Occupancy Sensor Project
Thompson Rivers University is installing privacy-focused occupancy sensors in several buildings on the Kamloops campus to better understand how learning, work and service spaces are used throughout the day.
The sensors help the university see how busy spaces become at different times. This information supports better classroom scheduling, space planning and future improvements to campus facilities. This will contribute to more efficient and sustainable use of campus facilities.
Installation began in April 2026 in selected academic, administrative and student service buildings across the Kamloops campus.
What the sensors do
Occupancy sensors measure general activity levels in a space to estimate how many people are present.
They help the university understand patterns such as:
- when classrooms or study areas are busiest
- which spaces may be underused
- how demand for space changes throughout the day
This information helps TRU plan spaces more effectively and ensure campus facilities meet the needs of students, faculty and staff.
Many universities now use occupancy analytics to help students find available study spaces and to support better planning of classrooms, libraries and other shared spaces.
Your privacy
The sensors are designed with privacy as top priority.
They:
- do not record audio or video
- do not identify individuals
- do not collect personal information
- only generate anonymous, aggregate occupancy estimates
The technology estimates the number of people in a space by analyzing general Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signal activity. Individual devices cannot be identified or tracked.
Why TRU is using this technology
Understanding how campus spaces are used helps the university make better decisions about scheduling, renovations and future campus planning.
Early testing of the technology can provide reliable insights into how TRU spaces are used. For example, some areas were regularly much busier than expected, while others were less used even during peak times.
These insights help ensure campus spaces are used as effectively as possible and continue to meet the needs of the campus community.
Where sensors are being installed
Sensors have been installed in selected buildings, including:
- Administrative Building – fourth-floor sensors moved to the second floor
- Arts and Education building – all classrooms and labs
- Campus Activity Centre – sensors remain on the third floor
- Industrial Training and Technology Centre – all classrooms and labs
- International Building – first-floor classrooms and labs; sensors remain on the third floor
- Ken Lepin Sciences and Health Science building – all classrooms and labs
- Chappel Family Building for Nursing and Population Health – select areas on the second and third floors
- Old Main – Enrolment Services, Registrar, and all classrooms and labs on the first, second, third and fourth floors
- School of Trades and Technology building – all classrooms and labs
About the technology provider
TRU’s occupancy sensors are provided by Occuspace, a company that develops privacy-focused occupancy analytics technology for universities and other organizations.
Occuspace works with institutions across North America to help them understand how spaces such as classrooms, libraries and student facilities are used throughout the day. These insights support better planning, scheduling and use of campus facilities.
The system estimates how busy a space is by analyzing anonymous Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signal activity. It does not collect personal information and cannot identify individuals or track specific devices.
More information about Occuspace’s privacy approach can be found here: https://www.occuspace.com/privacy-policy
FAQs
Why is TRU measuring space utilization?
TRU is measuring space utilization to better understand how classrooms, offices and shared spaces are used throughout the day. This information supports future planning and helps ensure campus spaces are scheduled and used as effectively as possible before considering renovations, repurposing or new construction.
The data will also help the university support teaching and learning needs, improve the student and employee experience, and provide real-time insights that can help offset operational, janitorial and maintenance costs over time.
How is TRU doing this?
TRU has engaged Occuspace, a space utilization data and technology company, to measure how spaces are utilized using its privacy-safe occupancy sensors. These sensors detect whether a space is in use but do not capture images, audio or any personally identifiable information..
The data collected shows general usage patterns, such as how often and when spaces are occupied. It is used to understand overall space utilization trends rather than track individuals. More information about the technology can be found on the Occuspace website.
What are occupancy sensors?
Occupancy sensors are small devices that estimate how many people are present in a space. They help the university understand how classrooms, study areas and other facilities are used throughout the day.
Has this technology been reviewed for privacy compliance?
Yes. The occupancy sensor technology was reviewed to ensure it aligns with privacy requirements. It is fully compliant with all global digital privacy laws and regulations.
The system passively senses signal activity from devices such as laptops and phones, and converts those signals into anonymous, aggregate occupancy estimates. It does not record audio, video or personal information. It cannot identify individuals or track specific devices.
The purpose of the technology is to understand general patterns of space use across campus, not to monitor people.
More information about the company and its privacy approach can be found here: https://www.occuspace.com/privacy-policy
Where will the occupancy sensors be installed?
Occupancy sensors will be installed in the following buildings and areas of Kamloops campus:
- Administrative Building – fourth-floor sensors moved to the second floor
- Arts and Education building – all classrooms and labs
- Campus Activity Centre – sensors remain on the third floor
- Industrial Training and Technology Centre – all classrooms and labs
- International Building – first-floor classrooms and labs; sensors remain on the third floor
- Ken Lepin Sciences and Health Sciences building – all classrooms and labs
- Chappel Family Building Nursing and Population Health – select areas on the second and third floors
- Old Main – Enrolment Services, Registrar, and all classrooms and labs on the first, second, third and fourth floors
- School of Trades and Technology building – all classrooms and labs
Why is TRU installing occupancy sensors?
Occupancy sensors help the university understand how campus spaces are used throughout the day. The sensors provide anonymous data that helps TRU:
- improve classroom scheduling
- better match spaces with demand
- identify underused or overcrowded areas
- plan future renovations or space improvements
This information supports more efficient and sustainable use of campus facilities.
Do the occupancy sensors record audio or video?
No. The sensors do not record audio or video.
Can the occupancy sensors identify individuals?
No. The technology cannot identify people or personal information. The sensors only estimate the number of occupants in a space.
What data is collected?
The sensors analyze general Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signal activity to estimate occupancy levels. The data is anonymous and aggregated. It is used only to understand how busy spaces are and how they are used throughout the day.
Can the occupancy sensors track my phone or device?
No. The system cannot track individual devices or identify users. It only detects general signal activity to estimate how many people are in a space.
Who provides the sensor technology?
The sensors are provided by Occuspace, a company that develops privacy-focused occupancy analytics technology used by universities and other organizations.
Will the sensors affect Wi-Fi or my phone?
No. The sensors passively detect signal activity and do not interfere with Wi-Fi networks or personal devices.
Who can I contact with questions?
Crystal Schock
Coordinator, Space Planning and Design
cschock@tru.ca
