The process of modelling the elevation surface of a coastal area using the fusion of spatial data from different sensors

Abstract

Information regarding the depth distribution in a specific aquatic area is not also crucial for the safety of navigation, but also for modelling environmental processes, such as the quick establishment of marine-land boundaries or assessments of flood risk areas. Using elevation data from different available sources can be very convenient for individuals who wish to conduct quick analysis or need to obtain data covering a large area without the need for data collection and surveys. This study proposes a method of combining spatial data from different sources during surface modelling of a coastal area. The spatial data used for elevation surface modelling included hydrographic and topographic data, which are often collected separately for various purposes. Data are saved in different formats with various resolutions and accuracies; thus, a uniform surface model that will allow for easy and accurate analysis is currently lacking. The main aim of this study was to create a model of the surface of a coastal area using input data from various sources with the highest possible accuracy. This paper presents the available spatial data sources for coastal areas, along with the data pre-processing process. Furthermore, spatial data fusion is introduced, along with the results. The entire process of creating the uniform surface model consisted of several steps that are described in detail and visualised. The obtained model was visualised using a three-dimensional map.

Keywords

• Digital elevation model
• Seabed bottom model
• Bathymetry
• LiDAR data
• GEBCO
• ETOPO