B. Forster

UNSW Sydney | UNSW · Surveying and Geospatial Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Advances in both airborne and spaceborne remote sensing systems have provided a range of tools for monitoring and managing human settlements. In particular the availability of very high spatial resolution satellite systems has dramatically increased access to high quality two-dimensional spatial information, while laser profilers and interferometri...

The distribution of fire hazards clearly indicates a spatio-temporal irregularity that needs to be understood in order to improve emergency operations. Fire hazard categorization enables comparison of hazard in one place to another and assists in understanding these spatio-temporal variations. Current in-situ methods to categorize fire hazards are...

This paper demonstrates a methodology for the analysis and integration of airborne hyperspectral sensor data (445–2543 nm) with GIS data in order to develop a vulnerability map which has the potential to assist in decision making during post-disaster emergency operations. Hailstorms pose a threat to people as well as property in Sydney, Australia....

This paper compares segmentation results of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images using Gaussian-Markov random field (MRF) and Gamma-MRF models. A Gamma distribution function is more accurate and proper to trace the multilook SAR intensity data distribution. However, it is found that, at least from examples used in the paper, when the distribution...

This paper makes two contributions. It first introduces an algorithm for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) speckle reduction and edge sharpening. Existing speckle filtering algorithms can effectively reduce the speckle effect but unfortunately also, to some degree, smear edges and blur images. Even for unfiltered images, there is still a need for edge...

Classification of radar images based on the information provided by individual pixels cannot generally produce satisfactory results due to speckle. The classification based on area analysis is therefore expected to be more accurate, as a uniform area, which usually consists of multipixels, provides reliable measurement statistics and texture charac...

Dynamic fire resources have to be allocated on the basis of comprehensive understanding of the various spatial processes, which may influence fire hazards and vulnerability assessment. However, prior to this allocation it is vital to gain a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between such spatial influences and model them in order to u...

Describes a methodology which uses hyperspectral remote sensing data and cartographic GIS data for assessing and mapping the vulnerability from hail storm disaster in Sydney, Australia. By collecting urban surface material samples, mainly comprising roof types, a spectral library was created under artificial illumination using a spectroradiometer....

Speckle filtering is probably one of the important steps in post SAR (synthetic aperture radar) image processing. Speckle appears in all SAR products including single-polarimetric, multipolarimetric and interferometric image data. Many speckle filtering algorithms have been proposed aimed at speckle reduction. Texture, revealing the spatial-depende...

SAR image segmentation is investigated by integrating both the Gamma distribution and the Gaussian distribution, appropriate data representations for uniform areas in SAR images, with the Markov random field model. Both models are able to distinguish spatially adjacent objects by up to their second order statistics and spatial textures. Overall res...

A method for the decomposition of radar polarization signatures is developed. The polarization backscattering model is assumed to consist of odd, double, Bragg, and cross backscattering components, and the Mueller matrix is the sum of the Mueller matrices of these four scattering mechanisms. The technique of least squares (LS) is then used to find...

An effective algorithm for digital image noise smoothing using wavelet transform techniques is presented in this paper. This algorithm is more powerful when compared to other existing filtering algorithms in terms of speckle suppression for synthetic aperture radar images where the presence of speckle makes the ratio of standard deviation to mean (...

This paper presents segmentation of radar imagery by two steps: 1. Initial segmentation using wavelet transform techniques and the watershed method; 2. Segment merging using the Gaussian Markov random field models. The method can be applied to both single-channel and multi-channel images

Interferometric SAR (InSAR) techniques permit the production of elevation maps of an area through interpretation of interference fringes between two SAR images of the same region. However, uncertainty in orbit determination causes an absolute height error of the order of several hundred meters. It is a systematic error which affects every point in...

The output from regular mapping and monitoring of urban areas provides an important source of information for urban planners and decision makers. The use of remotely sensed data to provide this information has been successful in particular environments but has had only limited success in tropical zone countries where cloud and rain often restrict t...

An effective algorithm for speckle noise smoothing using wavelet transform techniques is presented. Recursive wavelet transforms are used to gradually suppress speckle noise. It is found that this algorithm is more powerful compared to other existing filtering algorithms in terms of speckle suppression for synthetic aperture radar images. Examples...

Australian companies and government departments are major contributors to land titling projects in developing countries. To support these projects, and in particular the Indonesian Land Administrative Program (ILAP), the School of Geomatic Engineering, The University of New South Wales, has developed a Graduate Diploma and a Master degree in the fi...

Building (street) orientation is one of the important parameters for estimation of building bulk size (height and width) from corner reflector effects using remotely sensed radar image data. However, this parameter is difficult to obtain directly from radar data. Other sensor data such as optical and near infrared data may provide possibilities. Th...

