Analysis of the use of digital road maps in vehicle navigation

Digital road maps are being used increasingly throughout the world as they become more available. Five major digital road map suppliers are focusing their efforts on producing databases that support vehicle navigation functions. Of a total of 147 vehicle navigation systems in the world, 89 use in-vehicle maps, of which, 35 employ map matching, and 31 offer real-time route guidance. Vehicle navigation systems are limited by the maps they use, so the availability of inexpensive, complete and seamless navigable digital road maps remains as an impediment to the wider use of vehicle navigation systems