Public coastal access at risk: Integrating social and environmental data to assess vulnerability to sea level rise

Sea level rise poses significant risks to coastal infrastructure and recreational activities, limiting public coastal access. In this study, we evaluate the current use and measure the recreational value of coastal access areas in Bristol County, Rhode Island, while assessing the vulnerability of those areas to rising sea levels. By combining measurements of non-market economic value derived from cellular device location data with modeled future sea level projections, we quantify the economic value at risk under different inundation scenarios. We produce site-level results which provide context and quantifiable measurements of social value that can guide prioritization of mitigation strategies to address future impacts. We discuss the benefits and challenges of integrating social and environmental data and methods.