# Evaluating and Applying Google Timeline Location Data for Built Environment and Physical Activity Research

> **NIH NIH R21** · OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $333,453

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Built environments directly influence health, for example through air pollution and noise exposures, and
indirectly influence health through changing health-related behaviors, for which physical activity is a major
contributor. Nearly all epidemiology studies examining the relationships between long-term built environment
related exposures and health have relied solely on residential address. This has severe limitations related to
exposure misclassification and bias from residential selection, and does not capture how individuals interact
with the built environment. Some studies have conducted GPS monitoring, but these include small populations
(<500 people) and short time-periods (one to four weeks) due to cost and logistical constraints. We have been
evaluating Google Location History Timeline data (referred to as Google TimeLine, or GTL) as a viable source
of long-term passive GPS time activity data for advancing built environment and health research. GTL data is
collected from both android and apple smartphones (that have Google maps or other apps installed) for opt-in
participants. To-date, no health study has attempted to leverage GTL for improving exposure assessment or
epidemiological research. We will develop and evaluate methods to derive built environment exposures from
GTL data, using approaches that protect the privacy of study participants and evaluate these methods within a
subset of the Washington Twin Registry Study who have already participated in a two-week GPS and
accelerometry study. We will also develop approaches to assess physical activity from GTL data, providing a
completely novel and objective measure of physical activity levels. If we are successful in developing and
evaluating methods to use GTL data for epidemiological research this will completely revolutionize how we
study built environment influences on human health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10215537
- **Project number:** 5R21ES031226-02
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ofer Amram
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $333,453
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-17 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10215537

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10215537, Evaluating and Applying Google Timeline Location Data for Built Environment and Physical Activity Research (5R21ES031226-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10215537. Licensed CC0.

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