Project Number: 6217-13000-008-25
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: May 01, 2007
End Date: Aug 31, 2010

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to increase the general and fundamental knowledge related to the use of remote sensing technology to assess earthen embankment surface maintenance and cover conditions at single time checks as well as changes over time.

Approach:
ARS-HERU and OSU will work together to document the present state of science on satellite imagery resolution, availability, costs, and techniques for imagery interpretation to conduct preliminary earthen embankment maintenance and cover condition evaluations as well as changes over time. This will be accomplished by 1) conducting a study of present remote imagery sources and availability, 2) evaluating applicability of imagery to assessing earthen embankment maintenance and cover conditions based on cost, availability, resolution requirements, imagery types, timeliness, and ease of imagery interpretation, 3) exploring computational approaches for interpreting satellite imagery to evaluate earthen embankment conditions, and 4) selecting specific imagery portfolio examples for evaluation purposes and verification. A report documenting sources, cost, availability, resolution requirements, imagery types, timeliness, feasibility, and imagery interpretation methodology including specific examples for evaluating earthen embankment conditions will be developed as a final product.