Algorithm for graph building based on Google Maps and Google Earth

摘要

This paper proposes a graph building algorithm that transforms geo-location data into a network graph, which could be useful for applications involving navigation aids or robotics. At first, our new method takes data from source Keynote Markup Language 2.2 format (KML 2.2) files such as extracted from Google Maps. Then, our algorithm creates a directed, acyclical graph which is displayed and overlayed afterwards in Google Earth. A Java application has been built to implement and test the system based on the graph building algorithm for the analysis of ski piste maps. Testing of the graph, in context of ski resorts, demonstrates that the algorithm is accurate and suitable for use in Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Moreover, the performance of the algorithm has been analysed. It shows that, with the size of the network graphs produced and the available hardware, our algorithm is computationally efficient.