Monitoring of Transportation System Assets using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Satellite Data

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0435-6285

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5548-1292

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4626-0249

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

Winter 2024

Abstract

This research harnessed both high and medium resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to delve into infrastructure health assessment. High resolution SAR analyses capable of identifying differences between asphalt and concrete pavement surfaces. Particularly, it was found that Normalized Radar Cross Section (NRCS) values can deftly distinguish pavement types and detect surface anomalies such as alligator cracks in asphalt ahead of conventional methods. On the other hand, Time-Series Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) insights, extracted from medium resolution SAR, established a direct linkage between environmental factors and ground deformations. Such findings were corroborated by optical images collected during May 2017 to October 2017. A notable ground failure progression from December 2018 to March 2019 underscored the veracity and integrative potential of combining InSAR data, aerial imagery, and other observation techniques. After post-failure rehabilitative efforts between July 2019 and May 2020, the site exhibited marginal environmental-condition-induced movements. The research emphasizes the utility of SAR and InSAR in proactive infrastructure health monitoring and suggests their pivotal role in data-driven infrastructural decisions.

Comments

Tran-SET Project 22PTAMU43

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