An analysis of metropolitan land-use by machine processing of earth resources technology satellite data

A successful application of state-of-the-art remote sensing technology in classifying an urban area into its broad land use classes is reported. This research proves that numerous urban features are amenable to classification using ERTS multispectral data automatically processed by computer. Furthermore, such automatic data processing (ADP) techniques permit areal analysis on an unprecedented scale with a minimum expenditure of time. Also, classification results obtained using ADP procedures are consistent, comparable, and replicable. The results of classification are compared with the proposed U. S. G. S. land use classification system in order to determine the level of classification that is feasible to obtain through ERTS analysis of metropolitan areas

Urban land use monitoring from computer-implemented processing of airborne multispectral data

Machine processing techniques were applied to multispectral data obtained from airborne scanners at an elevation of 600 meters over central Indianapolis in August, 1972. Computer analysis of these spectral data indicate that roads (two types), roof tops (three types), dense grass (two types), sparse grass (two types), trees, bare soil, and water (two types) can be accurately identified. Using computers, it is possible to determine land uses from analysis of type, size, shape, and spatial associations of earth surface images identified from multispectral data. Land use data developed through machine processing techniques can be programmed to monitor land use changes, simulate land use conditions, and provide impact statistics that are required to analyze stresses placed on spatial systems

Evaluation of surface water resources from machine-processing of ERTS multispectral data

The surface water resources of a large metropolitan area, Marion County (Indianapolis), Indiana, are studied in order to assess the potential value of ERTS spectral analysis to water resources problems. The results of the research indicate that all surface water bodies over 0.5 ha were identified accurately from ERTS multispectral analysis. Five distinct classes of water were identified and correlated with parameters which included: degree of water siltiness; depth of water; presence of macro and micro biotic forms in the water; and presence of various chemical concentrations in the water. The machine processing of ERTS spectral data used alone or in conjunction with conventional sources of hydrological information can lead to the monitoring of area of surface water bodies; estimated volume of selected surface water bodies; differences in degree of silt and clay suspended in water and degree of water eutrophication related to chemical concentrations

Test Plan for Remote Sensing Information Subsystem Products Test Site 1 (Coastal)

This plan outlines the map products to be generated from Landsat imagery, airborne multispectral scanner imagery, and aerial photography of a test site on the Texas coast. The objectives of producing these maps are: To determine the methodology necessary for developing each type of product. To designate the size, scale, level of detail, and final format of each map within an initial phase of development of remote sensing products. To designate specifications for the generation of equivalent products from aerial photography to be used in comparison evaluations. The map products and data analysis procedures described here are based on: Objectives outlined in the Applications System Verification and Transfer (ASVT) Project Plan (McCulloch and McKain, 1978). State agency coastal information needs and listings of possible products developed in conjunction with the User Advisory Group. The Remote Sensing Information Subsystem (RSIS) Level I Design and Design Review documents. As such, the descriptions contained herein are primarily conceptual and are derived from only limited hands-on experience with Landsat imagery and digital image processing hardware and software. Present time schedules call for the software required for full analysis of data over the Coastal Test Site to be available in early 1981.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Annotated Bibliography of Techniques for Image Enhancement and Interpretation in Remote Sensing

The purpose of this annotated bibliography is to provide the user of the Remote Sensing Information Subsystem (RSIS) with brief descriptions of recent research techniques of image enhancement and their applications to specific image interpretation problems. Table 2 of the May 1979 ASVT/RSIS Technical Report entitled "Functional Design Narrative Descriptions" listed digital image processing requirements of the RSIS. The references in this bibliography were chosen because they describe these processing requirements. The format of that table was modified slightly and used as the outline for Section One of this bibliography. The bibliography is not intended to be an exhaustive compilation of all pertinent articles. Such a collection would be outdated as soon as it was printed. It does, however, contain a broad sampling of the recent remote sensing literature. We tried not to include multiple references to the same technique, but some repetition was necessary in order to fully describe some procedures of image enhancement and interpretation.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Outline of Basic Procedures for Remote Sensing Information Subsytem (RSIS) Analysis of Landsat Data

