An invisible height evaluation system for building height regulation to preserve good landscapes using augmented reality

Preserving good landscapes such as historical buildings, temples, shrines, churches, bridges, and natural sceneries is important. Recently, destruction of good landscapes from multiple viewpoints due to construction of high rise buildings has been reported. To regulate structures such as high rise buildings and high voltage transmission towers, the government or public agencies have established or are going to constitute height regulations for building and structures surrounding the location of interest. In order to check whether some portions of high structures are visible or not behind the locations of interest from multiple viewpoints, it is necessary to make a 3D model representing geography, existing structures and natural objects using 3D CAD or Virtual Reality (VR) software. However, it usually takes much time and cost to make such a 3D model. Thus, in this research, we propose a new method using Augmented Reality (AR). In this method, a number of 3D virtual rectangular objects with a scale are located on the grid of 3D geographical model. And then, the CG models are displayed in an overlapping manner with the actual landscape from multiple viewpoints using the AR technology. The user measures the maximum invisible height for each rectangular object at a grid point. Using the measured data, the government or public agencies can establish appropriate height regulation for all surrounding areas of the locations of interest. To verify the proposed method, we developed a system deploying ARToolKit and applied it to the Convention Center of Osaka University, deemed as a scenic building. We checked the performance of the system and evaluated the error of the obtained data. In conclusion, the proposed method was evaluated feasible and effective.