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High-Temporal-Resolution Global Positioning System Data Are Not Necessary for Mobility-Based Assessments of Long-Term
Lai Wei1, Marco Helbich1, Roel Vermeulen2,3
1Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CB, The Netherlands.
Environmental Science & Technology
|March 20, 2026
Summary
High-frequency global positioning system (GPS) data are not essential for long-term exposure assessments. Lower-frequency GPS data and activity location-based approaches effectively estimate personal exposures to environmental factors.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Geospatial Science
Background:
- Global positioning system (GPS) data are increasingly used for mobility-based exposure assessments.
- The impact of GPS sampling rates on long-term exposure estimates remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of different global positioning system (GPS) sampling rates on long-term personal exposure assessments.
- To determine the optimal GPS data collection strategies for exposure studies.
Main Methods:
- Collected 2-week GPS data from 345 Dutch adults at a high frequency (20 seconds).
- Systematically down-sampled GPS data to lower frequencies (1-25 minutes).
- Compared exposure estimates using Bland-Altman plots.
Main Results:
- Minimal impact of GPS sampling rate on personal exposure estimates was observed (mean biases ≈ 0, CCC = 1).
- Over 80% of air pollution, noise, and green space exposures were linked to primary activity locations.
- In-transit periods dominated fast food environment exposure.
Conclusions:
- High-frequency GPS data are not necessary for estimating long-term personal exposures.
- Activity location-based approaches can accurately approximate exposures to air pollution, noise, and green space.
- These findings support scalable, person-centered exposure studies using lower-frequency GPS data.
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