DEM Accuracy of High Resolution Satellite Images
Mustafa Yanalak, Nebiye Musaoglu, Cengizhan Ipbuker, Elif Sertel,
and Sinasi Kaya
ITU Dept. of Geomatic Eng. 34469 Maslak, Istanbul-Turkey
[email protected] Abstract. The aim of this research is to study the accuracy of Digital Elevation
Models (DEMs) generated from two different satellite data namely OrbView-3
and IKONOS stereo images. 21 GCPs (Ground Control Points), 182 CPs
(Check Points) and selected transects representing different land covers and
topography were used for the accuracy analysis. Two DEMs were generated
from OrbView-3 and one DEM from IKONOS stereo data. The accuracy of the
used model for DEM generation was quantified using the RMSE (Root Mean
Square Error) values of GCPs derived from Global Positioning System survey
and error analysis over research area was performed using 182 CPs derived
from traditional field survey. Several transects were formed over different parts
of the study area and height values along these transects obtained from different
DEMs were compared to determine and examine the accuracy. The results are
analyzed with the empirical accuracy criterion for heights on analog maps.
Keywords: DEM, Accuracy, IKONOS, OrbView-3.
1 Introduction
Three dimensional evaluation of the earth surface is important since topographical
data and its derivatives like slope and aspect can be used for variety of engineering
applications in geology, geophysics, hydrologic modeling, and ecology and geospatial
analysis [1] [2]. Traditionally, Digital Elevation Models (DEM) have been created
using field survey whereas this approach has some limitations like being time
consuming and not being appropriate for inaccessible and large areas. usage of stereo
satellite images for DEM generation is another common approach by providing fast,
reliable and accurate solutions.
First DEM generation from stereo images had started with the launch of Systeme
P’our l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) satellite series beginning in 1986 with SPOT-
1. Afterwards, different satellite sensor systems were launched with stereo imaging
capability. Several scientists have used high and medium resolution radar and stereo
optical images to create DEM with different scale and accuracy [3] , [4] , [5]. Welch
et al. [1] used ASTER stereo images and found that DEMs could be created with 15
to 25 m accuracy with a suitable distribution of GCPs. Erten et al. [6] investigated the
accuracy of DEM generated from ASTER data by comparing ASTER derived DEM
B. Murgante et al. (Eds.): ICCSA 2012, Part III, LNCS 7335, pp. 471–480, 2012.
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012
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with a DEM produced from 1/25000 scale topographic map. They found the elevation
accuracy of ± 15 m to ± 25 m.
Hirano et al. [7] evaluated the vertical accuracy of ASTER stereo images resulting
from stereocorrelation and indicated RMSEz values of ±7 ve ±15 m for their DEM.
Cuartero et al. (2005) generated 146 DEMs, 91 from SPOT High Resolution Visible
and 55 from ASTER stereo images and performed error control with 315 CPs
determined by differential global positioning systems. Their results illustrated that
RMSE values for elevations of Terra ASTER DEMs was 13 m, whereas RMSE value
for SPOT HRV DEM was 7.3 m.
In addition to optical images, radar data can also be used to create DEMs. Toutin
[8] generated DEMs using various RADARSAT stereopairs for three different
topographic study sites. He analyzed the accuracy of stereo-derived DEMs as a
function of slopes and aspects by comparing terrain slope and aspect computed from
reference DEMs.
High resolution DEMs have been generated with the launch of very high resolution
satellites. Wang et al. presented four different models to refine the rational function
derived ground coordinates. They examined different configurations of GCPs to
evaluate the impact on accuracy improvement. They found that GCP errors can be
reduced from 5–6 to 1.5 m in horizontal and from 7 to 2 m in vertical directions, if an
appropriate model and GCPs were used. Toutin [9] extracted DEMs from SPOT-5,
EROS-A, IKONOS-II, and QuickBird using a three-dimensional multisensor physical
model. He found elevation error values of 6.5, 20, 6.4, and 6.7 m for SPOT, EROS,
IKONOS, and QuickBird, respectively with 68 % confidence level. Toutin [10]
extracted Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) from SPOT-5 High Resolution Stereoscopic
(HRS, 10m resolution) in-track stereo-images and High Resolution Geometric (HRG,
5m resolution) across-track stereo-images. He found errors of 6.4m, 6.8m and 5.1m in
X, Y and Z axes, and 2.6m, 2.2m and 2.9m in X, Y and Z axes for HRS and HRG,
respectively.
Although there have been several researches on investigation of DEM accuracy of
very high resolution satellite images, there is only limited number of research about
the generation and accuracy analysis of OrbView-3 data derived DEM This research
aims to analyze accuracy of 3 different DEMs generated from OrbView-3 and
IKONOS images which two are generated from OrbView-3 and one generated from
IKONOS. RMSE of GCPs and CPs were used to check the accuracy of DEMs.
Transects were formed and height values obtained from DEMs were compared to
determine and examine the accuracy.
2 Study Area and Data Used
2.1 Study Area
The study area used in this research is located in Istanbul Metropolitan area. Istanbul
is in the northwest of Turkey and lies on the Bosporus connecting Europe to Asia
(Fig.1). It is among the most crowded cities of the World. Land surface characteristics
of the cities have been changing significantly due to rapid economic development,
industrialization and urbanization. A test area was selected within the study area to
