Compared to laser radar systems based on the conventional discrete echo approach, direct detection laser radar systems with echo signal digitization and subsequent full-waveform analysis like the RIEGL LMS-Q560 provide valuable additional information on the target’s properties. This additional information can be used in the course of the mandatory processing task of classifying the measurement ...

A filtering algorithm is proposed that accurately extracts ground data from airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) measurements and generates an estimated digital terrain model (DTM). The proposed algorithm utilizes planar surface features and connectivity with locally lowest points to improve the extraction of ground points (GPs). A slope parameter used in the proposed algorithm is updat...

We investigated the capabilities of a canopy height model (CHM) derived from aerial photographs using the Structure from Motion (SfM) approach to estimate aboveground biomass (AGB) in a tropical forest. Aerial photographs and airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data were simultaneously acquired under leaf-on canopy conditions. A 3D point cloud was generated from aerial photographs usin...

As rockfall can cause a great deal of damage, it is essential to know its spatial propagation. Rockfall models are sensitive to the resolution of input data i.e. the used digital terrain models (DTM). Nowadays, high resolution elevation data are area widely available from airborne laser scanning (ALS). ALS can even provide very accurate terrain information in forested areas. However, rockfall m...

Distinguishing vegetation characteristics in a terrestrial laser scanner dataset is an interesting issue for environmental assessment. Methods for filtering vegetation points to distinguish them from ground class have been widely studied mostly on datasets derived from airborne laser scanner, less so for terrestrial laser scanners (TLS). Recent developments in terrestrial laser sensors – furthe...

In this study, six different periods of digital terrain model (DTM) data obtained from various flight vehicles by using the techniques of aerial photogrammetry, airborne LiDAR (ALS), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were adopted to discuss the errors and applications of these techniques. Error estimation provides critical information for DTM data users. This study conducted error estimation f...

In the frame of our long term, interdisciplinary Nasca/Palpa project, conducted in a close cooperation between our group and archaeologists from the German Archaeological Institute (DAI, KAAK Bonn), our aim is to develop a GIS database well-suited for management and analysis of the archaeological and spatial data acquired during various field campaigns by the project partners. The region around...

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms are nowadays a valuable source of data for inspection, surveillance, mapping and 3D modeling issues. As UAVs can be considered as a lowcost alternative to the classical manned aerial photogrammetry, new applications in the shortand close-range domain are introduced. Rotary or fixed wing UAVs, capable of performing the photogrammetric data acquisition with...

We examine the utility of Structure from Motion (SfM) point cloud products to generate a digital terrain model (DTM) and estimate canopy heights in a woodland ecosystem in the Texas Hill Country, USA. Very high spatial resolution images were acquired with a Canon PowerShot A800 digital camera mounted on an unmanned aerial system. Image mosaicking and dense point matching were accomplished using...