Creating 3D city models from OpenStreetMap data

The creation of 3D city models is essential for a wide variety of applications. The development of driver assistance systems also benefits from city models in the context of testing and evaluating these systems in driving simulations, as the simulators can be used to replicate any traffic situation with the aid of these city models. However, numerous data packages are required to generate a 3D city model, including road logic, street furniture (lighting, signage, etc.), vegetation and a terrain model. Much of this data is expensive to collect, restricted by licences or requires pre-processing. OpenStreetMap (OSM) provides access to some of this data. An attempt is being made to create a 3D building model based on this OSM data.