Abstract: A system, a method, and a computer program product may be provided for determining a rooftop type. The system may be configured to obtain location information associated with a UAV, and obtain a first set of images and building data associated with a building in proximity of the UAV based on the location information. The system is configured to extract a set of rooftop features for a rooftop of the building using the first set of images and the building data. The set of rooftop features comprises at least a rooftop type and a durability parameter for the rooftop. The system is configured to store the set of rooftop features in conjunction with the building data for the building in a map database.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for predicting damage area zones for a vehicle to avoid in case of an accident. The approach involves, for example, retrieving property cost data associated with one or more map features of a geographic area. The approach also involves determining at least one damage area zone in the geographic area based on the property cost data, wherein the at least one damage area zone indicates a zone within the geographic area associated with a property damage value predicted to result from an accident occurring in the zone based on the property cost data. The approach further involves providing the at least one damage area zone as a digital channel output of a geographic database.

Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus includes a memory and a processor in communication with the memory and configured to execute instructions stored in the memory operable to determine at least one surrounding vehicle based on location information of the at least one surrounding vehicle, wherein the at least one surrounding vehicle is configured to receive at least one vehicle signal from a host vehicle. The processor is further configured to determine a line of sight (LOS) of the at least one surrounding vehicle based on the at least one vehicle signal, wherein the line of sight is defined by a perceivability of a driver of the at least one surrounding vehicle to view the at least one vehicle signal. The processor is further configured to determine a confidence level of the at least one surrounding vehicle based on the determined LOS.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for detecting cornering spots capable of facilitating crowd control by limiting a mobility of a crowd. The approach involves, for example, collecting satellite, aerial, and/or street-level imagery associated with one or more geographic features of a geographic area. The approach also involves determining at least one cornering spot along with one or more attributes of the cornering spot characterizing the effectiveness of the cornering spot to assist in crowd control. Cornering spot data can be stored in a geographic database and/or displayed in an application on user equipment.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program for identifying canopy structures are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a first calculated offset between a start point of a shadow cast by a building and a proximate first vertex of a building footprint of the building, and receiving a second calculated offset between an end point of the shadow cast by the building and a proximate second vertex of the building footprint, the shadow identified from an overhead image of the building, and wherein the building footprint comprises a shadowed side and a non-shadowed side, each running between the start point and the end point of the shadow on a different respective side of the building. The method also includes comparing the offsets to an offset threshold, and in response to both the first and second received offsets exceeding the offset threshold, determining that the building footprint represents a canopy.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for using aerial imagery to identify and distinguish fluid leaks from objects, structures, and shadows in aerial imagery. A method may include: receiving an aerial image of a geographic region; identifying objects within the aerial image; determining shadow areas associated with the objects within the aerial image; determining whether areas exist contiguous with the shadow areas and extending beyond the shadow areas; identifying one or more fluid leaks in response to areas existing contiguous with the shadow areas and extending beyond the shadow areas; and generating an indication of the one or more fluid leaks including one or more locations of the one or more fluid leaks.

Abstract: An approach is provided for determining a confidence level for map feature identification in a map application. The approach involves, for instance, presenting an image of a map feature in a user interface of a device. The image is initially presented with a content of the image obscured from view. The approach also involves progressively un-obscuring the image in the user interface until an input identifying the map feature is received from a user via the user interface. The approach further involves determining a percentage of the image that is visible at a time the input is received from the user. The approach further involves personalizing an application to the user based on the feature identification confidence level.

Abstract: An approach is provided for mapping based on pedestrian type. The approach, for instance, involves processing image data to a determine the pedestrian type of at least one pedestrian depicted in the image data. The approach also involves determining a classification of a geographic zone based on the detected pedestrian type. The approach further involves generating a digital map representation of the geographic zone based on the classification.

Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus includes a memory and a processor in communication with the memory and configured to execute instructions stored in the memory operable to determine at least one surrounding vehicle based on location information of the at least one surrounding vehicle, wherein the at least one surrounding vehicle is configured to receive at least one vehicle signal from a host vehicle. The processor is further configured to determine a line of sight (LOS) of the at least one surrounding vehicle based on the at least one vehicle signal, wherein the line of sight is defined by a perceivability of a driver of the at least one surrounding vehicle to view the at least one vehicle signal. The processor is further configured to determine a confidence level of the at least one surrounding vehicle based on the determined LOS.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for detecting cornering spots capable of facilitating crowd control by limiting a mobility of a crowd. The approach involves, for example, collecting satellite, aerial, and/or street-level imagery associated with one or more geographic features of a geographic area. The approach also involves determining at least one cornering spot along with one or more attributes of the cornering spot characterizing the effectiveness of the cornering spot to assist in crowd control. Cornering spot data can be stored in a geographic database and/or displayed in an application on user equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying inclined regions are provided.

