Projects

Role of Urban Canopy Composition and Structure in Determining Heat Islands: A Synthesis of Remote Sensing and Landscape Ecology Approach

Principal Investigator: Qihao Weng

Other Team Members: Dengsheng Lu (Indiana University), Susan Berta, Paul Mausel (ISU), Andrew Swenson (Department of Metropolitan Development, City of Indianapolis), and Jason A. Kissel (Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Indianapolis)

Agency: National Science Foundation

Period: August 15, 2005 - July 31, 2008

    This project will synthesize optical remote sensing of urban construction materials and structure, thermal remote sensing of land surface temperatures, and landscape ecology to establish a protocol for studying the interactions among urban surface biophysical characteristics, the thermal behavior of urban landscapes and urban heat islands through use of physical modeling, statistical, and fractal analysis.

A Seasonal Analysis of Satellite Detected Urban Heat Island Phenomenon in Indianapolis

Principal Investigator: Qihao Weng

Agency: NASA Indiana Space Grant Consortium

Period: March 1, 2004 - February 28, 2005

    This project examines the role of the composition and structure of urban canopy in determining urban surface energy budgets and in explaining the thermal behavior of urban landscapes and the urban heat island phenomena in Indianapolis by using multi-seasonal Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer imagery.

Indiana Impervious Surface Mapping Initiative (INISMI)

Principal Investigator: Qihao Weng

Other Team Members: Jeffrey Shan (Purdue), Dengsheng Lu (Indiana University), Susan Berta, Robert Larson, and John Whitaker (ISU)

Agency: NASA Indiana Space Grant Consortium, and U.S. Geological Survey IndianaView Consortium

Period: March 1, 2005 - February 28, 2006

    This project intends to map impervious surface in Indiana by employing satellite imagery and monitor the changes over time and to provide state and local officials with the impervious surface data and with technical support and theoretical background to integrate imperviousness into water quality management and urban planning measures.