ICREST

Feature Extraction (ArcView Extension)

Today satellite and airborne remote sensing systems provide large volumes of data that is invaluable in the monitoring of the earth system and the effects of human activities on the earth (Schowengerdt, 1997). However, research in remote sensing has largely focused on land-use / land-cover mapping. Little research has occurred on the topic of man-made feature extraction. Traditionally, feature identification and cartographic delineation are done manually which are time consuming and labor intensive. We developed an integrated approach to automatic road extraction through combining remote sensing, digital image processing and GIS technologies. A set of algorithms for automatic and semi-automatic road extraction from remotely sensed imagery was developed. The software packages used within this development were ARC/INFO and ARCVIEW in a Windows NT environment. The programs were written in AVENUE and AML as an extension for ARCVIEW, called Feature Extraction.

The Feature Extraction extension for ArcView 3.2 was developed by Department of Geography/Geographic Resources Center (GRC) at University of Missouri-Columbia. Feature extraction can be used to automatically/semi-automatically extract roads from many different resolutions of remotely sensed images. It is an extension to ARCVIEW which also requires the Spatial Analysis extension. The main menu is added to the ArcView graphic user interface as a pull-down (see graphic below). A users guide has been developed to ease its use within state and local government arenas.

For further information contact: Timothy L. Haithcoat, Geographic Resources Center, 104 Stewart Hall, UMC, Columbia-MO, 65211. Email: HaithcoatT@missouri.edu Tel: 573-882-1404.

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