Comparing Remotely Sensed Pictometry® Web Based Slope Distance Estimates with In Situ Total Station and Tape Slope Distance Estimates

Slope distance was measured between the top of 30 light poles and their respective ground level coordinate identified within a central parking lot on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas. Slope distance measured using Pictometry® hyperspatial 4-inch (10.2 centimeters) multispectral imagery within a web based interface was compared to in situ total station and tape measured slope distance. The range for mean slope distance for Pictometry®, total station, and tape measured slope distance was 0.05 meters. Mean slope distance was 15.36 meters, 15.37 meters, and 15.41 meters for Pictometry®, total station, and tape measured slope distance respectively. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) between Pictometry®, total station, and tape measured slope distance resulting in a p-value of 0.9996 indicated there was not a significant difference between Pictometry®, total station, and tape measured slope distance. A two-tail t-test between the absolute difference between Pictometry® and tape measured slope distance and the absolute difference between Pictometry® and total station measured slope distance with a p-value of 0.6680 indicated there was not a significant difference between the two measurement errors. Results indicate that slope distance measured remotely with Pictometry® hyperspatial 4-inch (10.2 centimeters) multispectral imagery within a web based interfaced can be used in lieu of in situ total station and tape measured slope distance.