Remote Sens. 2010, 2(4), 1120-1141; doi:10.3390/rs2041120
Article

Forest Roads Mapped Using LiDAR in Steep Forested Terrain

Russell A. White 1 email, Brian C. Dietterick 2,* email, Thomas Mastin 3 email and Rollin Strohman 3 email
1 Natural Resources Management Department, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA 2 Swanton Pacific Ranch, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA 3 BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 25 January 2010; in revised form: 9 March 2010 / Accepted: 13 April 2010 / Published: 15 April 2010
(This article belongs to the Special Issue LiDAR)
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Abstract: LiDAR-derived digital elevation models can reveal road networks located beneath dense forest canopy. This study tests the accuracy of forest road characteristics mapped using LiDAR in the Santa Cruz Mountains, CA. The position, gradient, and total length of a forest haul road were accurately extracted using a 1 m DEM. In comparison to a field-surveyed centerline, the LiDAR-derived road exhibited a positional accuracy of 1.5 m, road grade measurements within 0.53% mean absolute difference, and total road length within 0.2% of the field-surveyed length. Airborne LiDAR can provide thorough and accurate road inventory data to support forest management and watershed assessment activities.
Keywords: LiDAR applications; forest roads; GIS

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Cite This Article

MDPI and ACS Style

White, R.A.; Dietterick, B.C.; Mastin, T.; Strohman, R. Forest Roads Mapped Using LiDAR in Steep Forested Terrain. Remote Sens. 2010, 2, 1120-1141.

AMA Style

White RA, Dietterick BC, Mastin T, Strohman R. Forest Roads Mapped Using LiDAR in Steep Forested Terrain. Remote Sensing. 2010; 2(4):1120-1141.

Chicago/Turabian Style

White, Russell A.; Dietterick, Brian C.; Mastin, Thomas; Strohman, Rollin. 2010. "Forest Roads Mapped Using LiDAR in Steep Forested Terrain." Remote Sens. 2, no. 4: 1120-1141.

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