Anomaly Detection and Cleaning of Highway Elevation Data from Google Earth Using Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition

Elevation information and its derivation, such as grade, are very important in analyses of traffic operation, safety performance, and energy consumption on highways. Google Earth (GE) is considered a reliable source of elevation information of ground surface and highway elevation. Data were extracted from GE. However, the authors found that raw GE elevation data on highways contains various anomalies and noises. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the use of the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method for anomaly detection and cleaning of highway elevation data extracted from GE. Three interstate highways’ segments were studied, and typical anomalies that existed in raw GE elevation data were identified. The EEMD method was then applied to decompose elevation data into different compositions with different details of original data, which were determined into those containing true information or white noise. The modeling results showed that the EEMD method was effective in excluding noises and obtaining accurate elevation data. Findings of this study can help transport authorities to create an accurate elevation data set for all highways or other road classes.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1061/JTEPBS.0000138
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/24732907
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Authors:
  • Chen, Xinqiang
  • Li, Zhibin
  • Wang, Yinhai
  • Tang, Jinjun
  • Zhu, Wenbo
  • Shi, Chaojian
  • Wu, Huafeng
• Publication Date: 2018-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: 04018015
• Serial:
  • Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems
  • Volume: 144
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 2473-2907
  • EISSN: 2473-2893
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/journal/jtepbs

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic data collection systems; Data files; Data processing operations; Data quality; Highway grades; Highways; Interference
• Identifier Terms: Empirical Mode Decomposition; Google Earth
• Uncontrolled Terms: Elevation data
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01666735
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Apr 23 2018 4:47PM