Influence of vegetation canopies on solar potential in urban environments

Solar energy is clearly a promising option among the many available sources of renewable energy, and its market has seen outstanding growth. Careful evaluation to determine suitable locations for photovoltaic installations is needed, however, as their efficiency is highly dependent on exposure to sun. Especially in urban environments, quantifying the shadows cast by other buildings and vegetation canopies may be essential. In the present study, we used light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and geographic information systems (GIS) to assess the influence of shading vegetation on solar irradiation estimates in five European towns. The fraction of annual solar irradiation lost to shading by existing vegetation ranged between 3% and 11%. The fraction lost was higher in winter and lower in summer. Due to greater incoming solar radiation in summer, however, more than 50% of annual loss was accounted for in summer. We suggest that at the broad scale of whole cities the influence of vegetation on rooftop solar potential estimates is negligible (especially in densely populated areas). Analyses which do not consider vegetation because of data availability nevertheless provide valuable insight into localities' solar potential.     

考虑多大气参数不确定性的地面太阳短波辐射估算误差数学期望

以香港地面站观测的AOD与WVC数据为参照,首先分析了MISR/AOD和MODIS/WVC产品的不确定性描述方法,然后在考虑二者联合不确定性的影响下,推导了辐射传输方程法估算地面太阳短波辐射的相对误差分布函数。通过统计2005―2013年香港MISR/AOD和MODIS/WVC反演值的分布情况,得出两者的联合概率密度函数,然后将AOD和WVC的联合概率密度函数作为权重函数与相对误差分布函数积分,得到对辐射传输方程法估算地面太阳短波辐射的相对误差数学期望。结果表明,夏季在太阳天顶角为0°时,使用MISR/AOD和MODIS/WVC产品估算地面太阳短波辐射的相对误差期望为3.17%,并且有90%的把握使估算结果相对误差＜3.53%;不同季节不同太阳天顶角下、不同置信水平下,地面太阳短波辐射估算的相对误差大小,可为不同应用研究提供基础数据,为评估亚热带地面太阳短波辐射估算结果是否符合应用需求提供依据。     

Topographic solar radiation models for GIS

Abstract

Incident solar radiation at the Earth's surface is the result of a complex interaction of energy between the atmosphere and the surface. Recently much progress has been made towards the creation of accurate, physically-based solar radiation formulations that can model this interaction over topographic and other surfaces (such as plant canopies) for a large range of spatial and temporal scales. In this paper we summarize our current work on solar radiation models and their implementation within both GIS and image processing systems. An overview of the effects of topography and plant canopies on solar radiation is presented along with a discussion of various options for obtaining the data necessary to drive specific solar radiation models. Examples are given from our own work using two models, ATM (Atmospheric and Topographic Model), a model based within an image processing framework, and SOLARFLUX, a GIS-based model. We consider issues of design, including GIS implementation and interface, computational problems, and error propagation.     

Assessment of sliver polygons in geographical vector data

As positional error is a major issue in the assessment of spatial data quality, its propagation has been studied widely in map overlaying. However, few studies deal with a manifest consequence of positional error in map overlaying, namely sliver polygons. Sliver polygons are generally treated as awkward by-products that need to be removed quickly. Nevertheless, as they represent spurious areas, their nature and properties carry useful information, for example, for land use/cover assessment. Therefore, next to sliver removal, there is a need for intelligent detection and eventually further analysis of sliver polygons. This article proposes a general, semi-automated method for the assessment of slivers in vector polygon layers. A case study in Flanders (Belgium) illustrates a possible application in area estimation evaluation of land use allocation classes.     

基于紧密型二三维结合的GIS构架与系统实现

在三维系统中实时渲染二维图层是实现紧密型二三维结合GIS的关键.该文在二三维结合实现三维GIS的基础上,提出了基于LOD(Level of Detail)的二维图层与三维地形叠加的渲染构架和紧密型二三维结合GIS的初步系统构架,并利用ArcGIS Engine 开发包与World Wind开源软件实现了该原型系统.系统运行结果表明,该构架完全能够满足紧密型二三维结合GIS对渲染效果和效率的要求,成功解决了紧密型二三维结合系统的关键问题.     

