1. Accuracy Assessment of NEXTMap Elevation Data for the State of Alabama M. Lorraine Tighe PhD Candidate Director, Geospatial Solutions - Intermap November 18, 2011

2. 2 Agenda Introduction Objectives Study Area Data Analysis Results Discussion Conclusions

3. 3 Introduction This paper presents the results of the vertical accuracy of NEXTMap derived bare ground elevation data over a variety of land cover types by comparing it against National Geodetic Survey (NGS) reference points and against the United States Geological Survey National Elevation Data (NED) for the State of Alabama.

4. 4 Objectives Investigate the accuracy of the NEXTMap data for the State of Alabama against survey control reference data (1126 available NGS) and 10 m NED data. Investigate barren and obstructed land cover of all slopes.

5. 5 Study Area State of Alabama Area: 52,419 mi 2 (135,765 km 2 ) Elevation Range: sea level to 2,413 ft (735.5 m) Water Land Cover: 3.19% (1,672 km 2 ) Forest Land Cover: 67% 22 million ha (89,000 km 2 )

6. 6 Data Elevation Data: 5 m NEXTMap DTM 10 m NED DTM Reference Data: 1126 National Geodetic Survey (NGS) geodetic data points 1126 NGS control points

7. 7 © 2011 Intermap Technologies. All rights reserved. Collection – to – End Product: NEXTMap Collection Production AggregationApplicationsDistribution

8. 8 The Core Technology - IFSAR Note: STAR-3i uses GPS ground station for differential processing; no other ground control points are required. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar - IFSAR

9. 9 IFSAR Processor to Derive Height Measurements The variation in phase difference from pixel to pixel can be converted into relative change in surface elevation through a set of (closed form) equations to yield x, y, and z. A1A1 A2A2 B beams  ff h y   +  z(y)

10. 10 Digital Surface Model (DSM) DSM: Winston County, Alabama. Confluence of Right Fork Clear Creek and Clear Creek. Also showing US Highway 278.

11. 11 Digital Terrain Model (DTM) DTM: Winston County, Alabama. Confluence of Right Fork Clear Creek and Clear Creek. Also showing US Highway 278.

12. 12 Handling Obstructed and Void Areas The acquisition plan is designed to minimize the percent of void data in the output product. We have a fully integrated terrain solution (FITS) that can utilize modified DSM data or ancillary data to fill in voids and to help recalculate the terrain surface beneath vegetation canopies. e.g. Before the “Void Infill” process has been automatically run, void areas have an interpolated appearance

13. 13 Terrain Solution We use a modified version of our multiple DSM passes or ancillary data to rebuild the DTM in areas of void and obstruction. We will use available ancillary data as a last resort. e.g. After the “Void Infill” process has been automatically run, the ancillary DEM has a more natural appearance

14. 14 Analysis Visual assessments, in particular, drainage features were conducted. Statistical analysis (RMSE, mean error, standard deviation, cumulative frequency plot) is implemented with the use of the NGS geodetic data points to calculate the vertical accuracy of the NEXTMap and NED data. Data Characterizations: land cover analysis to characterize where to expect the range of vertical accuracies.

15. 15 Visual Assessment Results Intermap’s NEXTMap data for the State of Alabama is current, as a majority of the state was collected with the same sensor between 2005 and 2008. By comparison, a majority of the vintage NED that is available for the state was collected between 1960 and 1979. Portions of the NED were collected prior to 1959. Different vintages and resolutions result in different drainage delineations.

16. 16 Visual Assessment Results NEXTMap

17. 17 Statistical Results (1) Land CoverSlopeStatistic (m)NEXTMapNED Barren<10 o Mean error -0.190.13 StDev 0.511.35 RMSE 0.551.36 Vegetation<10 o Mean error -0.5-0.27 StDev 1.381.53 RMSE 1.471.56 Dense Vegetation 0 o - 29 o Mean error -0.74-0.5 StDev 2.593.66 RMSE 2.993.67

18. 18 Statistical Results (2) Cumulative percent error plot (Barren, low slopes)to help to visualize what percentage of data can be expected to meet various accuracies.

19. 19 Alabama Data Characterization A snapshot of the data characterization of the State of Alabama, with respect to the accuracy to be expected by NEXTMap data.

20. 20 Conclusions Vertical Accuracy Assessment (expressed in RMSE): 0.55 m in barren terrain 1.27 – 3 m in obstructed terrain (e.g. vegetation/urban) Hydrological analysis: NEXTMap more accurate representation of water ways (e.g. lakes, ponds, rivers, streams) than NED difference in DTM resolution: 5m NEXTMap, 10 m NED temporal differences: NEXTMap 2008; NED ~ 20 years

21. 21 Thank You QUESTIONS? More information: ltighe@intermap.com kbarrett@intermap.cpm www.intermap.com