This document outlines basic procedures for analyzing Landsat data using the Remote Sensing Information Subsystem (RSIS), prepared for the Texas Natural Resources Information System and dated November 1980. The outline includes procedures for Reflectance Data Display and Classified Data Display. It provides detailed steps for various tasks such as locating areas of interest, running histogram processors, setting up display tapes, analyzing data, and creating look-up tables. Additionally, it covers the use of software tools like LARSYS Histogram Processor, ISOCLS Processor, and CLRTAB. The document includes tables and figures illustrating channel data, radiance values, and color assignments. It also includes appendices detailing RSIS runstreams and ISOCLS procedures. Overall, it's a comprehensive guide for utilizing RSIS to analyze Landsat data for various applications related to natural resource management and geology.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Plan for Economic Evaluation of Products from the Remote Sensing Information Subsystem (RSIS)

The objective of this proposed analysis is to compare the cost and accuracy of map production using existing methods with map production using the Remote Sensing Information Subsystem (RSIS). Both methods require surface visits in order to control the validity of interpretations. Existing methods imply the use of aerial photography at appropriate scales with conventional photo interpretation techniques. Map units are delineated directly on the photograph, on an overlay, or a map base and, through the process of scribing and other cartographic techniques, a final map product is produced. Use of the RSIS implies the use of Landsat or airborne multispectral scanner data in a digital processing system which will operate in an interactive manner with the interpreter, supplemented by aerial photography. A keyboard cathode ray tube (KCRT) will be the primary means for data display and for the interpreter to direct further data analysis. During the TNRIS/NASA Joint Project, hard-copy output from digital data is dependent upon the use of a Matrix Color Camera to produce Polaroid prints and film transparencies. The RSIS will accept hard-copy input (maps and aerial photographs) for use with overlay production but will not digitize photography.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Definition of Optimum Isocls Parameters for RSIS Interactive Data Anaylsis , Texas Coastal Applications Test Site

Data tapes for a specified window are processed through a program called ISOCLS (Iterative Self-Organizing Clustering). The user supplies several input parameters, including the spectral distance between clusters (DLMIN) and the maximum standard deviation for the values within a cluster (STDMAX). The purpose of this study was to vary these two parameters and analyze the differences in images produced from the same data.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Test Plan for Remote Sensing Information Subsystem Products Test Site 2 and 5 (High Plains and Trans-Pecos Texas)

This plan outlines the map products to be generated from Landsat imagery, airborne multispectral scanner imagery, and aerial photography of test sites in the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle and in Trans-Pecos Texas. The objectives of producing these maps are: To determine the methodology necessary for developing each type of product. To designate the size, scale, level of detail, and final format of each map within an initial phase of development of remote sensing products. The map products and data analysis procedures described here are based on: Objectives outlined in the Applications System Verification and Transfer (ASVT) Project Plan (McCulloch and McKain, 1978). State agency information needs and listings of possible products developed in conjunction with the User Advisory Group. The Remote Sensing Information Subsystem (RSIS) Level I Design and Design Review documents. The descriptions contained herein are primarily conceptual and are derived from limited hands-on experience with Landsat imagery and digital image processing hardware and software. Analysis of the High Plains region will make maximum use of experience gained in the coastal test site using ISOCLS for unsupervised classification of land cover/land use. The image enhancement techniques to be used for geologic applications in the Trans-Pecos region have not previously been applied as part of RSIS.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Data Collection Plan For Geological Remote Sensing in the Volcanic Terrain of Trans-Pecos Texas, ASVT Test Site 5

This document describes a ground and aircraft data collection plan to be carried out as part of the Texas Applications System Verification and Transfer (ASVT) Project, which is a joint effort of the Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS) Task Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Texas Department of Water Resources/TNRIS has contracted with the Bureau of Economic Geology for the preparation of this Data Collection Plan (DCP), to be initially implemented during the period June-August 1980 as described herein. This DCP applies to a test site in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas, one of five designated test sites within the state. Previously, a ground data collection plan had been prepared for the coastal test site (Finley, 1978), and a plan is in preparation for the High Plains test site.Bureau of Economic Geolog