Published

2023-08-16

Vertical accuracy evaluation free access digital elevation models (DEMs): case Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan

Evaluación de precisión vertical de los Modelos Digitales de Elevación de acceso abierto: caso del Valle de Fergana, en Uzbekistán

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15446/esrj.v27n2.103801

Keywords:

digital elevation model; vertical accuracy; SRTM; ASTER GDEM2; ALOS AWD3D30; GPS; geoid height anomalies (en)
Modelos Digitales de Elevación de acceso abierto; precisión vertical; SRTM; ASTER GDEM2; ALOS AWD3D30; GPS; ondulaciones geoidales; (es)

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Authors

  • Dilbarkhon Fazilova National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Department of geodesy and geoinformatics, 1000174, 4, University str., Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
  • Obidjon Arabov National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Department of geodesy and geoinformatics, 1000174, 4, University str., Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan

In this study, the vertical accuracy of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model Version 2.0 (SRTM30), the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Global DEM Version 2.0 (ASTER GDEM2), and Advanced Land Observing Satellite World 3D Digital Surface Model Version 2.1 (ALOS AW3D30) was statistically assessed using GPS data. The Fergana Valley area was chosen as a study region, where the land surface can reflect tectonic processes. The values of ellipsoidal heights of 27 points of the regional GPS network were chosen as reference data. The geometric approach using GPS/leveling data and EGM96 global geopotential model-based geoid undulations was applied for geoid surface fitting. The geoid height corrections range ranged from –0.66 m to 0.87 m. Root-Mean-Square errors of ~10.0 m, ~16.4 m, and ~6.6 m was obtained for SRTM30, ASTER GDEM2, and ALOS AW3D30, respectively. It was found that compared with the reference model, all the global DEMs in mountainous areas generally overestimated elevation and the value of vertical accuracy at a 90% confidence level by 3-6 meters exceeded the declared by distributors. But ALOS AW3D30 proved to be the most accurate DEM that best represents the topography of the earth’s surface and could be used for some engineering applications in Fergana Valley.

En este estudio se evaluó estadísticamente la precisión vertical de los modelos digitales de elevación de la Misión Topográfica Shuttle Radar 2.0 (SRTM30), del sistema radiométrico de emisión y reflexión térmica espacial Terra Advanced 2.0 (ASTER GDEM2), y del Satélite de Observación Terrestre  Mundial 3D 2.1 (ALOS AW3D30). El Valle de Fergana, en Asia Central, fue elegido como la región de estudio porque la superficie terrestre puede reflejar los procesos tectónicos. Para este trabajo se determinaron los valores de alturas elipsoidales de 27 puntos de la red regional GPS como valores de referencia. Para el ajuste geoidal de la superficie de estudio se aplicó la aproximación geométrica con los datos de nivelación GPS y el modelo geopotencial global EGM96, basado en ondulaciones geoidales. El rango de corrección de la altura geoidal se establece entre -0.66 m y 0.87 m. Con los modelos SRTM30, ASTER GDEM2 y ALOS AW3D30 se obtuvieron los errores de raíz cuadrada media de ~10.0 m, ~16.4 m, and ~6.6 m, respectivamente. Al compararse con el modelo de referencia se encontró que todos los modelos digitales de elevación en las áreas montañosas por lo general sobreestimaban la elevación y el valor de precisión vertical de un 90 % de exactitud excedía entre 3 y 6 metros el margen declarado por los distribuidores. Sin embargo, el modelo ALOS AW3D30 fue el modelo digital de elevación más preciso y que mejor representa la topografía de la superficie terrestre y que, por lo tanto, podría ser usado para algunas aplicaciones ingenieriles en el Valle de Fergana.

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Fazilova, D. and Arabov, O. (2023). Vertical accuracy evaluation free access digital elevation models (DEMs): case Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan . Earth Sciences Research Journal, 27(2), 85–91. https://doi.org/10.15446/esrj.v27n2.103801

ACM

[1]
Fazilova, D. and Arabov, O. 2023. Vertical accuracy evaluation free access digital elevation models (DEMs): case Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan . Earth Sciences Research Journal. 27, 2 (Aug. 2023), 85–91. DOI:https://doi.org/10.15446/esrj.v27n2.103801.

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Fazilova, D.; Arabov, O. Vertical accuracy evaluation free access digital elevation models (DEMs): case Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan . Earth sci. res. j. 2023, 27, 85-91.

ABNT

FAZILOVA, D.; ARABOV, O. Vertical accuracy evaluation free access digital elevation models (DEMs): case Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan . Earth Sciences Research Journal, [S. l.], v. 27, n. 2, p. 85–91, 2023. DOI: 10.15446/esrj.v27n2.103801. Disponível em: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/esrj/article/view/103801. Acesso em: 28 mar. 2025.

Chicago

Fazilova, Dilbarkhon, and Obidjon Arabov. 2023. “Vertical accuracy evaluation free access digital elevation models (DEMs): case Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan ”. Earth Sciences Research Journal 27 (2):85-91. https://doi.org/10.15446/esrj.v27n2.103801.

Harvard

Fazilova, D. and Arabov, O. (2023) “Vertical accuracy evaluation free access digital elevation models (DEMs): case Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan ”, Earth Sciences Research Journal, 27(2), pp. 85–91. doi: 10.15446/esrj.v27n2.103801.

IEEE

[1]
D. Fazilova and O. Arabov, “Vertical accuracy evaluation free access digital elevation models (DEMs): case Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan ”, Earth sci. res. j., vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 85–91, Aug. 2023.

MLA

Fazilova, D., and O. Arabov. “Vertical accuracy evaluation free access digital elevation models (DEMs): case Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan ”. Earth Sciences Research Journal, vol. 27, no. 2, Aug. 2023, pp. 85-91, doi:10.15446/esrj.v27n2.103801.

Turabian

Fazilova, Dilbarkhon, and Obidjon Arabov. “Vertical accuracy evaluation free access digital elevation models (DEMs): case Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan ”. Earth Sciences Research Journal 27, no. 2 (August 16, 2023): 85–91. Accessed March 28, 2025. https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/esrj/article/view/103801.

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Fazilova D, Arabov O. Vertical accuracy evaluation free access digital elevation models (DEMs): case Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan . Earth sci. res. j. [Internet]. 2023 Aug. 16 [cited 2025 Mar. 28];27(2):85-91. Available from: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/esrj/article/view/103801

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