Deconstructing viewshed analysis makes it possible to construct a useful visual impact map for wind projects

Bibliographic Data

ID21468604
AuthorsJames F Palmer (0000-0001-8656-1041, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume225
Pages104423
Publication date2022-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLandscape and Urban Planning (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0169-2046 • E-ISSN: 1872-6062
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104423
OpenAlexW4225291689
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited23

The analysis of wind project visual impact assessments (VIAs) is dominated by photosimulations at a limited number of viewpoints. While wind project VIAs typically include a cumulative viewshed map, they fail to integrate information about distance zone, visible exposure and project extent into a useful measure of visual impact. As a result, the quality of the spatial analysis of visual impacts is of limited value. This study presents an approach to assessing the visual prominence of individual wind turbines based on their distance from the viewer and the turbine’s visual exposure. These results provide useful guidance concerning which turbine locations should be permitted. Several ways to combine the impact of individual turbines into a map of visual impact are evaluated. The contrast rating of photosimulations at 17 viewpoints is used as the criterion to validate these maps. The results show significant improvement over the traditional cumulative viewshed map. The contrast ratings are also used to calibrate mapped levels of visual impact

Cartography · Geography · Turbine · Viewpoints · Viewshed analysis · Visualization · Wind power · Computer Science · Engineering · Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy · Underground infrastructure and sustainability · Wind Energy Research and Development · Artificial Intelligence

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access