Milkweed Presence Detection from High-Resolution Mobile Roadway Photography and LiDAR

This project builds on previous Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) studies to identify and map milkweed along highway rights-of-way using existing roadway photography and LiDAR data. The effort will produce a geographic information system (GIS)-based inventory that documents route, milepost, area, and density information for each identified milkweed cluster, supporting ITD’s initiatives to prioritize and preserve high-quality Monarch and pollinator habitat. Key objectives include detecting milkweed using LiDAR and photo imagery, mapping occurrences by route and milepost, estimating cluster size and plant density, and analyzing correlations between milkweed area and density.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Programmed
• Funding: $73,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Rp 335

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Idaho Transportation Department

  11331 W Chinden Blvd
  Boise, ID  United States  83714
• Project Managers:

  Ford, Cathy

• Start Date: 20270101
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Detection and identification systems; Geographic information systems; Laser radar; Photographs; Right of way (Land); Roadside flora
• Geographic Terms: Idaho
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Environment; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01966076
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Idaho Transportation Department
• Contract Numbers: Rp 335
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 17 2025 4:30PM