In July and August of 2019, a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) project was undertaken in Canada’s western Arctic along the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk (ITH) and Dempster highways. The objective of this project was to test long-range RPAS missions for photogrammetric data acquisition and processing of these two Arctic highway corridors with embankments, bridges and culverts at risk of changing environmental and climatic regimes. The imagery was used to derive an orthomosaic and digital elevation model that could be used to measure road infrastructure and landscape change over time (e.g., fish habitat). The RPAS missions were conducted with a Griffon SeaHunter and full-frame DSLR sensor and scoped to obtain <10 cm spatial resolution imagery along a combined 396 linear km. The final deliverables covered over 22,000 ha and 29,000 ha for the ITH and Dempster Highways, respectively, and represent one of the first non-military beyond-visual-line-of-sight RPAS data products of its kind and scale in Canada, and likely elsewhere. At the time of collection the data constituted the most current and detailed photo surveys of two of Canada’s most northern highways constructed over ice-rich permafrost terrain, and will provide a valuable baseline to study past and future landscape change.

In July and August of 2019, a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) project was undertaken in Canada’s western Arctic along the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk (ITH) and Dempster highways. The objective of this project was to test long-range RPAS missions for photogrammetric data acquisition and processing of these two Arctic highway corridors with embankments, bridges and culverts at risk of changing environmental and climatic regimes. The imagery was used to derive an orthomosaic and digital elevation model that could be used to measure road infrastructure and landscape change over time (e.g., fish habitat). The RPAS missions were conducted with a Griffon SeaHunter and full-frame DSLR sensor and scoped to obtain <10 cm spatial resolution imagery along a combined 396 linear km. The final deliverables covered over 22,000 ha and 29,000 ha for the ITH and Dempster Highways, respectively, and represent one of the first non-military beyond-visual-line-of-sight RPAS data products of its kind and scale in Canada, and likely elsewhere. At the time of collection the data constituted the most current and detailed photo surveys of two of Canada’s most northern highways constructed over ice-rich permafrost terrain, and will provide a valuable baseline to study past and future landscape change.

This data shows anthropogenic polyline disturbance features. Features were digitized using high resolution satellite imagery and orthophotos. Features from the National Road Network (NRN) and the National Railway Network (NRWN) were adapted and included. The following data was not included in the dataset: proposed features. Table 1. A list of attributes, associated domains, and descriptions. Attribute Data Type Domains Description REF_ID Text (20) Unique feature reference ID DATABASE Text (20) Historic, Most Recent, Retired Sub-database to which the feature belongs TYPE_INDUSTRY Text (50) Table 2.3.2 Major classification of disturbance feature by industry TYPE_DISTURBANCE Text (50) Table 2.3.2 Sub classification of disturbance feature WIDTH_M* Double Width of feature in meters WIDTH_CLASS** Text (5) HIGH, MED, LOW Width of feature by classification SCALE_CAPTURED Long Scale at which the feature was digitized DATA_SOURCE Text (10) Imagery, GPS, Other Data source: digitized from imagery, captured by GPS, or obtained by other means IMAGE_NAME Text (100) Filename of source imagery IMAGE_DATE Date Date that imagery was captured (YYYYMMDD) IMAGE_RESOLUTION Double Resolution of source imagery in meters IMAGE_SENSOR Text (35) Name of sensor that captured source imagery *WIDTH_M: Linear features must be attributed with a width measurement. The width of the feature can be estimated in meters, rounded to the nearest whole number. **WIDTH_CLASS: This field employs a classification scheme used by previous contractors. This classification scheme was discussed and agreed upon by Mammoth Mapping and the Project Manager in 2011-2013. The width values are the following. Table 2. Width classification breakdown. WIDTH_CLASS Anticipated Value Range (meters) LOW <4 MED 4-8 HIGH >8 Table 3. A list of disturbance feature types and their descriptions. TYPE_INDUSTRY TYPE_DISTURBANCE DESCRIPTION Mining Survey / Cutline A linear cleared area through undeveloped land, used for line-of-sight surveying; impossible to distinguish whether associated with quartz or placer mining (overlapping or unclear claims information) Survey / Cutline - Placer A linear cleared area through undeveloped land, used for line-of-sight surveying; associated with placer mining (identified using claims information and/or other indicators) Survey / Cutline - Quartz A linear cleared area through undeveloped land, used for line-of-sight surveying; associated with quartz mining (identified using claims information and/or other indicators) Trench A long, narrow excavation dug to expose vein or ore structure Unknown Unknown linear mining disturbance Oil and Gas Pipeline Visible pipeline or pipeline Right-of-Way (above- or below-ground) Seismic Line Seismic lines Rural Driveway A driveway in a rural area Fence A fence in a rural area Transportation Access Assumed A linear feature that is assumed to be an access road, but could also be a trail Access Road A road or narrow passage whose primary function is to provide access for resource extraction (i.e. mining, forestry) and may also have served in providing public access to the backcountry. Arterial Road A major thoroughfare with medium to large traffic capacity Local Road A low-speed thoroughfare, provides access to front of properties, including those with potential public restrictions such as trailer parks, First Nations land, private estate, seasonal residences, gravel pits (NRN definition for Local Street/Local Strata/Local Unknown). Shows signs of regular use. Right of Way For Road Rights as attributed in the land parcels ancillary data Trail Path or track (typically <1.5 m wide) used for walking, cycling, ORV, or other backcountry activities. (Note: trails used for mining activities are Access Roads.) Unpaved Road Dirt or gravel road (typically >1.5 m wide) that does not necessarily access remote resources Unknown Right of Way A right of way with unknown industry type Survey / Cutline A linear cleared area through undeveloped land, used for line-of-sight surveying. A cutline may not always be associated with mineral exploration, therefore, Type: Unknown was used to differentiate all cutlines that were outside of mineral exploration. Unknown Unclassified, or unable to identify type based on imagery, but suspected to be anthropogenic Utility Electric Utility Corridor Corridor usually running parallel to highway, where transmission lines or other utilities are visible Unknown Unknown linear feature assumed to be a utility corridor; ancillary data is unclear. Distributed from GeoYukon by the Government of Yukon . Discover more digital map data and interactive maps from Yukon's digital map data collection. For more information: geomatics.help@yukon.ca

This data shows the spatial extent of surface disturbance mapping projects completed by GIS contractors on behalf of Environment Yukon. Within these polygons, features were digitized using high resolution satellite imagery and orthophotos; outside these polygons, disturbance mapping is either incomplete or non-existent. Distributed from GeoYukon by the Government of Yukon . Discover more digital map data and interactive maps from Yukon's digital map data collection. For more information: geomatics.help@yukon.ca