Automated Road Mapping
Description
Road and trail maps are essential for effective fire response, forest management, and public safety in wildland areas. Unfortunately, many existing maps are outdated or incomplete. Forest Service employees currently rely on time-consuming and labor-intensive methods like GPS mapping.
Detailed example
The AI system produces high resolution images of mapped roads within areas managed by the Forest Service.
AI / analytics pattern
Computer Vision: AI that processes and interprets visual data (e.g., images and videos).
Automation level / stage
b) Pilot – The use case has been deployed in a limited test or pilot capacity.
Expected benefit
Effective implementation may enable the Forest Service to more comprehensively manage road network data at lower cost. Improved data can increase safety on federal lands.
Controls / human review
ATO: No; PIA: Not published
Data needed
Training data was collected using LiDAR digital terrain models and National Agriculture Imagery Program imagery. Approximately 2000 image patches were generated for initial model training.