The University of Kentucky

Learn how the University of Kentucky Saved $8M in Construction Costs with Data-Informed Space Planning

The university used space analytics to unlock hidden capacity, proving that fast wins fund the future.

When the University of Kentucky (UK) faced a hospital expansion requiring the demolition of academic buildings, the immediate question was where and how much to build. What was not asked was the more fundamental question: “Do we need to build at all?”

Gretchen Tucker from the University of Kentucky providing a quote

Building Trust Through Quick Wins

Rather than investing in new sensors or a time-consuming traditional space utilization study, UK recognized an untapped resource: the campus Wi-Fi network. Partnering with CampusIQ, they launched a pilot in the Fall of 2024. The goal? To validate Wi-Fi occupancy data across four different use cases:

Use Case 1: Restroom Operations in Gatton Student Center

Use Case 2: Weekend Service Hours at William T. Young Library

Wi-Fi data revealed persistent weekend traffic at the Media Depot help desk, even when the desk was closed. Students were visiting the Media Depot, only to find the services unavailable. Now Jarvis had a view on linger, time, flow, and engagement, which was a new way to shed light on campus spaces. By opening limited weekend hours, UK captured 186 tickets out of 1,860 total. This resulted in 10% of previously unknown student needs now being met.

Typical concurrent users by day and hour

Use Case 3: Hospital Expansion Space Planning

When hospital expansion required relocating the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, early discussions assumed a 7% space increase was needed. Gretchen Tucker and her geospatial team analyzed actual occupancy data across affected buildings.

The result? A data-informed 2% expansion instead. This 5% reduction that translated to approximately $8M in avoided construction costs and $127K in annual operational savings through reduced maintenance, custodial, and energy expenses.

Use Case 4: Digital Signage Optimization

Beyond operational improvements, Wi-Fi data revealed unexpected opportunities to enhance campus communication. By analyzing foot traffic patterns across the Gatton Student Center, the team identified high-traffic zones where students naturally congregated or passed through. This allowed UK to strategically reposition digital signage for maximum visibility and engagement. The data also helped reduce congestion in busy areas by better managing queue flows near service points. "We could finally see how foot traffic was actually moving throughout the building," Jarvis noted. "That allowed us to place messaging where it would actually be seen, not just where we assumed people would be."

Quote from Erik Jarvis, University of Kentucky

The Results: From Signals to Outcomes

The collaborative approach between departments proved essential. "We needed a proof of concept," Tucker explains. "We wanted to use what we already had." By combining Wi-Fi data with space inventory data and targeted surveys, “UK created a single source of truth that challenged assumptions and revealed opportunities.”

"We moved from guesswork to data-informed practices that directly improve the campus experience," Jarvis reflects. The success of these pilots has sparked interest across the facilities leadership team at the University for expanded deployment, with future opportunities including dynamic HVAC controls for energy savings, expanded custodial optimization, and real-time library space availability for students.