Height Estimation Methods for Filling Gaps in Gridded DTM
Publication: Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 126, Issue 4
Abstract
Digital terrain models (DTMs) describing the relief of the terrain constitute a central component of mapping and geographic information systems, in general, and photogrammetric mapping, in particular. In practice, the limitations of photogrammetric measurement methods for collecting the relief information cause discontinuities and gaps in the database. The possibility of automatically completing and correcting the missing information by calculation, without requiring additional measuring, offers an inexpensive, rapid, and attractive alternative. This paper presents an analysis based on practical experiments of the capabilities and limitations of various methods of filling the gaps in gridded relief databases. Also presented are effects of different relief types and grids of varying densities on the accuracy obtained in automatically filling the gaps in gridded DTM databases. The recommended estimation method is based on a weighted average of 1D third-order polynomials assembled around the required point in two prime directions. The proposed method is much faster than other common methods such as 2D polynomials, kriging, etc., yet it is just as accurate. This method can therefore be employed in the course of using various applications, in real time, with no need for editing and preliminary changes of the relief data in the database.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Berkowitz, B., and Ben-Zvi, M. ( 1991). “An algorithm and pascal program for geostatistical mapping.” Comp. & Geosci., 17(4), 489–503.
2.
Bolstad, P. V., and Stowe, T. ( 1994). “An evaluation of DEM accuracy: Elevation, slope, and aspect.” Photogrammetric Engrg. & Remote Sensing, 60(11), 1327–1332.
3.
Chen, Z., and Guevara, A. J. ( 1987). “Systematic selection of very important points (VIP) from digital terrain model for constructing triangular irregular networks.” Proc., AutoCarto 8, ASPRS/ACSM, 50–56.
4.
Cressie, N. A. ( 1993). Statistics for spatial data, Wiley, New York.
5.
Doytsher, Y. ( 1979). “Automation procedures in mapping.” DSc research thesis, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
6.
Eklundh, L., and Martensson, U. ( 1995). “Rapid generation of digital elevation models from topographic maps.” Int. J. Geographical Information Sys., 9(3), 329–340.
7.
Felicisimo, A. M. ( 1994). “Parametric statistical method for error detection in digital elevation models.” ISPRS J. Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 49(4), 29–33.
8.
Gold, C. M. ( 1989). “Surface interpolation, spatial adjacency and GIS.” Three dimensional applications in geographical information systems, Taylor and Francis, London, 21–35.
9.
Li, Z. ( 1994). “A comparative study of the accuracy of digital terrain models (DTMs) based on various data models.” ISPRS J. Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 49(1), 2–11.
10.
Oliver, M. A., and Webster, R. ( 1990). “Kriging: A method of interpolation for geographical information systems.” Int. J. Geographical Information Sys., 4(3), 313–332.
11.
Peled, A., and Raizman, Y. ( 1997). “Toward automatic updating of the Israeli national GIS.” Proc., Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Surface Reconstr. and 3-D Object Extraction Symp., ISPRS/Commission 4/Working Group 3, 114–119.
12.
Polidori, L., and Chorowicz, J. ( 1993). “Comparison of bilinear and Brownian interpolation for digital elevation models.” ISPRS J. Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 148(2), 18–23.
13.
Wolf, G. W. ( 1991). “Characterization of functions representing topographic surfaces.” Proc., AutoCarto 10, ACSM/ASPRS, 186–204.
14.
Yoeli, P. ( 1984a). “Computer assisted determination of the valley and ridge lines of digital terrain models.” Int. Yearbook of Cartography, 197–206.
15.
Yoeli, P. ( 1984b). “Cartographic contouring with computer and plotter.” The Am. Cartographer, 11(2), 139–155.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 126 • Issue 4 • November 2000
Pages: 145 - 162
History
Received: Mar 29, 1999
Published online: Nov 1, 2000
Published in print: Nov 2000
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.