An efficient measure of compactness for two-dimensional shapes and its application in regionalization problems

A measure of shape compactness is a numerical quantity representing the degree to which a shape is compact. Ways to provide an accurate measure have been given great attention due to its application in a broad range of GIS problems, such as detecting clustering patterns from remote-sensing images, understanding urban sprawl, and redrawing electoral districts to avoid gerrymandering. In this article, we propose an effective and efficient approach to computing shape compactness based on the moment of inertia (MI), a well-known concept in physics. The mathematical framework and the computer implementation for both raster and vector models are discussed in detail. In addition to computing compactness for a single shape, we propose a computational method that is capable of calculating the variations in compactness as a shape grows or shrinks, which is a typical application found in regionalization problems. We conducted a number of experiments that demonstrate the superiority of the MI over the popular isoperimetric quotient approach in terms of (1) computational efficiency; (2) tolerance of positional uncertainty and irregular boundaries; (3) ability to handle shapes with holes and multiple parts; and (4) applicability and efficacy in districting/zonation/regionalization problems.     

Uncertainty modeling and analysis of surface area calculation based on a regular grid digital elevation model (DEM)

In the field of digital terrain analysis (DTA), the principle and method of uncertainty in surface area calculation (SAC) have not been deeply developed and need to be further studied. This paper considers the uncertainty of data sources from the digital elevation model (DEM) and SAC in DTA to perform the following investigations: (a) truncation error (TE) modeling and analysis, (b) modeling and analysis of SAC propagation error (PE) by using Monte-Carlo simulation techniques and spatial autocorrelation error to simulate DEM uncertainty. The simulation experiments show that (a) without the introduction of the DEM error, higher DEM resolution and lower terrain complexity lead to smaller TE and absolute error (AE); (b) with the introduction of the DEM error, the DEM resolution and terrain complexity influence the AE and standard deviation (SD) of the SAC, but the trends by which the two values change may be not consistent; and (c) the spatial distribution of the introduced random error determines the size and degree of the deviation between the calculated result and the true value of the surface area. This study provides insights regarding the principle and method of uncertainty in SACs in geographic information science (GIScience) and provides guidance to quantify SAC uncertainty.     

地理信息系统支持下的坡面太阳辐射计算

本文介绍了在地理信息系统(GIS)的空间数据席支持下的区域坡面太阳辐射计算方法。使用该方法,可用计算机按地表实际的地形参数计算山区地表接受太阳总辐射,直接辐射和散射辐射的日、月、年总量,揭示其空间分布规律。这对区域的自然与生态环境研宄具有更要价值。     

Error assessment of grid-based direct solar radiation models

This research assessed two grid-based direct solar radiation models, ESRI’s Solar Analyst (SA) and Kumar’s model (KM), using artificial surfaces. Mathematically derived radiation on the surfaces was compared with grid-based model results. While both models showed good consistency with theoretical derivations, they both underestimated direct radiation at daily, most seasonal, and annual scales. KM performed better than SA at all the scales except at annual scale and in the summer. Horizon angle calculation and numerical integration are the common error sources in both models. Interpolation in horizontal angles and the use of a sky size parameter are the additional error sources in SA. Larger errors were found in SA when the sky size parameter and modeling time interval were not compatible. Overall, KM is a better choice for direct solar radiation modeling as it is more accurate and computationally efficient, easier to understand, and needs fewer parameters.     

Error assessment of grid-based diffuse solar radiation models

Two grid-based diffuse solar radiation models, ESRI’s Solar Analyst (SA) and Kumar’s model (KM), were assessed using a data-independent approach where each model’s numerical results of clear sky diffuse radiation on V/U-shaped surfaces were compared with analytical results derived using each model’s assumptions. SA and KM consistently underestimate and overestimate, respectively, diffuse radiation at daily, seasonal, and annual scale relative to the analytical results based on each model’s parameterizations. Overall, SA performs better than KM in modeling diffuse radiation at most timescales. While SA and KM have similar error in calculating diffuse radiation on a horizontal surface, SA models sky view factor much better than KM, with mean absolute relative differences of 0.76% and 17.02%, respectively. KM has a large error in sky view factor as it does not consider the shading effect from surrounding terrain. Sky view factor error in SA is small and use of more zenith divisions can further reduce the error. Based on our previous study, model performance on clear sky global solar radiation was also evaluated. Overall, KM performs better than SA in global radiation as KM performs better than SA in modeling direct radiation which is the major component of global radiation.     

Developing and testing of an error propagation model for GIS overlay operations

Abstract

This study examines the propagation of thematic error through GIS overlay operations. Existing error propagation models for these operations are shown to yield results that are inconsistent with actual levels of propagation error. An alternate model is described that yields more consistent results. This model is based on the frequency of errors of omission and commission in input data. Model output can be used to compute a variety of error indices for data derived from different overlay operations.     

