Shaded Route Planning Using Active Segmentation and Identification of Satellite Images

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel route planning system that uses satellite image segmentation to identify shaded areas, helping pedestrians and cyclists choose routes that minimize heat exposure and improve outdoor comfort.

Contribution

It introduces a new pipeline combining segmentation models and multi-layered road maps for shade-aware route planning, tailored for health and comfort during outdoor activities.

Findings

Successfully extracted shaded areas from satellite images.

Implemented an online route planning system with shade consideration.

Demonstrated application for Olympic Games travelers.

Abstract

Heatwaves pose significant health risks, particularly due to prolonged exposure to high summer temperatures. Vulnerable groups, especially pedestrians and cyclists on sun-exposed sidewalks, motivate the development of a route planning method that incorporates somatosensory temperature effects through shade ratio consideration. This paper is the first to introduce a pipeline that utilizes segmentation foundation models to extract shaded areas from high-resolution satellite images. These areas are then integrated into a multi-layered road map, enabling users to customize routes based on a balance between distance and shade exposure, thereby enhancing comfort and health during outdoor activities. Specifically, we construct a graph-based representation of the road map, where links indicate connectivity and are updated with shade ratio data for dynamic route planning. This system is already implemented online, with a video demonstration, and will be specifically adapted to assist travelers during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.