The GRAZ Method—Determination of Urban Surface Temperatures from Aerial Thermography Based on a Three-Dimensional Sampling Algorithm

A novel method to derive surface temperatures from aerial thermography is proposed. Its theoretical foundation, details regarding the implementation, relevant sensitivities, and its application on a day and night survey are presented here. The method differs from existing approaches particularly in...

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Main Authors: Daniel Rüdisser, Thomas Posch, Wolfgang Sulzer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/21/3949
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author Daniel Rüdisser
Thomas Posch
Wolfgang Sulzer
author_facet Daniel Rüdisser
Thomas Posch
Wolfgang Sulzer
author_sort Daniel Rüdisser
collection DOAJ
description A novel method to derive surface temperatures from aerial thermography is proposed. Its theoretical foundation, details regarding the implementation, relevant sensitivities, and its application on a day and night survey are presented here. The method differs from existing approaches particularly in two aspects: first, a three-dimensional sampling approach is used to determine the reflected thermal radiation component. Different surface classes based on hyperspectral classification with specific properties regarding the reflection and emission of thermal radiation are considered in this sampling process. Second, the method relies on a detailed, altitude-dependent, directionally and spectrally resolved modelling of the atmospheric radiation transfer and considers the spectral sensitivity of the sensor used. In order to accurately consider atmospheric influences, the atmosphere is modelled as a function of altitude regarding temperature, pressure and greenhouse gas concentrations. The atmospheric profiles are generated specifically for the time of the survey based on measurements, meteorological forecasts and generic models. The method was initially developed for application in urban contexts, as it is able to capture the pronounced three-dimensional character of such environments. However, due to the detailed consideration of elevation and atmospheric conditions, the method is also valuable for the analysis of rural areas. The included case studies covering two thermographic surveys of city area of Graz during daytime and nighttime demonstrate the capabilities and feasibility of the method. In relation to the detected brightness temperatures apparent to the sensor, the determined surface temperatures vary considerably and generally cover an increased temperature range. The two processed surface temperature maps of the city area of Graz are finally used to validate the method based on available temperature recordings.
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spelling doaj-art-b074171f1c3d45028fbb33bdac8ee3c82025-08-20T02:49:56ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922024-10-011621394910.3390/rs16213949The GRAZ Method—Determination of Urban Surface Temperatures from Aerial Thermography Based on a Three-Dimensional Sampling AlgorithmDaniel Rüdisser0Thomas Posch1Wolfgang Sulzer2HTflux Engineering GmbH, 8010 Graz, AustriaDepartment of Geography and Spatial Research, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, AustriaDepartment of Geography and Spatial Research, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, AustriaA novel method to derive surface temperatures from aerial thermography is proposed. Its theoretical foundation, details regarding the implementation, relevant sensitivities, and its application on a day and night survey are presented here. The method differs from existing approaches particularly in two aspects: first, a three-dimensional sampling approach is used to determine the reflected thermal radiation component. Different surface classes based on hyperspectral classification with specific properties regarding the reflection and emission of thermal radiation are considered in this sampling process. Second, the method relies on a detailed, altitude-dependent, directionally and spectrally resolved modelling of the atmospheric radiation transfer and considers the spectral sensitivity of the sensor used. In order to accurately consider atmospheric influences, the atmosphere is modelled as a function of altitude regarding temperature, pressure and greenhouse gas concentrations. The atmospheric profiles are generated specifically for the time of the survey based on measurements, meteorological forecasts and generic models. The method was initially developed for application in urban contexts, as it is able to capture the pronounced three-dimensional character of such environments. However, due to the detailed consideration of elevation and atmospheric conditions, the method is also valuable for the analysis of rural areas. The included case studies covering two thermographic surveys of city area of Graz during daytime and nighttime demonstrate the capabilities and feasibility of the method. In relation to the detected brightness temperatures apparent to the sensor, the determined surface temperatures vary considerably and generally cover an increased temperature range. The two processed surface temperature maps of the city area of Graz are finally used to validate the method based on available temperature recordings.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/21/3949aerial thermographyland surface temperaturesland surface emissivitytemperature retrievalradiometric measurementatmospheric radiative transfer
spellingShingle Daniel Rüdisser
Thomas Posch
Wolfgang Sulzer
The GRAZ Method—Determination of Urban Surface Temperatures from Aerial Thermography Based on a Three-Dimensional Sampling Algorithm
Remote Sensing
aerial thermography
land surface temperatures
land surface emissivity
temperature retrieval
radiometric measurement
atmospheric radiative transfer
title The GRAZ Method—Determination of Urban Surface Temperatures from Aerial Thermography Based on a Three-Dimensional Sampling Algorithm
title_full The GRAZ Method—Determination of Urban Surface Temperatures from Aerial Thermography Based on a Three-Dimensional Sampling Algorithm
title_fullStr The GRAZ Method—Determination of Urban Surface Temperatures from Aerial Thermography Based on a Three-Dimensional Sampling Algorithm
title_full_unstemmed The GRAZ Method—Determination of Urban Surface Temperatures from Aerial Thermography Based on a Three-Dimensional Sampling Algorithm
title_short The GRAZ Method—Determination of Urban Surface Temperatures from Aerial Thermography Based on a Three-Dimensional Sampling Algorithm
title_sort graz method determination of urban surface temperatures from aerial thermography based on a three dimensional sampling algorithm
topic aerial thermography
land surface temperatures
land surface emissivity
temperature retrieval
radiometric measurement
atmospheric radiative transfer
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/21/3949
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