Kappa statistics and location precision. The case study results show different park usage by sex, age groups, and activity types across different times. For example, we observed only a few seniors and more males than females, a gap that becomes larger among children and teenage groups. User density was higher in picnic areas and playgrounds and lower in lawns, baseball fields, and water features. This study demonstrates that UAV-based behavior maps can provide both quantitative and qualitative data. Summary statistics, along with digital maps, provide accurate patterns of park use. It also enables qualitative, design-focused explorations such as different people-place interaction patterns by user attributes and time. As a reliable and effective tool for behavior mapping, UAVs can support practitioners' data-informed and responsive design and management efforts.