A full understanding of radar backscatter from urban areas is necessary in order to develop a robust methodology for monitoring and classifying urban characteristics using remotely sensed Synthetic Aperture Radar images.This paper examines the dominant backscattering mechanisms such as single bounce from roofs, double bounce from wall-ground struct...

Radar or microwave remote sensing is becoming an increasingly important tool for monitoring earth resources, particularly in tropical zone countries where clouds interfere with the reception of visible and near infrared sensors. Currently, worldwide, there is considerable research activity in the use of radar using different wavelengths, different...

Partial polarization is common in multi-look polarimetric images, although a polarimetric radar measures the complete scattering matrix of a target. This Letter indicates how the partial polarization arises, discusses the relationships between the coefficient of variation and partial polarization, and shows that the degree of polarization can be ex...

The technique of weighted least squares (WLS) is used to obtain the optimal decomposition of radar polarization signatures, in which, backscatter is assumed to consist of odd, double, Bragg and cross scattering mechanisms. The results of the decomposition agree with our understanding of radar backscatter, providing information for polarimetric imag...

The integrating effect of the point spread function of a satellite remote sensing system significantly affects the signature from a single cover class if the surrounding cover is dissimilar and also reduces the spatial resolution of the output data. Digital SPOT P-Mode data acquired over linear ground edge and impulse features were analysed to dete...

The distribution of suspended particles of different size is investigated using Landsat-TM in coastal waters near a sewage outfall, Sydney, Australia. Following a discussion of the relations between visible response and suspended particles a model is developed, via regression analysis, relating TM data and ocean sampled particle size data. This all...

This paper describes an experiment where sea water quality parameters were determined using data from the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite remote sensing system over a coastal sewage outfall area. The parameters determined included turbidity, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-i, phaeopigment and total pigment. The area investigated was a sewage outf...

The variation of radiometric response over urban residential areas, as recorded by a sensor, is considered to be a function of the size and spatial distribution of housing units and the pixel size of the remote sensing system. Using data from thirty residential sites over the Sydney metropolitan area, and SPOT HRV and Landsat TM data, the relation...

The paper summarises the currently available satellite remote sensing systems, including SPOT, Landsat TM and MSS, MOS‐1, IRS‐1A and NOAA type systems. The resolution and scale of output product of these systems are examined in more detail and recommendations made as to the appropriate level of land information that can be usefully acquired. Proble...

Remote Sensing plays a key role in the mapping and management of the Australian continent. An account is given of the present state of remote sensing in Australia covering facilities and equipment, education and training, software and hardware developments, and the current activities of the various government organisations involved in remote sensin...

An account is given of the present slate of remote sensing in Australia, covering the facilities and equipment, education and training, software and hardware developments, and research activities in the fields of agriculture, geology, disaster monitoring, surveying and cartography, land management, water conservation, oceanography and meteorology....

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is actively involved in the development of spaceborne synthetic aperture radar systems. Its program has included the launch of Seasat in 1978, Shuttle Imaging Radar A (SIR-A) in 1981, and the most recent SIR-B in October of 1984. This paper briefly outlines the latter program and gives d...

Following the success of the Landsat series of remote sensing systems, first launched in 1972, a number of countries have launched or are planning to launch, other spaceborne systems. This paper details the factors that are influencing the design of these systems under the headings of spatial resolution, spectral resolution, system flexibility and...

A discussion of the benefits of satellite remote sensing to urban studies is followed by a consideration of resolution requirements and associated problems. Problems include loss of contextual clues for interpretation, heterogeneity of cover surfaces, temporal differences in atmospheric effects and registration of different scenes. A number of solu...

Remote Sensing, in the form of air photographs, has been used in urban analysis since the nineteenth century. This paper chronicles some of its contributions from then until the present day and introduces the reader to the current and future high resolution spaceborne systems that will increasingly provide information to the urban analyst. Resoluti...

The complexities and detail of urban scenes make it imperative that atmospheric effects are removed from satellite remotely sensed data prior to analysis. A study of atmospheric theory allows a simplified procedure to be developed for correction of multitemporal LANDSAT MSS scenes. Examples in the visible and near infrared, from a summer and winter...

The utility of SIR-B data for analysis of surface properties and subsurface morphology in three arid regions of Australia is investigated. This study area is located in western New South Wales. It contains extensive aeolian and alluvially derived depositional plains and is the site of the University's Arid Zone Research Station; it is well-mapped a...

Some criteria for determining the areas of priority for mapping in a developing country are examined. An overlay method is developed to determine the spatial distribution of these priorities. Factors such as population density, agriculture potential, transport accessibility are used in the overlay process. Particular reference is made to Papua New...

Limited dynamic resources (fire fighting staff and fire equipment) have to be allocated on the basis of spatio-temporal factors, which may influence fire hazard and vulnerability (risk) in urban environments. On the one hand there is a need to develop a model that inputs spatio-temporal variables and enables spatial analysis of such variables for t...