Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for generating synthetic bathymetry using one or more fractal techniques. In some embodiments, real terrain data generated from sensor-based measurement of terrain associated with but outside a water body are received. This data may include, for example, real terrain data generated from sensor-based measurement (e.g., LiDAR) of at least a portion of an area proximate the water body. One or more fractal dimensions is/are extracted from the real terrain data, and synthetic bathymetry of the water body is generated based on the one or more fractal dimensions using one or more fractal terrain generation techniques. In some embodiments, one or more simulated geological processes is/are applied to the synthetic bathymetry. For example, a simulated sedimentation process and/or a simulated erosion process may be applied to soften the synthetic bathymetry.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for assessing road surface condition. In some embodiments, candidate locations each forecast to have a dangerous road surface condition are determined, an optimized flight path is determined comprising a sequence of sites corresponding to the candidate locations, dispatch is made to a first site within the sequence, and a road surface condition at the first site is assessed using an onboard sensor (e.g., spectroradiometer). In some embodiments, a check for new information is performed before dispatch is made to a second site. In some embodiments, the candidate locations are determined using both a model forecast and data-mined locations considered hazardous. In some embodiments, the optimized flight path is determined using TSP optimization constrained by available flight time and prioritized by frequency of historical incident and severity of forecast road surface condition.

Abstract: A system and method to augment model-to-model coupling include obtaining an output signal fs from an upstream model. The method also includes obtaining an observation signal gob from a region of interest, extracting a high-frequency signal g from the observation signal gob using a linear operator, and providing to a downstream model the high-frequency signal g in addition to information based on the output signal fs from the upstream model. The downstream model is implemented to obtain a prediction or estimation of one or more parameters of interest or drive a mechanical process.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for assessing road surface condition. In some embodiments, candidate locations each forecast to have a dangerous road surface condition are determined, an optimized flight path is determined comprising a sequence of sites corresponding to the candidate locations, dispatch is made to a first site within the sequence, and a road surface condition at the first site is assessed using an onboard sensor (e.g., spectroradiometer). In some embodiments, a check for new information is performed before dispatch is made to a second site. In some embodiments, the candidate locations are determined using both a model forecast and data-mined locations considered hazardous. In some embodiments, the optimized flight path is determined using TSP optimization constrained by available flight time and prioritized by frequency of historical incident and severity of forecast road surface condition.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for estimating a height of a cloud depicted in an image are provided. Aspects include extracting metadata from the image, the metadata including a latitude, a longitude, and heading of a camera that captured the image and a time at which the image was captured. Aspects also include creating a three-dimensional model of a landscape depicted in the image and inserting a simulated cloud into the three-dimensional model. Aspects further include creating a simulated image of the three-dimensional model, including the simulated cloud and determining a similarity score of the cloud depicted in the image to the simulated cloud in the simulated image. Based on a determination that the similarity score exceeds a threshold value, aspects include providing a height of the simulated cloud in the three-dimensional model as the height of the cloud depicted in the image.

Abstract: A system and method to augment model-to-model coupling include obtaining an output signal fs from an upstream model. The method also includes obtaining an observation signal gob from a region of interest, extracting a high-frequency signal g from the observation signal gob using a linear operator, and providing to a downstream model the high-frequency signal g in addition to information based on the output signal fs from the upstream model. The downstream model is implemented to obtain a prediction or estimation of one or more parameters of interest or drive a mechanical process.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for estimating a height of a cloud depicted in an image are provided. Aspects include extracting metadata from the image, the metadata including a latitude, a longitude, and heading of a camera that captured the image and a time at which the image was captured. Aspects also include creating a three-dimensional model of a landscape depicted in the image and inserting a simulated cloud into the three-dimensional model. Aspects further include creating a simulated image of the three-dimensional model, including the simulated cloud and determining a similarity score of the cloud depicted in the image to the simulated cloud in the simulated image. Based on a determination that the similarity score exceeds a threshold value, aspects include providing a height of the simulated cloud in the three-dimensional model as the height of the cloud depicted in the image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and systems for forecasting hazardous road conditions. The method includes determining a plurality of sections of road to analyze and correlating the sections of roads to localized weather forecasts. The method also includes performing a road surface condition analysis for each section of road of the plurality of sections of road and based on a prediction of a hazardous road condition, generating an alert regarding the hazardous road condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for monitoring and locating the presence of fluids leaking from a containment vessel. A multiplicity of probes having conductive affinity are strategically oriented adjacent the containment vessel and periodic surveillance is made relying on conductivity of the sub-surface media within which the probes have been placed, such that disturbances in the conductivity correlate with migration of the leaking fluid. The method and apparatus may be utilized to detect migration of salinated fluids into a region where previously less salination existed. The probes can be oriented adjacent a surface and yet determine a conductivity of the sub-surface media at a plurality of different pseudo-points having varying depths. The presence, location and extent of a leak can thus be monitored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and locating the presence of fluids beyond a containment vessel. A multiplicity of plates having conductive affinity are strategically oriented adjacent the area of liquid storage and periodic surveillance relying on conductivity of the substrate within which the electrodes have been placed are made such that disturbances in the conductivity correlates with migration of fluid being contained. The method and apparatus may be utilized to detect migration of salinated fluids into a region where previously less salination existed.