Digital Elevation Models by Laser Scanning and Their Application in Various GIS Projects

Author: Jorg Schaller
Organization: Esri Geoinformatik GmbH

RingstraBe 7
Kranzberg, MI 48161
Germany

Phone: 08166/677-0
Fax: 08166/677-111
j.schaller@Esri-germany.de

Digital elevation models (DEMs) are not a recent development, but DEM production using laser scanning technology is relatively new. The TopoSys laser scanner system has been in use for some time to produce high-precision digital elevation models; however, the integration of this data into a GIS is a new challenge. After gathering data from different platforms, such as fixed-wing planes or helicopters, different preprocessing and data interpretation steps have to be carried out. The evaluation of data and the usage for GIS project work are totally different issues related to the kind of application that has to be supported. This paper will give an overview of the state of the art of GIS applications carried out in different projects such as utilities, hydrological applications, three-dimensional GIS for visualization, and three-dimensional modeling for environmental and telematic applications.