Planimetric positional accuracy assessment in digital surface models with the use of linear features

Currently, the concern over positional accuracy assessment in spatial data has grown, primarily in data with altimetric data information. However, several studies only assess the altimetric component, disregarding the planimetric positional accuracy. Thus, this work aims to evaluate the planimetric positional accuracy of the main MDSs available for free in Brazil, such as SRTM (band C and X), Aster GDEM version 2 and TOPODATA models. To evaluate the planimetric positional accuracy ridge lines and numerical hydrography lines were extracted as terrain characteristics. Then, in possession of these linear features, the Double Buffer method was applied to evaluate the horizontal accuracy according to the standards defined in Decree-Law n° 89,817/ET-ADGV. To compare these models an MDS obtained from ALOS/PRISM sensors, on a scale of 1:25,000, was used as a reference . The results of the planimetric positional evaluation were class C at 1:100,000 scale for the MDS SRTM-X and Aster GDEM; for the MDS TOPODATA and SRTM-C, the obtained classifications were class B and class C on a scale of 1:250,000, respectively.

Keywords:
Digital Surface Model; Positional Accuracy; Linear Features