Automated hazard recognition using multiparameter analysis of aerial imagery

A computer program product, the computer program product comprising one or more computer readable storage media, and program instructions collectively stored on the one or more computer readable storage media, the program instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

• identifying, by a processor, a tree type of vegetation depicted by a portion of an inputted aerial image;
• segmenting, by the processor, the portion of the inputted image resulting in a contour line that defines a perimeter of a tree and shape characteristics depicted in the portion of the inputted image;
• detecting, by a processor, that the tree is within a buffer distance from a power line by determining a distance between a depiction of the power line in the aerial image and a point on the contour line;
• determining, by the processor, a species of the tree by comparing the contour line to candidate contour lines corresponding to respective different species of trees, the comparing comprising calculating a center point of the contour line, aligning the center point with a first center point of a first contour line from the candidate contour lines, and calculating an average deviation between a point on the contour line and a first point on the first contour line;
• calculating, by the processor, a shape and a diameter of a crown of the tree using the contour line;
• estimating, by the processor, a height of the tree based on the species of the tree and the diameter of the crown of the tree;
• calculating, by the processor, a risk value for the tree based on a risk of contact between the power line and the tree;
• and
• issuing, by the processor, a work order to maintain the tree to prevent contact with the power line based on the risk value.

A computer system comprising one or more processors and one or more computer readable storage media, and program instructions collectively stored on the one or more computer readable storage media, the program instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

• identifying, by a processor, a tree type of vegetation depicted by a portion of an inputted aerial image;
• segmenting, by the processor, the portion of the inputted image resulting in a contour line that defines a perimeter of a tree and shape characteristics depicted in the portion of the inputted image;
• detecting, by a processor, that the tree is within a buffer distance from a power line by determining a distance between a depiction of the power line in the aerial image and a point on the contour line;
• determining, by the processor, a species of the tree by comparing the contour line to candidate contour lines corresponding to respective different species of trees, the comparing comprising calculating a center point of the contour line, aligning the center point with a first center point of a first contour line from the candidate contour lines, and calculating an average deviation between a point on the contour line and a first point on the first contour line;
• calculating, by the processor, a shape and a diameter of a crown of the tree using the contour line;
• estimating, by the processor, a height of the tree based on the species of the tree and the diameter of the crown of the tree;
• calculating, by the processor, a risk value for the tree based on a risk of contact between the power line and the tree;
• and
• issuing, by the processor, a work order to maintain the tree to prevent contact with the power line based on the risk value.