Detection of forest roads in Sentinel-2 images using U-Net

Abstract

This paper presents a new method for semi-automatic detection of nature interventions inSentinel-2 satellite images with 10 m spatial resolution. The Norwegian Environment Agency ismaintaining a map of undisturbed nature in Norway. U-Net was used for automated detection ofnew roads, as these are often the cause whenever the area of undisturbed nature is reduced. Themethod was able to detect many new roads, but with some false positives and possibly some falsenegatives (i.e., missing new roads). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that automated detection ofnew roads, for the purpose of updating the map of undisturbed nature, is possible. We have alsosuggested several improvements of the method to improve its usefulness.