Using Deep Learning and Advanced Image Processing for the Automated Estimation of Tornado-Induced Treefall

作     者：Nasimi, Mitra Wood, Richard L. 

作者机构：Univ Nebraska Dept Civil & Environm Engn Lincoln NE 68588 USA 

出 版 物：《REMOTE SENSING》 (遥感)

年 卷 期：2024年第16卷第7期

页      面：1130页

核心收录：

学科分类：0830[工学-环境科学与工程（可授工学、理学、农学学位）] 1002[医学-临床医学] 070801[理学-固体地球物理学] 07[理学] 08[工学] 0708[理学-地球物理学] 0816[工学-测绘科学与技术] 

基　　金：National Science Foundation 

主　　题：tornado damage treefall damage assessment deep learning aerial imagery 

摘      要：Each year, numerous tornadoes occur in forested regions of the United States. Due to the substantial number of fallen trees and accessibility issues, many of these tornadoes remain poorly documented and evaluated. The process of documenting tree damage to assess tornado intensity is known as the treefall method, an established and reliable technique for estimating near-surface wind speed. Consequently, the demand for documenting fallen trees has increased in recent years. However, the treefall method proves to be extremely expensive and time-consuming, requiring a laborious assessment of each treefall instance. This research proposes a novel approach to evaluating treefall in large, forested regions using deep learning-based automated detection and advanced image processing techniques. The developed treefall method relies on high-resolution aerial imagery from a damaged forest and involves three main steps: (1) instance segmentation detection, (2) estimating tree taper and predicting fallen tree directions, and (3) obtaining subsampled treefall vector results indicating the predominant flow direction in geospatial coordinates. To demonstrate the method s effectiveness, the algorithm was applied to a tornado track rated EF-4, which occurred on 10 December 2021, cutting through the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky. Upon observation of the predicted results, the model is demonstrated to accurately predict the predominant treefall angles. This deep-learning-based treefall algorithm has the potential to speed up data processing and facilitate the application of treefall methods in tornado evaluation.