Automated feature extraction for 3-dimensional point clouds

Lori A. Magruder; Holly W. Leigh; Alexander Soderlund; Bradley Clymer; Jessica Baer; Amy L. Neuenschwander

doi:10.1117/12.2223845

13 May 2016 Automated feature extraction for 3-dimensional point clouds

Lori A. Magruder, Holly W. Leigh, Alexander Soderlund, Bradley Clymer, Jessica Baer, Amy L. Neuenschwander

Proceedings Volume 9832, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XXI; 98320F (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2223845
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2016, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology offers the capability to rapidly capture high-resolution, 3-dimensional surface data with centimeter-level accuracy for a large variety of applications. Due to the foliage-penetrating properties of LIDAR systems, these geospatial data sets can detect ground surfaces beneath trees, enabling the production of highfidelity bare earth elevation models. Precise characterization of the ground surface allows for identification of terrain and non-terrain points within the point cloud, and facilitates further discernment between natural and man-made objects based solely on structural aspects and relative neighboring parameterizations. A framework is presented here for automated extraction of natural and man-made features that does not rely on coincident ortho-imagery or point RGB attributes. The TEXAS (Terrain EXtraction And Segmentation) algorithm is used first to generate a bare earth surface from a lidar survey, which is then used to classify points as terrain or non-terrain. Further classifications are assigned at the point level by leveraging local spatial information. Similarly classed points are then clustered together into regions to identify individual features. Descriptions of the spatial attributes of each region are generated, resulting in the identification of individual tree locations, forest extents, building footprints, and 3-dimensional building shapes, among others. Results of the fully-automated feature extraction algorithm are then compared to ground truth to assess completeness and accuracy of the methodology.

Citation Download Citation

Lori A. Magruder, Holly W. Leigh, Alexander Soderlund, Bradley Clymer, Jessica Baer, and Amy L. Neuenschwander "Automated feature extraction for 3-dimensional point clouds", Proc. SPIE 9832, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XXI, 98320F (13 May 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2223845

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available