Performance of a New Enhanced Topological Decision-Rule Map-Matching Algorithm for Transportation Applications

Abstract

Map-matching problems arise in numerous transportation-related applications when spatial data is collected usinginaccurate GPS technology and integrated with a flawed digital roadway map in a GIS environment. This paperpresents a new enhanced post-processing topological decision-rule map-matching algorithm in order to addressrelevant special cases that occur in the spatial mismatch resolution. The proposed map-matching algorithm includessimple algorithmic improvements: dynamic buffer that varies its size to snap GPS data points to at least one roadwaycenterline; a comparison between vehicle heading measurements and associated roadway centerline direction; and anew design of the sequence of steps in the algorithm architecture. The original and new versions of the algorithmwere tested on different spatial data qualities collected in Canada and United States. Although both versionssatisfactorily resolve complex spatial ambiguities, the comparative and statistical analysis indicates that the newalgorithm with the simple algorithmic improvements outperformed the original version of the map-matching algorithm.