Assessing Digital Elevation Model Uncertainty Using GPS Survey Data
Publication: Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 3
Abstract
The use of terrain and elevation data is critical for a number of applications in science and engineering. Typically, the quality of digital elevation models (DEMs) is assessed using external and independent point data sources to arrive at an overall RMS value for the errors. The utility of such a single-valued overall assessment depends on the spatial extent of the area under consideration and the terrain variability (both over time and space), as well as the application requirements. This paper aimed to understand the suite of parameters that are important to consider in deriving a DEM error budget. Specifically, terrain slope, land-cover type, information loss, and data measurement schemes were investigated. A region in western Canada spanning the Rocky Mountains was used to numerically quantify errors using two Global Positioning System (GPS) datasets: precise point positioning (PPP) profiles and GPS on benchmarks. Three digital elevation models [Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Global Digital Elevation Model Version 2 (GDEM2), Shuttle Radar Topography Mission 1 Arc-Second Digital Elevation Model Version 3 (SRTM1v3), and Canadian Digital Elevation Model (CDEM)] were assessed. Results highlight the importance of selecting ground-control points based on the region’s characteristics (e.g., slope, tree cover). This leads to more representative RMS values that improve DEM uncertainty estimations. Finally, a mathematical method [projection onto convex sets (POCS)] for filling data gaps in the GPS data profiles was implemented, and results demonstrate the utility of this approach over conventional interpolation schemes.
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Published In
Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 3 • August 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 30, 2015
Accepted: Oct 27, 2015
Published online: Jan 22, 2016
Discussion open until: Jun 22, 2016
Published in print: Aug 1, 2016
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