Projects: School

GIS Network Path Analysis

Dr. Wei-Ning Xiang’s final class project required each student to build a GIS database with an easy-to-use interface that could perform purpose-driven tasks. I chose to create a tool that would show the most efficient path to walk from any point on campus to any other. Creation of the database involved digitally tracing out a vector network of sidewalks, paths, and stairs using aerial photography, and subjectively assigning weights to paths with subtle barriers such as path grade. I later included an accessibility option that completely shut off paths that could not be traveled by wheelchair.

NDVI

AVHRR Imagery
AVHRR Imagery

For several months, I collected Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) polar-orbiting satellite data using a small radar dish on the roof of Dr. Forsythe’s lab. During this acquisition period, I sorted through hundreds of images captured from multiple satellites and geometrically corrected those remaining using Erdas Imagine. A Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) was achieved by calculating specific differences between satellite sensor spectral channel-1 (ρRED -> 0.58-0.68µm) and near-infrared channel-2 (ρNIR -> 0.725-1.0µm).