scholarly journals Accuracy Assessment of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs): A Critical Review of Practices of the Past Three Decades

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 2630
Author(s):  
José L. Mesa-Mingorance ◽  
Francisco J. Ariza-López
Keyword(s):  
Accuracy Assessment ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Reference Source ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Source Data ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Assessment Standard ◽  
Elevation Model

An analysis of almost 200 references has been carried out in order to obtain knowledge about the DEM (Digital Elevation Model) accuracy assessment methods applied in the last three decades. With regard to grid DEMs, 14 aspects related to the accuracy assessment processes have been analysed (DEM data source, data model, reference source for the evaluation, extension of the evaluation, applied models, etc.). In the references analysed, except in rare cases where an accuracy assessment standard has been followed, accuracy criteria and methods are usually established according to the premises established by the authors. Visual analyses and 3D analyses are few in number. The great majority of cases assess accuracy by means of point-type control elements, with the use of linear and surface elements very rare. Most cases still consider the normal model for errors (discrepancies), but analysis based on the data itself is making headway. Sample size and clear criteria for segmentation are still open issues. Almost 21% of cases analyse the accuracy in some derived parameter(s) or output, but no standardization exists for this purpose. Thus, there has been an improvement in accuracy assessment methods, but there are still many aspects that require the attention of researchers and professional associations or standardization bodies such as a common vocabulary, standardized assessment methods, methods for meta-quality assessment, and indices with an applied quality perspective, among others.

DEM Generation and Accuracy Assessment Using ZY-3 Stereo Image Pairs

2015 ◽  
Vol 738-739 ◽  
pp. 613-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo Yin Cai ◽  
Jie Huan ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Ming Yi Du
Keyword(s):  
3D Visualization ◽  
Accuracy Assessment ◽  
Satellite Image ◽  
Stereo Image ◽  
Stereo Pair ◽  
Topographic Analysis ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Image Pairs ◽  
Elevation Model

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is an important data source for topographic analysis, 3D visualization and satellite image ortho-rectification. This paper focused on the DEM extraction and accuracy assessment from ZY-3 satellite with 3 stereo images. DEM was extracted using three different stereo pair image groups composed of forward and nadir view images, nadir and backward view images as well as forward and backward view images. The accuracy of the DEM was indicated by root-mean-square error (RMSE) values. The results showed that the stereo pair of nadir and forward view images achieved the best accuracy, while the pair of forward and backward view images obtained the worst. This might be useful for the selection of the stereo pair images for extracting DEM using ZY-3 satellite images.

scholarly journals A new 100-m Digital Elevation Model of the Antarctic Peninsula derived from ASTER Global DEM: methods and accuracy assessment

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Cook ◽  
T. Murray ◽  
A. Luckman ◽  
D. G. Vaughan ◽  
N. E. Barrand
Keyword(s):  
Digital Elevation Model ◽  
Antarctic Peninsula ◽  
Accuracy Assessment ◽  
Correction Method ◽  
Pixel Size ◽  
Aster Gdem ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Vertical Accuracy ◽  
Elevation Model ◽  
The Antarctic

Abstract. A high resolution surface topography Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is required to underpin studies of the complex glacier system on the Antarctic Peninsula. A complete DEM with better than 200 m pixel size and high positional and vertical accuracy would enable mapping of all significant glacial basins and provide a dataset for glacier morphology analyses. No currently available DEM meets these specifications. We present a new 100-m DEM of the Antarctic Peninsula (63–70° S), based on ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) data. The raw GDEM products are of high-quality on the rugged terrain and coastal-regions of the Antarctic Peninsula and have good geospatial accuracy, but they also contain large errors on ice-covered terrain and we seek to minimise these artefacts. Conventional data correction techniques do not work so we have developed a method that significantly improves the dataset, smoothing the erroneous regions and hence creating a DEM with a pixel size of 100 m that will be suitable for many glaciological applications. We evaluate the new DEM using ICESat-derived elevations, and perform horizontal and vertical accuracy assessments based on GPS positions, SPOT-5 DEMs and the Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica (LIMA) imagery. The new DEM has a mean elevation difference of −4 m (± 25 m RMSE) from ICESat (compared to −13 m mean and ±97 m RMSE for the original ASTER GDEM), and a horizontal error of less than 2 pixels, although elevation accuracies are lower on mountain peaks and steep-sided slopes. The correction method significantly reduces errors on low relief slopes and therefore the DEM can be regarded as suitable for topographical studies such as measuring the geometry and ice flow properties of glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula. The DEM is available for download from the NSIDC website: http://nsidc.org/data/nsidc-0516.html (doi:10.5060/D47P8W9D).

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