The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is looking into innovative methods for collecting, monitoring, and managing noxious weeds species infestations along Colorado roadways. For example, it is known airborne hyperspectral sensors can acquire data with high spatial and spectral resolution. This pilot study is intended to capture remote sensing hyperspectral data to map noxious weeds from lists: A, B, and C, Colorado Noxious Weed Act on three potential corridors US 285, I-76, and SH 12.
A basic objective of this study is to classify noxious weed species by distinguishing spectral reflectance curves applied to hyperspectral imagery. This can be seen as a first effort to be used as a foundation for long-term remote sensing weed mapping analysis and management. Benefits could be enormous.
- Planning – quantify how much area needs to be treated for noxious weeds infestation,
- Site-specific spraying – be able to prioritize spraying applications by list of species A, B and C,
- The use of drones – for geotagging site specific chemical applications,
- Budgeting – allocate resources like materials and manpower to site specific conditions, and
- Other – derived benefits in the collection of hyperspectral remote sensing like spectral signature analysis for pavement road conditions, asset conditions and database updates.
It is hoped this study will provide an initial assessment to identify noxious weed species along CDOT managed roadways using remote sensing hyperspectral methods and evaluate its potential capabilities to implement it statewide.
Statewide