Generation of digital terrain model for forest areas using a new particle swarm optimization on LiDAR data

Abstract

Since Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data are capable of distinguishing vegetation from bare earth, these data are used nowadays to produce digital terrain models (DTMs) for forest regions. In this research, raw LiDAR data were filtered using hybrid and slope-based filtering methods and the filtered data were then interpolated using the new modified particle swarm optimisation (PSO) and accordingly the results were compared with those achieved by the other intelligent and conventional interpolation methods. The new modified PSO optimized the polynomial degree for interpolation and found suitable parameters for optimisation. Two data sets from two forest regions in some northern regions of Iran located in Golestan province were selected to compare these methods. Region 1 with dense vegetation and region 2 with grass vegetation. The results indicated that the hybrid filter performed lower RMSE than the slope-based filter. Finally, the DTM with lowest RMSE was obtained using the hybrid filter and the modified PSO interpolation method with RMSE of 6 mm for region 1 (Tavar-kuh) and 61 mm for region 2 (Shastkola River Basin).

Keywords:

• Digital terrain model
• filtering
• interpolation methods
• modified PSO
• LiDAR data
• forest area