Comparative accuracy assessment of global DTM and DTM generated from Soviet topographic maps for the purposes of road planning

Abstract

This article analyses the accuracy of global DTM comparatively to the Soviet topographic maps. The main aim of this study is to estimate the possibility of utilising global DTM for the purposes of road planning. In order to reach this aim, three separate territories with mountain, hill and plain topography were chosen. A DEM was generated for those territories from three different scale levels of Soviet topographic maps. The generated DEM rasters where then subtracted from SRTM and ASTER GDEM global DTMs. Results of the subtraction were analysed using statistical methods and verified with ground data. The Possibility of the replacement of DTMs generated from topographic maps by the global DTM data was proven for the different territories. The results obtained could be useful for the road engineers who still use Soviet topographic maps for the purposes of road planning. Also, some of the findings might be interesting for GIS-professionals who frequently use global DTMs.

Keywords:

• elevation
• radar
• SRTM
• ASTER GDEM
• contour line
• geographic information system
• topography
• topographic map

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Taras Hutsul

Taras HUTSUL. Born at February 8, 1990 in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. Obtained master degree in surveying and cadaster in 2011 at Chernivtsi national university. Starting from 2011 working at Chernivtsi national university as a lecturer. Beginning from 2013 is working on his PhD thesis at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. Main scientific interests: road planning and construction, surveying, terrain modeling.

Yaroslav Smirnov

Yaroslav SMIRNOV. Born at August 12, 1989 in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. Obtained master degree in surveying and cadaster in 2010 at Chernivtsi national university and at the same year started to work there at the lecturer position. In 2015 obtained PhD degree in cartography at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Main scientific interests include: GIS-analysis, cartographic design and thematic mapping.