Aspects of the present invention are directed at estimating the value of
an attribute at a specified geographic location. In one embodiment, a
method is provided that estimates the elevation at a principal point
using LiDAR data that was collected from spatially related secondary
points. More specifically, the method includes identifying secondary
points where sample attribute data was obtained that are within a
predetermined distance to the principal point where the attribute is
being estimated. A secondary point may be selected and allocated a
masking zone and a determination made regarding whether one or more
distant secondary points are within the area of the masking zone. In this
regard, more distant secondary points that are inside a masking zone may
be assigned less relevance when estimating the value of the attribute.