XML map metadata format for open map sources: A survey and overview

In the field of Geographic Information Systems, Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) are achieving through the open source map database (DB) construction approach. Multiple map DB providers employ open source technologies in attempting to reduce unknown map information in their proprietary maps. In this paper, we survey and overview an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) metadata format for open source maps based on cloud computing and a mash-up between navigation systems and users. New road information is extracted by onboard navigation systems during travel over such roads by drivers or voluntary participants. Metadata recording the road information is generated in an XML map format that is then made available to heterogeneous navigation systems through a cloud computing environment. Specifically, map metadata is provided to various map DB providers through open source network interfaces, after which map DB providers can efficiently relay the updated map information in their proprietary map DB formats.