Module 5-LIDAR

LIDAR-Interpretation-Pensacola Beach, FL

This weeks Module is on LIDAR.  The challenge assignment was to take the raw LIDAR data and produce a map using the IDW tool in ArcMap.  After manipulating the image, the assignment was to identify a road, sand dune and water feature.  This seemed straight forward as one could key on the relative elevations and the somewhat straight line for the road.  I'm sure there is more to LIDAR interpretation, but this was a basic start.

Module 4-Supervised Classification

Supervised Classification of Germantown, Maryland

This week's Module consisted of classifying land cover types in Germantown, Maryland.  This was done through a supervised classification method utilizing ERDAS software.  The project was mostly straightforward but I did have to work through the signature classes a few times to make sure I didn't have any dissimilar land cover types.  Overall this seems like a really a very necessary set of skills to know for a Remote Sensing specialist.  The biggest frustrations came with the system crashing multiple times in the exercise and assignment, but in the end I believe it came together.

Link to XPS drawing:

XPS Drawing

Module 3-Orthorectification

Rectify Image of Pensacola Bay

This lab was educational and it was relatively easy to understand the concepts as the lab instructions were quite helpful.  The items that took the most time were the continual crashing of the system, playing with the RMS values for the Ground Control Points (GCP's) and trying to get the resolution of the original image better.  I never was able to get the image to display better and it was a little tricky to get my first 3 control points placed with a low RMS.  I was able to identify some nice features in the reference and input images but the resolution was so poor it took a few wild guesses to get it close.  My overall RMS was 0.658. 

The ERDAS software is real quirky and it seems like we are missing some tutorials or other key information that may help?

The links to my XPS Drawing and Excel file is below:

XPS Map

Excel file

Module 2-Spectral Band Basics

Module 2 Exercises
Identify Forest, Deepwater and Shallow Water Areas
Near Cushman Lake, Washington

Links to maps below

Map 1

Map 2

Map 3

Module 1-ERDAS Exercise

ERDAS IMAGINE Exercise 1-Pensacola Bay Image

Link:
http://students.uwf.edu/rgj1/RGJ_ERDAS_Module1_062610.xps

Final Project-Semester 1

ACT Scores for the United States-2009

As Porky Pig would say-----"Th, Th, Th,............That's all folks".........at least for this semester!

Week 11-Google Earth

Wind Farm Evaluation and Site

I have chosen this as a suitable spot for a wind farm. According to NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) the Wind Power Class is 8.0-8.8 m/s at a point 50m from the ground. This translates to 17.9-19.7 mph wind speed. It is rated as an area with Outstanding Resource Potential. I also have evaluated that the site is in a relatively sparse area. The closest house is approximately 0.5 miles from the site. Overall there are just a few houses within a 1 mile range. With fewer houses in the region the visual impacts should be reduced. I have made a study of the bird migration routes and this is in a the migration for Canvasback Ducks and Dabbling Ducks but researches say ducks disperse more than other migrating birds. For the construction of the wind farm it is relatively close to the highway for access. The NREL map shows that there is a large 345-499 kv electric transmission line in the region where the power generated by the wind farm can be tied to the electric grid. A possible downside is that this location is near a scenic highway and perhaps the wind farm could be sited more inland, if there was to much public opposition.