Positional accuracy and measurement error in digital databases of land use: an empirical study

This paper discusses the issues of positional accuracy and measurement error in the context of a large empirical study of landscape change in England and Wales. The epsilon band model of digitizing accuracy is used to make estimates of the levels of positional uncertainty and measurement error that is due to digitizing polygon outlines. The degree of error expected had the same polygons been captured in raster format is then determined. These results prompt a general discussion of the nature of error in spatial databases.     

过去千年太阳活动异常期的中国东部旱涝格局

根据过去千年中国东部旱涝等级资料,采用各级旱涝发生几率的比率差指标,参照新近重建的5条过去千年太阳活动序列,重建了其间11个太阳活动异常期的中国东部旱涝格局。结果发现：在11个太阳活动异常期,中国东部旱涝格局各不相同。其中在5个太阳活动极小期（1010-1050年、1280-1350年、1460-1550年、1645-1715年、1795-1823年）,中国东部旱涝格局虽不一致,但长江中下游地区（华北地区）出现偏旱（涝）的几率更高;而在2个太阳活动极大期和4个太阳辐射高值期,中世纪极大（1100-1250年）整个东部多偏旱,1845-1873年的太阳辐射高值期,整个东部多偏涝;其余4个时段（1351-1387年、1593-1612年、1756-1787年、1920-2000年）则旱涝相间出现。集合平均表明：在太阳活动极小期,中国东部呈自南向北的“涝—旱—涝”分布：长江流域偏旱,南北两侧的华南沿海和华北平原偏涝,且西北东部及西南偏旱;而在太阳活动极大期和太阳辐射高值期,长江流域及西北东部多偏涝,华南和华北多偏旱。     

基于Web Geocoding的三维GIS快速定位方法研究

三维GIS技术已经逐渐发展成熟,其对客观世界的表达能给人以更真实的感受,然而三维GIS软件所需数据是海量的。由于遥感技术的发展,纹理数据的获取和处理已经变得容易和快速,而对于矢量数据的采集、存储是一个非常艰巨的工作,如何在短期内获取海量、精确的矢量地理信息数据,减少数据采集的费用和时间成了一大难题。通过基于网络的地理编码来查询获取矢量点状地理信息,将地理信息存储到本地数据库,并且将数据应用到系统中进行快速定位显示,实现地理位置的实时定位和查询,为各种专题三维GIS软件开发提供服务和扩展功能。     

An integrated TIN and Grid method for constructing multi‐resolution digital terrain models

Multi‐resolution terrain models are an efficient approach to improve the speed of three‐dimensional (3D) visualizations, especially for terrain visualization in Geographical Information Systems (GIS). As a further development to existing algorithms and models, a new model is proposed for the construction of multi‐resolution terrain models in a 3D GIS. The new model represents multi‐resolution terrains using two major methods for terrain representation: Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) and regular grid (Grid). In this paper, first, the concepts and formal definitions of the new model are presented. Second, the methodology for constructing multi‐resolution terrain models based on the new model is proposed. Third, the error of multi‐resolution terrain models is analysed, and a set of rules is proposed to retain the important features (e.g. boundaries of man‐made objects) within the multi‐resolution terrain models. Finally, several experiments are undertaken to test the performance of the new model. The experimental results demonstrate that the new model can be applied to construct multi‐resolution terrain models with good performance in terms of time cost and maintenance of the important features. Furthermore, a comparison with previous algorithms/models shows that the speed of rendering for 3D walking/flying through has been greatly improved by applying the new model.     

Quantifying positional error induced by line simplification

This study examines the effects of line simplification on the positional accuracy of linear features. The goal is to quantify the relation between the level of simplification and the degree of positional error, so that users can choose appropriate levels of simplification that will yield results meeting specific accuracy criteria. The study focuses on the Douglas-Peucker line simplification algorithm and examines both natural and anthropogenic features (streams and roads) derived from United States Geological Survey Digital Line Graphs. Results show that error can be modelled at an aggregate level using cumulative frequency curves and their confidence limits. This makes it possible to identify the level of simplification that eliminates the largest number of vertices while still attaining a specific positional accuracy standard. A simple implementation strategy is described in which an optimal level of simplification is identified and simplification is applied selectively for different lines. The study shows that management of simplification induced error is possible using simple tools well within the reach of GIS users.     

