To help the patrol pro le trail networks used by illegal immigrants and drug traf ckers, San Diego State University (SDSU) used ERDAS IMAGINE to develop algorithms to speci cally analyze the spectral characteristics of the bands within the infrared photos. SDSU researchers conducted
the project through a NASA Af liated Research Center (ARC),
Greg Pendleton, Leica Geosystems, GPS, is collecting a ground control point. US Border Patrol Agent Daniel Isenberg is assisting.
in conjunction with Blackhawk Helicopters of El Cajon, California. The project focused on the use of very high-resolution digital multispectral imagery captured from low- ying helicopters to monitor changes in foot trails and vegetation. ERDAS IMAGINE was used to discern healthy vegetation from stressed vegetation resulting from foot traf c and other human impacts, and reveal changes in paths. The information gathered helps the patrol understand the temporal component of border activity.
ConTinUing EfforTS
New imagery will continue to be acquired and used to evaluate changes within the trail system. ERDAS IMAGINE software has given the U.S. Border Patrol full capabilities for processing raster data and the ability to build a new model for signature feature extraction. IMAGINE VirtualGIS® is being used for modeling and visualization of the trail systems.
Another application of the Border Patrol’s GIS technology is the impedance grid project. By integrating slope, aspect, vegetation, and terrain data with the sensor-captured data, agents will be able to precisely locate interdiction points. Once an illegal crossing is detected, an agent could pinpoint on-screen where the people will be next and when they are likely to get there, in a matter of minutes.
For more information on the U.S. Border Patrol’s efforts to track and prevent illegal border crossings with the use of geographic imaging, and drug smugglers visit: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.
Greg Pendleton, US Border Patrol Agent Daniel Isenberg and Jane Madsen of the California Air National Guard are shown determining control points remotely. The California Air National Guard ew the 13 miles of the US/Mexico border and collected the images using a lm-based camera out of an F4 Phantom jet (Vietnam era recon).