🤖 AI Summary
This study addresses the lack of systematic integration among existing models and algorithms for terrain visibility analysis, a core technique in landscape planning and spatial decision-making. It provides a comprehensive review of line-of-sight and cumulative viewshed computation models based on Triangulated Irregular Networks (TIN) and regular grids, systematically categorizing algorithmic approaches into exact and approximate solutions. Furthermore, this work innovatively establishes a multi-scale theoretical framework for terrain visibility and deeply integrates interdisciplinary application cases from archaeology, landscape management, and land conservation. By identifying critical technical bottlenecks and future research directions, this paper offers a systematic reference for efficient visibility computation in complex terrain scenarios.
📝 Abstract
This chapter surveys terrain visibility models, algorithms, and applications. It introduces basic definitions, from line-of-sight, single-viewpoint viewsheds to cumulative and total viewsheds, on both Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) and regular grid terrains. Reviews exact and approximate algorithms and highlights key application domains including archaeology, visual exposure to greenery, scenic route management, and land conservation.