A Comparative Survey of Map Matching Algorithms

As positioning systems have developed and become available to civilians, navigations systems have been produced and available to use for the public. However, navigation systems face a very important challenge of matching position data retrieved from a positioning system on the digital map of the navigation system. This problem is caused due to independence of positioning systems such as Global Positioning System and gyroscope from digital maps which are mostly produced by photogrammetric procedures. In addition to navigation, the problem also happens in traffic probes for measuring road speeds, producing statistical models of traffic delays, finding time-optimal driving routes, collision avoidance systems and etc. In this research, different methods of map matching since 1986 are taken into consideration. These methods are categorized from different aspects and a brief description of how each method works is also provided. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of each method are studied.