A sequential iterative dual-filter for Lidar terrain modeling optimized for complex forested environments

This paper introduces a sequential iterative dual-filter method for filtering Lidar point clouds acquired over rough and forested terrain and computing a digital terrain model (DTM). The method belongs to the family of virtual deforestation algorithms that iteratively detect and filter objects above-the ground surface. The method uses both points and raster models to do so. The algorithm performance was first tested over a complex badlands environment and compared to a reference model obtained using a traditional TIN-Iterative approach. It was further tested on a benchmark site of the ISPRS (site 5) representing mainly forests and slopes. Over badlands, the resulting DTM elevation RMSE was 0.14m over flat areas, and increased to 0.28m under forested and rough terrain. The later value was 12.5% lower than the one obtained with a TIN-Iterative approach. Over the ISPRS site, the TIN-Iterative model provided better results for 3 out of the 4 sample sites. But the proposed algorithm, still worked fairly well provided a total classification error of 5.52%, and is well ranked compared with other algorithms. While the TIN-iterative approach might work better with low density, the proposed one is a good alternative to process high density point cloud and compute DTMs suitable for modeling either hydrodynamic or morphological processes under forest cover at a local scale.

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