Real-Time Map Matching: A New Algorithm Integrating Spatio-Temporal Proximity and Improved Weighted Circle

Previous real-time map matching algorithms for in-vehicle navigation systems had some efficiencies and defects on time lagging and low accuracy. As a response, this paper proposes a new algorithm that integrates STP (spatio-temporal proximity) and IWC (improved weighted circle), in which the new algorithm proposes STP to dynamically refine candidate matching roads, and IWC to adaptively identify the optimal matching road. Specifically, three spatio-temporal proximity indicators are defined in STP to build a three-dimensional stereoscopic cone, and then the two-dimensional projection of the cone are adopted to dynamically select the candidate matching roads. Further, by adaptively setting the weight, the IWC algorithm is developed to integrate three new parameters to adaptively determine the optimal matching road. The test results show that the matching accuracy of the algorithm is over 95%, much higher than that of the existing algorithm, which demonstrates the feasibility and efficiency of the new algorithm.