How to use Google street view for a time-lapse data collection methodology: potential uses for retailing

Abstract

Finding the optimal location is a relevant strategic decision for retailers. The classic theories of retail location offer complementary perspectives, and later models include new variables, although they present methodological problems, these methodologies are static in time. Google Street View (GSV) allows extending the analysis of predictive models to different fields by a time-lapse collection data offering new opportunities to research and providing dynamic information. The development of a customized methodology, incorporating the time-lapse technique for practical applications, is the main contribution of this research, since there is almost no research on this topic.

Using Google Street View for virtual observations of neighborhoods and dwelling units: A feasibility study

“…Past decades have seen an increasing number of studies using GSV in various disciplines, as noted in [ 19 ]. For example, GSV images have been used in urban planning studies to assess the abundance of street greenery and identify land-use information [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…In the public health literature, several studies have measured neighborhood walkability and facility access with virtual observations conducted with GSV and have examined such measures as correlates of health outcomes [ 22 – 24 ]. With GSV, virtual observations can be conducted remotely without going into the field, saving time and cost [ 19 , 25 ]. Recently, advanced computing algorithms have been applied to GSV images [ 26 ].…”