The recent study on the quality assessment of digital surface models (DSMs) produced by the Gaofen-7 (GF-7) satellite is poised to have significant implications for the construction industry. Launched on November 3, 2019, the GF-7 satellite is designed to facilitate high-precision mapping, a vital component for various applications, including construction, urban planning, and natural resource monitoring.
The research, conducted by P. Tian from the Faculty of Geomatics at Lanzhou JIAOTONG University, emphasizes the satellite’s capability to achieve 1:10,000 scale stereo mapping. This level of detail is crucial for construction projects that require accurate geographical data for planning and implementation. “The quality of the DSM products generated by the GF-7 satellite is good,” Tian noted, highlighting the satellite’s potential to meet the practical demands of the construction sector.
In the study, DSMs were extracted from GF-7 optical stereo images in Zhaodong and Tianjin, China. The evaluation involved comparing these models against a high-resolution aerial reference digital elevation model (DEM) and a 30m resolution product known as COP30. The results were promising, with the elevation accuracy reaching 0.97 meters in Zhaodong and 1.54 meters in Tianjin when referenced against the aerial DEM. This level of precision can significantly enhance the reliability of data used in construction projects, allowing for better risk assessment and resource management.
However, the study also pointed out challenges, particularly in areas like Tianjin, which has numerous water bodies and buildings. The elevation accuracy dropped to 2.42 meters when using the COP30 product due to data gaps in these regions. “The elevation positioning accuracy can still provide a correct overall depiction of surface objects,” Tian explained, indicating that while there are limitations, the satellite’s data remains valuable.
As construction companies increasingly rely on high-resolution geographical data for site assessments and project planning, the advancements demonstrated by the GF-7 satellite could lead to a paradigm shift in how projects are executed. Enhanced DSMs can support more efficient workflows, reduce costs, and improve safety by providing accurate terrain information.
This research, published in ‘The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences’, underscores the importance of integrating satellite technology into the construction sector. As the demand for precise mapping continues to grow, the insights gained from this study could pave the way for further innovations in construction methodologies.
For more information about the research and its implications, visit lead_author_affiliation.