Systems and methods for identifying inclined regions

A computer-implemented method for identifying region incline from overhead imagery, the method comprising:

• receiving shadow data for at least one first ground object depicted in a first region of an overhead image, wherein the shadow data comprises a length of the respective first ground object as identified from the overhead image;
• receiving shadow data for at least one second comparable ground object depicted in a second region of the overhead image, wherein the shadow data comprises a length of the respective second ground object as identified from the overhead image;
• calculating a statistical measure describing the variability of the shadow lengths between objects in the first region and the second region;
• comparing the statistical measure to a predetermined threshold;
• and
• based on the comparison, identifying that the first region is inclined relative to the_second region.

An apparatus comprising

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code;
• the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
• receive shadow data for at least one first ground object in a first region, wherein each first ground object is depicted in one overhead image of the first region, wherein the shadow data comprises a length of the respective first ground object as identified from the respective overhead image;
• receive shadow data for at least one second comparable ground object in a second region, wherein each second ground object is depicted in one overhead image of the second region, wherein the shadow data comprises a length of the respective second ground object as identified from the respective overhead image;
• calculate a statistical measure describing the variability of the shadow lengths between objects in the first region and the second region;
• compare the statistical measure to a predetermined threshold;
• and
• based on the comparison, identify that the first region is inclined relative to the second region.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions which, when executed on an computer, cause the computer to:

• receive shadow data for at least one first ground object in a first region, wherein each first ground object is depicted in one overhead image of the first region, wherein the shadow data comprises a length of the respective first ground object as identified from the respective overhead image;
• receive shadow data for at least one second comparable ground object in a second region, wherein each second ground object is depicted in one overhead image of the second region, wherein the shadow data comprises a length of the respective second ground object as identified from the respective overhead image;
• calculate a statistical measure describing the variability of the shadow lengths between objects in the first region and the second region;
• compare the statistical measure to a predetermined threshold;
• and
• based on the comparison, identify that the first region is inclined relative to the second region.