Low-Cost Automatic Slope Monitoring Using Vector Tracking Analyses on Live-Streamed Time-Lapse Imagery

Identifying precursor events that allow the timely forecasting of landslides, thereby enabling risk reduction, is inherently difficult. Here we present a novel, low cost, flow visualization technique using time-lapsed imagery (TLI) allows real time analysis slope movement. This approach applied to Rest and Be Thankful slope, Argyle, Scotland, where past debris flows have blocked A83 or forced preemptive closure. TLI are taken from fixed station, 28 mm lens, lapse camera every 15 min. Imagery filtered counter effects misalignment wind induced vibration camera, asymmetric lighting, fog. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) algorithms then run produce movement velocity vectors. PIV generated vectors automatically post-processed separate by false positives harsh environmental conditions. Results for images over 20-day period indicated initiated rainfall event, quiescence 10 days, followed large landslide failure during proceeding 3000 tons sediment reached road. suggest live streamed this novel correctly detect and, importantly, report movement, allowing early warning, effective management impact mitigation. Future applications will development an decision-making tool asset A83, reducing life motorists. The can also be other critical infrastructure sites, hazard reduction.