Smart campus tools – adding value to the university campus by measuring space use real-time

Abstract

Purpose-The objective of corporate real estate management is to optimally attune corporate accommodation to organisational performance. At universities, the dynamic process to match supply and demand is often hindered by difficulties in the allocation and use of space. This is a challenge for the Dutch universities and perhaps also European universities, which own large and ageing real estate portfolio's in need of (re)investment: how can universities invest their resources as effectively as possible and not in space that will be poorly used? The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of smart campus tools to improve space use on campus. Design/methodology/approach-First, a survey at 13 Dutch universities is conducted, consisting of a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with Dutch campus managers. Then, semi-structured interviews are held with a number of parties in other industries to explore the use of smart tools in other contexts. Findings-The universities' demand for smart tools is mainly directed at the automatic and continuous collection of real-time space use data for education spaces and giving students insight into the availability of study places on campus. The tools at the Dutch universities focus largely on effectiveness: helping their users in their search to find a space that supports their activities. In other industry sectors, the results suggest that the use of smart tools is more directed towards efficiency: maximizing the use of existing space or optimising the operations of the organisation. Originality/value-Although the use of smart tools in practice has gained significant momentum in the past few years, research on the subject is still sparse. By providing a framework for smart tools, as well as exploring the work done in theory and in practice, the authors hope to increase discussion and research on the subject from the perspective of corporate real estate.

Application of Internet of Things in academic buildings for space use efficiency using occupancy and booking data

“…The occupant-centric applications of IoT in academic environments associated with the concept of smart campus can improve the student learning experience, campus security, and also operational efficiency [ 4 ]. A common application of IoT tools for operational efficiency at universities is supporting users to find spaces [ 5 ]. This application can be developed to monitor space use and to enhance space use management, which becomes more important when the need for space varies as a result of fluctuating student intakes and their participation.…”

Application of occupancy and booking information to optimize space and energy use in higher education institutions

“…However, there is a gap between the theoretical approaches and practical applications by education administrators [14]. Moreover, the gap between predicted (timetabled) and actual use in terms of frequency, occupancy and usage by the right group of students is a shortcoming of booking systems [3]. Space utilization surveys have been undertaken by direct observation in small areas [15], however, this method could be impractical for large spaces for longer durations.…”

“…The "Smart Campus Tools" project in Netherland investigates the potentials for space use optimization in academic environments. They define a smart tool as a service or product with which information on space use is collected real-time to improve utilization of the current campus on the one hand, and to improve decisionmaking about the future campus on the other hand [3]. In this view, a monitoring system with PIR (passive infrared radiation) sensors and a booking system fall in the category of smart tools.…”

“…A common application of such systems in universities is to support users to find available spaces. While in other industries, its application is relatively more targeted towards efficient use of space [3].…”

Higher Education Estate Data Accountability: The Contrasting Experience of UK and Poland

“…Recent experiments in 'smart cities, and 'smart buildings' provide real time data fed from live sensors, allowing instant adjustment of activities. For example, occupancy sensors provide live information to students on where library seats are available (Valks et al, 2018). In future, existing datasets and estate statistics may be supplemented, improved or replaced by entirely new statistical outputs.…”