An aggregated hourly footfall estimate for select retail locations in England obtained using Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radar devices. These data are used as a proxy for estimating footfall or the count of shoppers at retail locations. The sensors capture the wave signals sent by the UWB radar and detect people within the field of vision.
The dataset includes details about the locations of UWB devices and the approximate street, town and county of shop locations. Footfall estimates are presented as hourly sums and estimated mean values.
Content
The dataset focuses exclusively on England, offering precise, localized data for towns with UWB radar sensors. The technology's limited range (~10 metres) ensures accurate identification of individuals entering specific retail locations. Data collection began after testing in January 2019, with operational data starting in August 2019 and continuing to the present. The dataset includes data from 54 sensor locations across 9 towns in England, identified by streets. Key details regarding the dataset’s:
Quality, Representation and Bias
Unlike Wi-Fi probing, UWB radar is immune to errors related to MAC address randomization and other probing inconsistencies, improving overall data reliability. The dataset’s coverage includes 9 towns, with significant concentration in London (29 locations). This skew toward London affects the representation of national trends. The quality and representation of the Ultra Wide Band (UWB) Radar Footfall dataset are influenced by:
1. Sensor Range: The limited range (~10 meters) of UWB radar allows for accurate detection of individuals compared to fixed devices. However, sensor placement is critical for ensuring comprehensive coverage.
2. Human Error: Power disconnections at retail points may result in intermittent data gaps, affecting temporal completeness.
