Smart Sensors and AI for Coastal Destination Resilience
by Dr. Soyoung Park and Dr. Jinwoo Jang |
Keywords: coastal resilience, smart tourism, artificial intelligence, IoT, community well-being, human-environment interactions”
Our Research
Florida’s coasts are popular destinations, but they face growing challenges: crowded beaches, heavy traffic, excess waste, and stress from events like red tide, flooding, and extreme heat. These problems don’t just affect visitors—they also impact the daily lives of local residents.
Our research explores how smart technologies, such as sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), can help balance the needs of tourists and residents. By studying both local conditions and human behavior, we aim to design solutions that protect coastal areas while supporting a thriving tourism economy.
Our Strategy
Students will gain hands-on experience with real-world data collection and analysis. You’ll learn how to:
- Gather information from environmental sensors, live video feeds, and social media
- Conduct surveys and focus groups with residents and tourists
- Use AI and data science to find patterns in behaviors and stress points (e.g., overcrowding, waste hotspots, resident-visitor conflicts)
- Build interactive dashboards for transparent, community-friendly decision making
You’ll also explore potential interventions, such as apps that guide tourists toward off-peak times and community-led efforts to protect local ecosystems and cultures. Along the way, you’ll develop skills in data science, ecological monitoring, social research, and collaborative problem-solving.
Our Impact
By connecting technology with community needs, this project will create actionable recommendations for improving coastal tourism. Our work will:
- Help residents enjoy a better quality of life with reduced stress and congestion
- Offer tourists safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable experiences
- Support policymakers and local businesses with data-driven tools for smarter planning
Ultimately, the project helps Florida’s coasts remain vibrant and healthy for generations to come.