Comparison of Digital Elevation Models by Visibility Analysis in Landscape

Abstract

The paper investigates suitability of digital surface model for visibility analysis in GIS. In experiment there were analysed viewsheds from 14 observer points calculated on digital surface model, digital terrain model and its comparison to field survey. Data sources for the investigated models were LiDAR digital terrain model and LiDAR digital surface model with vegetation distributed by the Czech Administration for Land Surveying and Cadastre. The overlay method was used for comparing accuracy of models and the reference model was LiDAR digital surface model. Average equalities in comparison with LiDAR digital terrain model, ZABAGED model and field survey were 15.5 %, 17.3% and 20.9%, respectively.