Hyperspectral image enhancement using thermal bands: A methodology to remove building shadows

The information enhancement of an hyperspectral image through building shadows removal is presented. Starting from the energy conservation model and considering the development of the simulated reflectance algorithm, the study demonstrates how it is possible to exploit the wide spectrum of an hyperspectral image in urban areas allowing the visualization of image details which were shaded by urban structures. Moreover, the described methodology positively affects land classification: the accuracy detection of four land cover classes (vegetation, buildings, asphalt and bare soil) has been improved using as input to a neural network classifier simulated reflectance image instead of the original one. The experimental data consisted of an Airborne Hyperspectral Scanner (AHS) image acquired over the city of Madrid.