Using the Dempster-Shafer method for the fusion of LIDAR data and multi-spectral images for building detection

A method for the detection of buildings in densely built-up urban areas by the fusion of first and last pulse laser scanner data and multi-spectral images is presented. The method attempts to achieve a classification of land cover into the classes “building”, “tree”, “grassland”, and “bare soil”, the latter three being considered relevant for the subsequent generation of a high-quality digital terrain model (DTM). Building detection is accomplished by first applying a hierarchical rule-based technique for coarse DTM generation based on morphological filtering. After that, data fusion based on the theory of Dempster-Shafer is used at two different stages of the classification process. We describe the algorithms involved, giving examples for a test site in Fairfield (New South Wales).