Accuracy Assessment Toward Merging of Terrestrial Laser Scanner Point Data and Unmanned Aerial System Point Data

Abstract

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) techniques are widely preferred for 3D models of small and large objects, buildings, and historical and cultural heritages. However, sometimes relying on a single method for 3D modelling an object/structure is insufficient to arrive at a solution or meet expectations. For example, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) provide perspective for building roofs, while terrestrial laser scanners provide general information about building facades. In this research, several facades of a selected building could not be modelled using terrestrial laser scanning, and UAS was used to complete the missing data for 3D modelling. The transformation matrix, a linear function, is created to merge different data types. In the transformation matrix, the scale was found to be 1:1.012. The accuracy analysis of the produced 3D model was also made by comparing the spatial measurements taken from different building facades and the differences in the measurement values obtained from the 3D model and calculating statistically. According to the accuracy analysis results, the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) value is approximately 3 cm. The results of the accuracy research, which are within the 95% confidence interval with the three-sigma rule, are approximately 2 cm as RMSE. As a result of the study, it was determined that the data obtained from UAV photogrammetry and the data obtained by the TLS technique could be combined, and the integrated 3D model obtained can be used more efficiently.