Assessing the Accuracy of Digital Surface Models Derived from Optical Imagery Acquired with Unmanned Aerial Systems

Some useful recommendations for UAS-surveys aimed at the derivation of 3D surface models can be found in our recent manuscript published on Drones MDPI.

The results highlight that optimization of both the choice and combination of flight plans can reduce the relative error of the 3D model to within two meters without the need to include GCPs. However, the use of GCPs greatly improved the quality of the topographic survey, reducing error to the order of a few centimeters. The combined use of images extracted from two flights, one with a camera mounted at nadir and the second with a 20° angle, was found to be beneficial for increasing the overall accuracy of the 3D model and especially the vertical precision. 

Author: Salvatore Manfreda

Salvatore Manfreda received his Ph.D. in Environmental Monitoring and Modeling in 2004. He started his career as researcher associate at Princeton University (2004-2005), became Assistant Professor in 2008, and Associate Professor in Hydraulic Constructions and Hydrology in 2014 at the University of Basilicata. He has a broad interest in hydrology and ecohydrology, with particular emphasis on distributed modeling, flood prediction, stochastic processes in hydrology, soil moisture process, delineation of flood prone areas, mathematical filters and vegetation patterns. His research activity has produced more than 120 publications.

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#	File	Description	Date added	Added by	File size	Downloads
1	Assessing the Accuracy of Digital Surface Models Derived from Optical Imagery Acquired with Unmanned Aerial Systems		31 January 2019 8:52	Salvatore Manfreda	3 MB	289