Maps get real: Digital maps evolving from mathematical line graphs to virtual reality models

Abstract

This paper describes the production process of 3D maps at Tele Atlas. Starting from a 2D City map which contains relevant features by their outline, 3D City maps are created by adding height to the outlines of buildings and other objects. Further enhancements are made by adding roof representations and facade textures. These textures can either be an exact representation of the facade or be composed of predefined elements from a library which leads to significant data size reductions. In the production process, Mobile Mapping a technology developed at Tele Atlas plays an important role. It serves to collect building heights and facade textures and components. To date this has resulted in the availability of 3D City maps of 12 cities with important extension planned for 2008. The paper ends by stating that whereas the original reason to develop 3D maps stems from a desire to improve the user interface of navigation and other Intelligent Transport applications, it is likely that 3D models will have growing significance in future also for in-car safety systems.