Application of Remote Sensing for the Prediction, Monitoring, and Assessment of Hazards and Disasters that Impact Transportation

Although remote sensing has been used in predicting, monitoring, and assessing hazards and disasters for over 50 years, its use in the transportation domain is still in its infancy. This study was conducted to identify the research needs involving the use of remote sensing for such applications within the transportation domain. The first step taken was to determine the current state of remote sensing applications in the transportation domain associated with the prediction, monitor, and assessment of hazards and disasters. The second step was to identify the impacts that such events may cause and the information needed to prevent or reduce their impacts. With the knowledge of the required information, remote sensing requirements and technology limitations were defined. Then according to the knowledge of the current state of research and the limitations of remote systems, future research needs were identified. Finally, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to rank these research needs

Traffic Congestion Pricing Methods and Technologies

This paper reviews the methods and technologies for congestion pricing of roads. Congestion tolls can be implemented at scales ranging from individual lanes on single links to national road networks. Tolls can be differentiated by time of day, road type and vehicle characteristics, and even set in real time according to current traffic conditions. Conventional toll booths have largely given way to electronic toll collection technologies. The main technology categories are roadside-only systems employing digital photography, tag and beacon systems that use short-range microwave technology, and in vehicle-only systems based on either satellite or cellular network communications. The best technology choice depends on the application. The rate at which congestion pricing is implemented, and its ultimate scope, will depend on what technology is used and on what other functions and services it can perform. Since congestion pricing calls for the greatest overall degree of toll differentiation, congestion pricing is likely to drive the technology choice.Road pricing; Congestion pricing; Electronic Toll Collection technology

Bridges Structural Health Monitoring and Deterioration Detection Synthesis of Knowledge and Technology

INE/AUTC 10.0

Summary of the Active Microwave Workshop, chapter 1

An overview is given of the utility, feasibility, and advantages of active microwave sensors for a broad range of applications, including aerospace. In many instances, the material provides an in-depth examination of the applicability and/or the technology of microwave remote sensing, and considerable documentation is presented in support of these techniques. An assessment of the relative strengths and weaknesses of active microwave sensor data indicates that satisfactory data are obtainable for several significant applications

Cornell University remote sensing program

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

An Assessment of Remote Sensing Applications in Transportation

Remote sensing is an innovative science and technology that is aiding in numerous modes of transportation. Almost every aspect of transportation can benefit from utilizing imagery and data. Specifically, these technologies can be applied to planning, environmental impact assessment, hazard and disaster response, infrastructure management, traffic assessment, and homeland security planning (“Transportation and Remote Sensing,” 1999). The United States transportation system is a critical component of our economy and mobility (Williamson, Morain, Budge, & Hepner, 2002). There are millions of miles of roadways and bridges to monitor and maintain. In addition, remote sensing can be utilized towards the development and planning of new infrastructure and transportation systems. Remote sensing provides the unique ability to detect changes in our transportation system on a real-time basis. Imagery can be collected from multiple platforms, including satellite, aircraft-based, and ground-based, which allows data collection to be tailored to a particular transportation application. This paper will provide an overview of some of the potential applications of remote sensing in transportation. Due to the broad scope of this topic, several modes will not be discussed including aviation and marine. The main focus will be on ground transportation, infrastructure, and homeland security as it relates to transportation applications. Emerging technologies, such as hyperspectral remote sensing and LIDAR, will also be discussed. In addition, the Nebraska Airborne Remote Sensing Facility, one of only a few operating in the United States will be described. Two tribal communities in Nebraska are utilizing the data collected from the facility to address transportation issues

Terrestrial LiDAR-based bridge evaluation

Considering the over half million bridges in the US state highway system, more than 70% of which were built before 1935, it is of little wonder that bridge maintenance and management is facing severe challenges and the significant funding scarcity rapidly escalates the problem. Commercial remote sensing techniques have the capability of covering large areas and are suggested to be cost effective methods for bridge inspection. This dissertation introduces several applications of the remote bridge inspection technologies using ground-based LiDAR systems. In particular, the application of terrestrial LiDAR for bridge health monitoring is studied. An automatic bridge condition evaluation system based on terrestrial LiDAR data, LiBE (LiDAR-based Bridge Evaluation), is developed. The research works completed thus far have shown that LiDAR technology has the capability for bridge surface defect detection and quantification, clearance measurement, and displacement measurement during bridge static load testing. Several bridges in Mecklenburg County, NC, and other areas have been evaluated using LiBE and quantitative bridge rating mechanisms are proposed. A cost-benefit analysis has been conducted that demonstrates the relevancy of the technique to current nation-wide bridge management problem, as well as, the potential of reducing the bridge maintenance costs to the stack holders. The results generated from these technologies are valuable for bridge maintenance decision making

Cornell University remote sensing program

The major activities of the program staff from December 1, 1973 to May 31, 1974 are reported and include: (1) communication and instruction; (2) data and facilities; (3) research completed; (4) research in progress; (5) selected correspondence; (6) grant sponsored travel; and (7) seminars and newsletters. Detailed information and maps are given for the following selected projects: (1) ERTS mapping of waterways in the Tug Hill region of New York State; (2) photo-archeological investigation of Great Gully, New York; and (3) evaluation of selected highway impacts using aerial photography