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journal article Mar 16, 2017

3‐D uncertainty‐based topographic change detection with structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry: precision maps for ground control and directly georeferenced surveys

Stuart Robson Mark W. Smith ORCID
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms Vol. 42 No. 12 pp. 1769-1788 · Wiley
View at Publisher Save 10.1002/esp.4125
Abstract
AbstractStructure‐from‐motion (SfM) photogrammetry is revolutionising the collection of detailed topographic data, but insight into geomorphological processes is currently restricted by our limited understanding of SfM survey uncertainties. Here, we present an approach that, for the first time, specifically accounts for the spatially variable precision inherent to photo‐based surveys, and enables confidence‐bounded quantification of 3D topographic change. The method uses novel 3D precision maps that describe the 3D photogrammetric and georeferencing uncertainty, and determines change through an adapted state‐of‐the‐art fully 3D point‐cloud comparison (M3C2), which is particularly valuable for complex topography. We introduce this method by: (1) using simulated UAV surveys, processed in photogrammetric software, to illustrate the spatial variability of precision and the relative influences of photogrammetric (e.g. image network geometry, tie point quality) and georeferencing (e.g. control measurement) considerations; (2) we then present a new Monte Carlo procedure for deriving this information using standard SfM software and integrate it into confidence‐bounded change detection; before (3) demonstrating geomorphological application in which we use benchmark TLS data for validation and then estimate sediment budgets through differencing annual SfM surveys of an eroding badland. We show how 3D precision maps enable more probable erosion patterns to be identified than existing analyses, and how a similar overall survey precision could have been achieved with direct survey georeferencing for camera position data with precision half as good as the GCPs'. Where precision is limited by weak georeferencing (e.g. camera positions with multi‐metre precision, such as from a consumer UAV), then overall survey precision can scale as n‐½ of the control precision (n = number of images). Our method also provides variance–covariance information for all parameters. Thus, we now open the door for SfM practitioners to use the comprehensive analyses that have underpinned rigorous photogrammetric approaches over the last half‐century. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Cited By
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On the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems for Environmental Monitoring

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Metrics
386
Citations
61
References
Details
Published
Mar 16, 2017
Vol/Issue
42(12)
Pages
1769-1788
License
View
Authors
S
Stuart Robson

Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering University College London UK

M
Mark W. Smith

School of Geography University of Leeds UK

Funding
British Society for Geomorphology
Cite This Article
Stuart Robson, Mark W. Smith (2017). 3‐D uncertainty‐based topographic change detection with structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry: precision maps for ground control and directly georeferenced surveys. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 42(12), 1769-1788. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4125
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