Voxel Approach to Landscape Modelling

In this paper, we present a method for 3D volumetric reconstruction of landscape from airborne laser scanner data. The method applies a voxel model, where volume is divided to sub-volume particles, voxels, associated with a scalar or vector value. In the presented study the voxel model is generated from airborne laser scanner data, which enables measurement of large areas. Laser scanning provides simultaneously 3D co-ordinates and intensity-values for the laser pulses reflected from the surfaces. The typical density of laser data is several points per square meter and instruments are able to register more than one echo of the returning signal. Therefore, airborne laser scanning provides information not just about the ground surface, but also about the objects on top of the ground surface. In the study, several voxel models are derived from two different laser measurement data sets covering the same area. The models are compared and analysed.