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What is a Digital Terrain Model (DTM)?
Map Production with Drones
What is a Digital Terrain Model (DTM)?
A digital terrain model (DTM) is a digital dataset that represents the natural surface of the land (excluding vegetation and structures) using elevation points. It is used in contour lines, cross-sections, volumetric weight calculations, and project calculations.
What is a DTM (Digital Terrain Model) Used For?
- Excavation and fill volume calculation (volume)
- Road, dam, and infrastructure route design
- Slope and drainage analysis
- Slope stability and land use planning
- Existing map and topographic surveys
Difference Between DTM and Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
A DTM only models the land surface (bare ground); a DEM includes buildings, trees, and all elevations. DTM is generally preferred in project and volumetric weight calculations.
How is a DTM Produced?
Points collected via total station, GNSS, drone photogrammetry, or laser scanning are processed to create triangulation (TIN) or grid-based Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). KG Engineering provides digital terrain model production services within the scope of engineering surveys, drone-based map production, and cadastral map services.
Related terms: What is a Digital Elevation Model (DEM)?, What is a Cadastral Map?
