Large scale city mapping using satellite imagery

Abstract

The rectification of high resolution digital aerial images or satellite imagery employed for large scale city mapping is modern technology that needs well distributed and accurately defined control points. Digital satellite imagery, obtained using widely known software Google Earth, can be applied for accurate city map construction. The method of five control points is suggested for imagery rectification introducing the algorithm offered by Prof. Ruan Wei (Tong Ji University, Shanghai). Image rectification software created on the basis of the above suggested algorithm can correct image deformation with required accuracy, is reliable and keeps advantages in flexibility. Experimental research on testing the applied technology has been executed using GeoEye imagery with Google Earth builder over the city of Vilnius. Orthophoto maps at the scales of 1:1000 and 1:500 are generated referring to the methodology of five control points. Reference data and rectification results are checked comparing with those received from processing digital aerial images using a digital photogrammetry approach. The image rectification process applying the investigated method takes a short period of time (about 4–5 minutes) and uses only five control points. The accuracy of the created models satisfies requirements for large scale mapping.