A parallel multipoint viewshed analysis method for urban 3D building scenes

Abstract

AbstractViewshed analysis is a spatial analysis method essential for three‐dimensional (3D) scenes. Existing methods are unable to rapidly and accurately analyze the visibility of complex fields formed by multiple viewpoints in 3D building scenes. In this study, a parallel multipoint viewshed analysis method for urban 3D building scenes is proposed. First, an algorithm was developed for the field‐of‐view based viewshed scope construction, enabling pickup and calculation of buildings, then a graphical processing unit based 3D scene depth calculation method was used to determine the visibility index for the complex area formed by multiple viewpoints. Results were visualized using a visibility grading method based on the cumulative visibility index. To evaluate accuracy and efficiency, we applied the algorithm to a building scene in an urban area. Results show that the method is able to compute complex viewshed situations formed by multiple viewpoints in urban 3D building scenes.