Enhancing 3D Model for Urban Area with Neural Representations

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

S. Li Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

G.A.K. Arroyo Ohori Urban Data Science - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
N. Ibrahimli Urban Data Science - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
Azarakhsh Rafiee Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
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Published Date

03-07-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

The accuracy and comprehensiveness of 3D city models have become increasingly important for applications like monitoring, sustainability evaluation, disaster management, and urban planning. However, creating accurate and complete 3D models is challenging. Traditional methods, such as photogrammetry and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), often face issues like time-consuming processes and data gaps caused by occlusion. Additionally, these methods typically produce discrete models that fail to capture all the information from the original objects, limiting the ability to reconstruct small structures.

In this thesis, we explore the potential and characteristics of enhancing 3D models for urban areas using implicit neural representation. This method offers generalizability, ensures no void areas, and provides more detailed information when using multi-modal inputs. The datasets used for model training include Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland 3 (AHN3), 2019 Luchtfoto Beeldmateriaal, 3D Basisregistratie Adressen en Gebouwen (BAG), and Basisregistratie Grootschalige Topografie (BGT). The city center of Eindhoven is used for training and testing, and the city center of Rotterdam serves as a test dataset.

The method involves learning location-dependent latent codes from raw point cloud and orthophoto, and adjusting the probability of space occupancy based on point clouds sampled from the 3D city model. A decoder is used to calculate the probability of existence for any point in the 3D space from the continuous field. Proper sampling allows us to derive a continuous Digital Surface Model (DSM) with unlimited resolution from the neural network.

The results show a high degree of accuracy: the generated DSM for the training area in Eindhoven demonstrated a median absolute error of 0.484 m overall. Accuracy for building areas was recorded at 0.798 m, and for terrain, it was 0.302 m. The model also displayed robust generalization capabilities, with an accuracy of 0.336 m in the Eindhoven test area and 0.23 meters in Rotterdam. Additionally, the model's ability to fill voids was confirmed through both visual inspection and quantitative evaluations. This research underscores the potential of implicit neural representation for generating detailed DSMs and effectively filling no-data voids.