An approach is provided for providing a digital elevation model. For example, the approach involves processing, by a processor, map elevation data to create a hierarchical resolution tile representation of the digital elevation model for a geographic area. The hierarchical resolution tile representation includes a plurality of resolution levels, wherein each of the plurality of levels represents the digital elevation model at a different resolution. The digital elevation model includes a plurality of control points, wherein each of the plurality of control points is associated with an elevation data point determined from the map elevation data.

A map having surfaces that are depicted at different levels that are not related to topography, with boundaries between the surfaces, where the boundaries are disposed at travel ways. The travel ways form cliff faces in the map between the surfaces, with information items disposed on the cliff faces at positions corresponding to items of interest at locations along the travel ways where the information items are disposed.

A map having surfaces that are depicted at different levels that are not related to topography, with boundaries between the surfaces, where the boundaries are disposed at travel ways. The travel ways form cliff faces in the map between the surfaces, with information items disposed on the cliff faces at positions corresponding to items of interest at locations along the travel ways where the information items are disposed.

A system and method for generating land maps of a land area. The land maps can include two-dimensional and three-dimensional land maps. The land maps may be efficiently generated based on field data obtained by mobile machines configured to traverse the land area, with the mobile machines associated with one or more sensors. The land maps may be used to accurately and efficiently guide other mobile machines as such mobile machines traverse through or operate within the land area.

A system and method for generating land maps of a land area. The land maps can include two-dimensional and three-dimensional land maps. The land maps may be efficiently generated based on field data obtained by mobile machines configured to traverse the land area, with the mobile machines associated with one or more sensors. The land maps may be used to accurately and efficiently guide other mobile machines as such mobile machines traverse through or operate within the land area.

In order to reduce the number of avoidance actions, a route setting server includes map information storage device for storing map information in which the passerby quantity information indicating a passerby quantity is associated with a traveling path on which an autonomously traveling object travels autonomously, traffic frequency distribution identification device for identifying a passerby traffic frequency distribution in a predetermined area in which the traveling object travels autonomously, map information updating device for updating the passerby quantity information of the map information, based on the passerby traffic frequency distribution identified by the traffic frequency distribution identification device, and route determination device for determining a target route for the traveling object to travel based on the map information.

An approach is provided for providing a digital elevation model. For example, the approach involves processing, by a processor, map elevation data to create a hierarchical resolution tile representation of the digital elevation model for a geographic area. The hierarchical resolution tile representation includes a plurality of resolution levels, wherein each of the plurality of levels represents the digital elevation model at a different resolution. The digital elevation model includes a plurality of control points, wherein each of the plurality of control points is associated with an elevation data point determined from the map elevation data.

A map having surfaces that are depicted at different levels that are not related to topography, with boundaries between the surfaces, where the boundaries are disposed at travel ways. The travel ways form cliff faces in the map between the surfaces, with information items disposed on the cliff faces at positions corresponding to items of interest at locations along the travel ways where the information items are disposed.

A map having surfaces that are depicted at different levels that are not related to topography, with boundaries between the surfaces, where the boundaries are disposed at travel ways. The travel ways form cliff faces in the map between the surfaces, with information items disposed on the cliff faces at positions corresponding to items of interest at locations along the travel ways where the information items are disposed.

Embodiments provide systems and methods for generating a street map that includes a position identifier that identifies a location on the street map. The method and system may also generate and display a plurality of images representative of the location of the position identifier. A user may interact with a position identifier or one of several scroll icons to view images of other locations on the street map and/or to obtain driving directions between two locations.