Automated Electric Utility Pole Detection from Aerial Images

This paper presents an algorithm for the recognition of similar electrical poles from an aerial image by detecting the pole shadow. One pole is used as a template (already identified by a human operator) for the algorithm. The algorithm includes feature extraction, candidate position determination, and elimination of redundant candidates. First, features of a pole shadow are extracted using standard filters and image processing techniques. Then the extracted features are used to design convolution filters tailored to emphasize possible locations for the shadows. Subsequently, an image candidate is submitted to Radon Transformation to verify adherence to expected shadow characteristics. Simulations show that most poles are made much more noticeable by the algorithm.