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K-Means Clustering of 51 Geospatial Layers Identified for Use in Continental-Scale Modeling of Outdoor Acoustic Environments

Authors :
Katrina Pedersen
Ryan R. Jensen
Lucas K. Hall
Mitchell C. Cutler
Mark K. Transtrum
Kent L. Gee
Shane V. Lympany
Source :
Applied Sciences, Vol 13, Iss 14, p 8123 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Applying machine learning methods to geographic data provides insights into spatial patterns in the data as well as assists in interpreting and describing environments. This paper investigates the results of k-means clustering applied to 51 geospatial layers, selected and scaled for a model of outdoor acoustic environments, in the continental United States. Silhouette and elbow analyses were performed to identify an appropriate number of clusters (eight). Cluster maps are shown and the clusters are described, using correlations between the geospatial layers and clusters to identify distinguishing characteristics for each cluster. A subclustering analysis is presented in which each of the original eight clusters is further divided into two clusters. Because the clustering analysis used geospatial layers relevant to modeling outdoor acoustics, the geospatially distinct environments corresponding to the clusters may aid in characterizing acoustically distinct environments. Therefore, the clustering analysis can guide data collection for the problem of modeling outdoor acoustic environments by identifying poorly sampled regions of the feature space (i.e., clusters which are not well-represented in the training data).

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20763417
Volume :
13
Issue :
14
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Applied Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.fdab04343939451ab0b028653bd0ac39
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/app13148123