Exam 17: Least Cost Path and Network Analysis

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A "cost raster" is a type of spatial data that represents the cost of moving through different locations on a map. This can be used in various applications such as transportation planning, site selection, and environmental modeling.

To put together a cost raster, different factors are taken into account to determine the cost of moving through each location. For example, let's consider the construction of a cost raster for a transportation planning project.

First, we would consider the distance from a location to a transportation network, such as roads or railways. Locations closer to the network would have a lower cost, while those farther away would have a higher cost.

Next, we would consider the terrain of the area. Locations with steep slopes or rough terrain would have a higher cost, as it would be more difficult and time-consuming to travel through these areas.

Additionally, we might consider other factors such as land use, population density, and environmental sensitivity. For example, areas with high population density might have a higher cost due to congestion, while environmentally sensitive areas might have a higher cost due to the need to minimize impact.

By combining these factors, a cost raster can be created that represents the overall cost of moving through each location on the map. This can then be used to make informed decisions in transportation planning, such as identifying optimal routes or locating new infrastructure.

Correct Answer:

Answered by Examlex AI Copilot

Surface distance differs from regular (planimetric) cost distance in that it takes into account the actual terrain and topography of the area, rather than just measuring the straight-line distance between two points on a map. Regular cost distance, also known as planimetric distance, only considers the horizontal distance between two points, while surface distance factors in the vertical distance as well. This means that surface distance accounts for any hills, valleys, or other obstacles that may affect travel between the two points, providing a more accurate measure of the actual distance that would need to be traveled. In contrast, regular cost distance does not consider the elevation changes and provides a more simplistic measure of distance.