Assessment of topographic mapping using digital metric camera and digital consumer grade camera in terms of accuracy in Kampung Asam Kubang, Taiping, Perak

Abstract

Most people are still doubtful with regards to UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) photogrammetry as compared to government aerial photos obtained from the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM). Therefore, the aim of this research is to assess the use of aerial images from a Digital Metric Camera (DMC) and Digital Consumer Grade Camera in orthophoto production. The Consumer Grade Digital Camera images in RAW format were obtained using UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) from JUPEM. The Digital Metric Camera image that has been processed is also provided by JUPEM. Aerial images from the consumer grade digital camera were then processed with Pix4D software together with the GCP (Ground Control Point) used for georeferencing. Next, the images were aligned, point cloud densification, meshing of cloud points, build texture from mesh, DEM (Digital Elevation Model) generation and mosaicking of the images. Orthomosaic images were generated alongside the DEM (Digital Elevation Models). Likewise, VP (Verification Points) were used to measure the accuracy of all the Orthomosaic images and DEM from Consumer Grade Camera, Metric Camera and TENDEM satellite. The expected results for this research will be in RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) in positioning error with the analysis as to why this error happens. In conclusion, if the accuracy of the Consumer Grade Camera with UAV as a platform is at par with JUPEM orthophoto, it will encourage more surveyors to adopt the UAV mapping for their projects.