ActMAP (Actualize Map); the complexity of multiple map suppliers and multiple versions of in-vehicles maps, Map database management -GPS

Map database management:
A European consortium called ActMAP (Actualize Map) is "developing standardised mechanisms to update existing map database content and enable dynamic attachment of information to the digital in-vehicle map".

The ActMAP consortium comprises ERTICO (coordinator), BMW, CRF Fiat Research Centre, DaimlerChrysler, Navigon, NAVTEQ, Tele Atlas, and Siemens VDO Automotive.
They have finished most of their work and published a number of reports, which were submitted to the ISO committee TC204 WG3 for standardization. Their reports serve as a good starting point and reference for the work of this project.

An important issue their reports address is dealing with the complexity of multiple map suppliers, using proprietary formats, coupled with multiple data suppliers and multiple versions of in-vehicles maps. They resolve this by using an open intermediate map format expressed with XML and based on the concepts of the ISO standard GDF 4.0. All modifications to a supplier's database are first converted to this intermediate format, stored on a server and then converted to each format used within individual vehicles.