An OpenStreetMap-based approach for generating capacity-restricted POIs for activity-based travel demand modeling

Abstract

The generation of Points of Interest including capacities for travel demand models is usually costly and laborious. Recently, several methods have been developed to automate this process based on Volunteered Geographic Information data as well as to validate the corresponding results. The methodology presented in this paper takes on the task of setting up such a workflow on a large scale, including capacities and all common activity types, by making use of OpenStreetMap data. As a result, a Points of Interest dataset could be created for the whole of Germany, which maps around 24 million destinations including capacities divided into seven activity types. An exemplary validation based on the generated workplace and shopping locations as well as capacities indicates a varying quality of results depending on the respective regional type. The discussion additionally concludes that assignment of several activities to one location presents challenges that should be addressed in future approaches.