A visualization-oriented 3D method for efficient computation of urban solar radiation based on 3D–2D surface mapping

The temporal and spatial distribution of solar energy in urban areas is highly variable because of the complex building structures present. Traditional GIS-based solar radiation models rely on two-dimensional (2D) digital elevation models to calculate insolation, without considering building facades and complicated three-dimensional (3D) shading effects. Inspired by the ‘texture baking’ technique used in computer graphics, we propose a full 3D method for computing and visualizing urban solar radiation based on image-space data representation. First, a surface mapping approach is employed to project each 3D triangular mesh onto a 2D raster surface whose cell size determines the calculation accuracy. Second, the positions and surface normal vectors of each 3D triangular mesh are rasterized onto the associated 2D raster using barycentric interpolation techniques. An efficient compute unified device architecture -accelerated shadow-casting algorithm is presented to accurately capture shading effects for large-scale 3D urban models. Solar radiation is calculated for each raster cell based on the input raster layers containing such information as slope, aspect, and shadow masks. Finally, a resulting insolation raster layer is produced for each triangular mesh and is represented as an RGB texture map using a color ramp. Because a virtual city can be composed of tens of thousands of triangular meshes and texture maps, a texture atlas technique is presented to merge thousands of small images into a single large image to batch draw calls and thereby efficiently render a large number of textured meshes on the graphics processing unit.     

An application-driven approach to terrain model construction

Terrain is a surface phenomenon that is measured, modelled, and mapped. However, it is continuously variable and must be simulated by points or mathematical equations that are inherently approximations. The error induced by digitally represented terrain can propagate to surface derivatives and geographical information science (GIS) applications where topography is considered. This can lead to uncertainty in model predictions and the use of data that are unfit for the application to which they are intended. This article outlines the problem of uncertainty in terrain representation and demonstrates the consequences for volcanic mudflow modelling. The response of a simple least-cost single flow algorithm to input parameters was investigated in order to assess output variation from the different sources of input variation. Elevation error was modelled with a probability density function (PDF) and propagated through stochastic simulation (Monte Carlo). Such combined uncertainty and sensitivity analyses enabled a qualitative judgement of the relative significance of elevation error on the flow model prediction. Different methods for terrain model construction were considered and show that supplementing global positioning system (GPS) measurements with information from field notes and reconnaissance photographs greatly improved the model performance and reduced the uncertainty. It is concluded that in terms of validity of model results, there is no substitute for constructing an elevation model that is informed by the terrain.     

Analysis of positional uncertainty of road networks in volunteered geographic information with a statistically defined buffer-zone method

Volunteered geographic information (VGI) is crowdsourced information that can enrich and enhance research and applications based on geo-referenced data. However, the quality of VGI is of great concern, and positional accuracy is a fundamental basis for the VGI quality assurance. A buffer-zone method can be used for its assessment, but the buffer radius in this technique is subjectively specified; as result, different selections of the buffer radius lead to different positional accuracies. To solve this problem, a statistically defined buffer zone for the positional accuracy assessment in VGI is proposed in this study. To facilitate practical applications, we have also developed an iterative method to obtain a theoretically defined buffer zone. In addition to the positional accuracy assessment, we have derived a measure of positional quality, which comprises the assessment of positional accuracy and the level of confidence in such assessment determined with respect to a statistically defined buffer zone. To illustrate and substantiate the theoretical arguments, both numerical simulations and real-life experiments are performed using OpenStreetMap. The experimental results confirm the high significance of the proposed statistical approach to the buffer zone-based assessment of the positional uncertainty in VGI.     

Positional uncertainty in manually digitized map data

Digital map coordinates represent the locations of real world entities. As such, differences can exist between the ‘tru’ and digital database coordinates of those entities. This paper reports on a statistical characterization of positional error in manually-digitized and map-registered point data, the relative contribution of point type and operator to digitization error, and the effects of map media type on the positional uncertainty associated with registration.

Manually-digitized point data were collected by four operators from mylar and paper maps. Point locations for a number of different feature types were sampled from United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1:24 000 scale maps. Linear models were used to estimate the variance components due to among-operator, map media, point type and registration effects. The statistical distribution of signed distance deviations for manually-digitized data was leptokurtic relative to a random normal variate. Unsigned deviations averaged 0-054 mm. Squared distance deviations were not different from a Chi-square random variate. Variance components indicate that among-operator differences in positional uncertainty were large and statistically significant, while differences among point type were small and non-significant. Signed distance deviations associated with a first-order afhne followed a normal distribution. Unsigned distance deviations associated with a first-order affinc transformation averaged 0068mm, and squared distance deviations were distributed as a Chi-square. Differences in transformation accuracy were not related to type of map media.