A longitudinal study of the occupancy patterns of a university library building using thermal imaging analysis

Wang, Q., Patel, H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7783-5952 and Shao, L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1544-7548 (2023) A longitudinal study of the occupancy patterns of a university library building using thermal imaging analysis. Intelligent Buildings International, 15 (2). pp. 62-77. ISSN 1750-8975 doi: 10.1080/17508975.2022.2147129

Abstract/Summary

Current debates around the ‘performance gap’ have highlighted the need to study building occupancy patterns to improve design solutions and better understand space utilisation. However, capturing occupancy data is resource intensive. There is a need for solutions that gather real-time occupancy data while maintaining the users’ privacy. In response to this challenge, this paper discusses applying a thermal imaging-based method for measuring occupancy in buildings and generating behavioural insights. A longitudinal analysis of the occupancy patterns over a full academic year is conducted for a university library building in the UK. The granular data collected through the thermal imaging analysis reveal insights into the building’s occupancy patterns over academic terms and vacation periods. The findings debunk conventional conceptions of library use during weekends/weekdays and terms/vacations. The application of thermal imaging sensors to monitor occupancy within the library building suggests the potential use of real-time data to improve the library’s space and organisational management. The paper makes a case for having an occupancy monitoring strategy in place that corresponds to the data needed for making effective interventions.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/110046
Identification Number/DOI	10.1080/17508975.2022.2147129
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of the Built Environment > Energy and Environmental Engineering group
Publisher	Taylor & Francis
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item