Evaluating the Accuracy of the Global Digital Elevation Model Using GNSS Levelling

Authors

  • Mohd Faizuddin Abd Rahman Faculty of Asia Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Geomatika Malaysia, 54200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Ami Hassan Md Din Geospatial Imaging and Information Research Group (Gi2RG), Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • Siti Norshahira Mohd Yamen Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v23i2.8382

Keywords:

Global Digital Elevation Model, SRTM, ASTER, ALOSW3D, TanDEM-X, GNSS Levelling, Orthometric Height

Abstract

Global Digital Elevation Models (GDEMs) such as Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), Advanced Land Observing Satellite World 3D (ALOSW3D), and TerraSAR-X Add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement (TanDEM-X) are widely used for environmental modelling and flood risk assessment. However, their vertical accuracy varies across tropical regions, where terrain, vegetation, and land subsidence complicate elevation measurement. This study evaluates the accuracy of four (4) open-source GDEMs in Peninsular Malaysia using 199 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) levelling benchmarks as reference data. The aim is to determine the best open-source DEM for coastal inundation and flood risk modelling in Peninsular Malaysia. The orthometric heights, H, for the open-source Digital Elevation Model (DEM) were extracted using Global Mapper software and statistically compared in terms of their Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Correlation Coefficient (R) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). On the other hand, the orthometric height, H, for the GNSS levelling was derived from the Trimble Business Centre (TBC). Results show that TanDEM-X achieved the highest accuracy (RMSE = 2.480 m, R = 0.900, and MAE = 3.099 m), followed by ALOSW3D, while SRTM and ASTER showed larger deviation between all four (4) GDEMs. The findings highlight TanDEM-X’s suitability for coastal inundation and flood risk modelling in Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in low-lying deltaic zones.

Author Biographies

  • Mohd Faizuddin Abd Rahman, Faculty of Asia Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Geomatika Malaysia, 54200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Mohd Faizuddin Abd Rahman, is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Geomatic and Geospatial (SOGG), Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABS), Universiti Geomatika Malaysia (UGM). He earned his B.Eng (Hons.) in Geomatics Engineering in 2015, M.Phil in Geomatics Engineering in 2018, and PhD in Geomatics Engineering in 2023, all from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). His research interests encompass Geodesy, Satellite Positioning, Radar Remote Sensing, Hydrography, and Tidal Modelling. He can be contacted via email at faizuddin@geomatika.edu.my.

  • Ami Hassan Md Din, Geospatial Imaging and Information Research Group (Gi2RG), Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

    Ami Hassan Md Din is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geoinformation at the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). He earned his B.Eng (Hons.) in Geomatics Engineering in 2007, M.Phil in Geomatics Engineering in 2010, and PhD in Geomatics Engineering in 2014, all from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. His research interests encompass Geodesy, Marine Geodesy, Geoid Modelling, Satellite Positioning, High Precision Positioning, Radar Remote Sensing, Hydrography, Physical Oceanography, and Tidal Modelling. He can be contacted via email at amihassan@utm.my.

  • Siti Norshahira Mohd Yamen, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Siti Norshahira Mohd Yamen is a student at the Faculty of Built Environment (FAB), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam. She earned her B.Eng (Hons.) in Geomatics Engineering in 2021 at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 9UTM) and is currently pursuing her Master's by Taught Course at UiTM Shah Alam. Her studies involve digital elevation model (DEM) and GIS. She can be contacted via email at sitinurshahiramohdyamen@gmail.com 

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Published

03-07-2026

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Vol. 23 No. 2 (2026): Built Environment Journal

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mohd Faizuddin Abd Rahman, Ami Hassan Md Din, Siti Norshahira Mohd Yamen

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How to Cite

Evaluating the Accuracy of the Global Digital Elevation Model Using GNSS Levelling. (2026). Built Environment Journal, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v23i2.8382

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