Map-Generation Algorithm Using Low-Frequency Vehicle Position Data

Providing accurate map data is essential for a variety of applications in traffic engineering, e.g. navigation systems. To overcome costs and effort associated with classical map generation methods (e.g. surveying or specialized vehicles) a method for automatic map generation based on position data stemming from vehicle fleets that are already equipped with GPS and participate in day-to-day traffic is presented. The method is designed in particular for urban road networks, where building work is carried out frequently. In this paper we make use of taxi fleet data for map generation. The data used were recorded at relatively low frequencies (15 to 90 seconds), such that a trivial connection of subsequent positions is not possible. The problem is solved by processing the data through a series of algorithmic steps. After data cleaning and transforming raw data by a Transverse Mercator projection to a plane, density regions based on geographic position and estimated headings are calculated. The density images are filtered by a Gaussian kernel and a watershed transform is applied. From the resulting image a skeleton is derived and intersections are detected by dedicated rules. The resulting directed graph is compared with aerial images from Google Earth and an existing OpenStreetMap digital road network. Using data from vehicles participating in day-to-day traffic allows not only to derive static network information (nodes / links), but– depending on the vehicle fleet used – to annotate the resulting graph with attributes directly deduced from data, like typical link speed distributions or turning fractions at intersections.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Steiner, Albert
  • Leonhardt, Axel
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 90th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2011-1-23 to 2011-1-27
• Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: DVD
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 17p
• Monograph Title: TRB 90th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Algorithms; Automatic data collection systems; Digital mapping; Global Positioning System; Mathematical models; Network links; Network nodes; Position fixing; Probe vehicles; Taxicabs
• Identifier Terms: Google Earth
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; I71: Traffic Theory;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01337249
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 11-0486
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 19 2011 7:17AM