Abstract: Various aspects of a system and a method for determining a position of one or more multi-dimensional objects are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, the system may include a memory and a processor. The processor may be configured to obtain, from a plurality of satellite images, shadow data of a first multi-dimensional object from one or more multi-dimensional objects on a visible surface. The processor may be configured to obtain, from a server, base elevation data and height data of the first multi-dimensional object. The processor may be further configured to generate a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the plurality of multi-dimensional objects. The processor may be further configured to determine a position of a second multi-dimensional object of the plurality of multi-dimensional objects on the visible surface, based on the generated DEM.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program for identifying canopy structures are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a first calculated offset between a start point of a shadow cast by a building and a proximate first vertex of a building footprint of the building, and receiving a second calculated offset between an end point of the shadow cast by the building and a proximate second vertex of the building footprint, the shadow identified from an overhead image of the building, and wherein the building footprint comprises a shadowed side and a non-shadowed side, each running between the start point and the end point of the shadow on a different respective side of the building. The method also includes comparing the offsets to an offset threshold, and in response to both the first and second received offsets exceeding the offset threshold, determining that the building footprint represents a canopy.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for predicting damage area zones for a vehicle to avoid in case of an accident. The approach involves, for example, retrieving property cost data associated with one or more map features of a geographic area. The approach also involves determining at least one damage area zone in the geographic area based on the property cost data, wherein the at least one damage area zone indicates a zone within the geographic area associated with a property damage value predicted to result from an accident occurring in the zone based on the property cost data. The approach further involves providing the at least one damage area zone as a digital channel output of a geographic database.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided. The method comprises: receiving a request for a route for a user between an origin and a destination; identifying a route for the user between the origin and the destination using a user-subjective-navigational-marker-perception profile for the user and according to a predetermined suitability criterion, wherein the user-subjective-navigational-marker-perception profile comprises data about the user's subjective perception of navigational markers, and wherein the identified route includes navigational markers along the route which are flagged based on the user-subjective-navigational-marker-perception profile; and providing the identified route for user navigation.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for generating line-of-sight information using imagery. In some aspects, the method includes receiving a raster image depicting at least one object in a region of interest, and measuring a shadow of the at least one object in the raster image. The method also includes determining an angle of the sun from the shadow of the at least one object, and creating a plurality of virtual shadows for the at least one object using the angle of the sun. The method further includes generating line-of-sight information for the at least one object based on an intersection of the plurality of virtual shadows with objects in the region of interest.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for generating line-of-sight information using imagery. In some aspects, the method includes receiving a raster image depicting at least one object in a region of interest, and measuring a shadow of the at least one object in the raster image. The method also includes determining an angle of the sun from the shadow of the at least one object, and creating a plurality of virtual shadows for the at least one object using the angle of the sun. The method further includes generating line-of-sight information for the at least one object based on an intersection of the plurality of virtual shadows with objects in the region of interest.

Abstract: An approach is provided for providing lane-level mapping/routing based on vehicle/user health status data. The approach, for example, involves determining health status data indicating at least one health or maintenance condition of a vehicle, a user of the vehicle, or a combination thereof. The approach also involves computing a lane-level navigation routing for the vehicle, another vehicle, or a combination thereof based on the health status data. The approach further involves providing the lane-level navigation routing as an output.

Abstract: An approach is provided for mapping based on pedestrian type. The approach, for instance, involves processing image data to a determine the pedestrian type of at least one pedestrian depicted in the image data. The approach also involves determining a classification of a geographic zone based on the detected pedestrian type. The approach further involves generating a digital map representation of the geographic zone based on the classification.

Abstract: A map generation system, method and computer program product are provided to generate a shadow layer from a raster image that accurately represents the shadows of one or more buildings. In the context of a map generation system, the map generation system extracts pixel values from a raster image of one or more buildings and processes the pixel values so as to retain pixel values within a predefined range while eliminating other pixel values. The pixel values that are retained represent a shadow. The map generation system also modifies the a representation of the shadow by modifying the pixel values of respective pixels so as to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the one or more buildings. The map generation system causes presentation or storage of the building layer representing the one or more buildings and a shadow layer representing the shadow.