Geospatial Database-Driven Extraction of Information from Digital Aerial Imagery

This CAREER project will advance the ability to extract spatial information from digital aerial imagery for which prior or complementary information already exists. Examples of such information are pre-existing digital maps, digital terrain models, and spatial information systems in general. We use geospatial databases to support and guide digital image analysis methods for object extraction. The work will accomplish both research and educational objectives. The research program develops novel concepts and algorithms for the extraction of information from digital images. Emphasis is put on matching images to abstract representations of reality, change detection, analysis of scale differences between various images and images and databases, and structuring the extracted information in order to be suitable for incorporation into geospatial databases for their updating. As part of our planned outreach activities, a workshop took place with the participation of leading experts from a variety of disciplines relevant to this project. The educational initiatives incorporate the research advancements made in this project into our graduate and undergraduate curriculum through the development of a new course and the modification of two existing courses, and in our high school outreach program. Publications and Products So far, work on this project has resulted in 1 book, 5 journal articles, 7 fully refereed conference publications, and some other conference papers. For a list of selected publications related to this project please refer to sectio