A digital cartographic tool determines the visibility between two points, considering terrain elevation. For example, telecommunications professionals might use such a tool to assess the feasibility of a wireless link between two towers by virtually simulating the line of sight and identifying potential obstructions like hills or buildings.
Such tools are crucial for planning and optimizing various applications. They assist in tasks ranging from ensuring effective radio communication to strategically positioning surveillance equipment. Historically, determining intervisibility involved complex calculations and physical surveys. The advent of digital elevation models and sophisticated algorithms now allows for rapid, accurate, and cost-effective line-of-sight analysis, leading to more efficient project execution across various fields.