About Remote Sensing: Working with Imagery and LiDAR

This two-day workshop is designed as an introduction into remote sensing and provide experience working with and analyzing imagery and LiDAR data. The following descriptions explain what each day of the workshop will cover. Both days provide a well-rounded foundation into remote sensing.

First Day: Working with Imagery

This day will cover a variety of topics associated with working with and analyzing imagery data. The primary audience are individuals that have experience using GIS and working with spatial data but would like to know more about image analysis and remote sensing. We will begin with an overview of data structures and data sources and how to visualize remotely sensed data as false color composites. Next, we will explore common preprocessing methods including band stacking, merging and clipping, resampling, and contrast enhancement. The class will end with an overview of methods used to extract useful information from imagery data including creating band ratios, performing unsupervised and supervised classification, and comparing images to detect change.

Second Day: Working with LiDAR

This day will cover a variety of topics associated with working with and analyzing LiDAR data. The primary audience are individuals that have experience using GIS and working with spatial data but would like to know more about LiDAR analysis and remote sensing. We will begin with an overview of how LiDAR data are collected and how the resulting point clouds are represented, stored, and compressed. This will include a discussion of LiDAR metadata and sensor characteristics. We will then explore a range of techniques for visualizing LiDAR data in both a 2D and 3D space. Lastly, we will investigate methods to extract useful information form LiDAR including performing filtering and classification and creating digital surface models, digital terrain models, intensity images, and terrain metrics.

Additional Information

INSTRUCTOR: Aaron Maxwell, WVU Teaching Assistant Professor of Geography

CONTACT: Aaron.Maxwell@mail.wvu.edu

COURSE PREREQUISITES: GIS Foundations or equivalent experience preferred.

WORKSHOP MATERIALS: Materials will be provided digitally by the instructor.

PARKING: Parking permits will be provided to those who request them through the registration form. Additional fees may be required.

MEALS AND BEVERAGES: Meals and beverages are not provided for this event. There will be designated times for lunch, but attendees must furnish their own meals and beverages for the day. Beverage use is restricted while in the computer labs.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC: We are doing everything we can to ensure in-person instruction for this workshop, and we continue to follow West Virginia University's COVID-19 protocols. It is possible, still, that the ongoing pandemic prevents in-person instruction. In your registration form, you will be given the choice of virtual, asynchronous (through Zoom Meetings) instruction or a full refund of your registration fee if such a cancellation occurs. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to monitor the situation.

CANCELLATION POLICY: WVAGP policy requires a minimum of 8 registrations to confirm a course. If the threshold is not met by EOB on Friday, May 26th, 2023, the course will be cancelled and all fees refunded. If a student is unable to attend, cancellation prior to May 26th, 2023 will be provided a full refund. You must contact WVAGP directly for the cancellation.