Advanced traffic light information in OpenStreetMap for traffic simulations

In this paper, we show the development process of a new proposed feature for OpenStreetMap (OSM) traffic light tags. We introduce the needs for such kind of information in OSM and define requirements for our simulation needs. After comparing different traffic light tagging ideas and matching them to our requirements we come to the conclusion to extend the current classic way of tagging with OSM relations, which define turn restrictions and traffic light information. As a proof of concept a plugin for the popular OSM editor JOSM is shown as well as a conversion implementation of a complex intersection from OSM to SUMO is presented.