Remote sensing methods for power line corridor surveys

Reviews remote sensing for monitoring power line corridors, both the lines and the surrounding vegetation, across satellite radar, optical satellite and aerial imagery, thermal imagery, airborne laser scanning, mobile mapping and UAV data. Conductor extraction is the most studied task, with over 90% accuracy reported from laser scanning or aerial images, but many studies used small datasets without numerical quality analysis. UAVs are flagged as a fast-developing technique that deserves more attention.

Key findings

• Automatic conductor extraction above 90% accuracy reported from laser scanning or aerial image data
• Many studies used small datasets and lacked numerical quality analysis
• Vegetation mapping near lines less studied, mostly with optical imagery
• Recommends multi-source data fusion and large realistic tests

Limitations

• Abstract only reviewed
• UAV results not quantified in the abstract; manned airborne LiDAR dominates the evidence base