Test aerial cartographic flights were made over a 70 mile stretch in Indiana for a proposed site for a motorway colour and black and white photographs were made both in the visible and the infrared light spectrum: furthermore photographs were made in 15 narrow light wave length bands ranging from the ultraviolet to the far infrared. In general, color photography proved to be better than black and white film, also because of its easier and quicker interpretation, as testified by cost analysis it gave greater precision and more soil features. Color infrared film proved to be test for the relative soil moisture conditions and drainage. For visual inspection no more than 4-6 photography could be compared, from the ultraviolet to thermal infrared bands. Results are discussed. Automatic classification of these multi spectral data by special designed computer programs (pattern recognition technique of spectral properties) indicates potential application for engineering soil classification.
Abstract