Method for mapping a route section

A method for mapping a route section using (a) a central mapping server that maintains a digital map subdivided by bounding boxes into a plurality of areas and that is equipped with a server-side communication interface and (b) a plurality of vehicles of a vehicle fleet, each of the vehicles of the vehicle fleet being equipped with at least one sensor configured to detect mapping data and a vehicle-side communication interface, wherein the server-side communication interface and the vehicle-side communication interface being configured to exchange data, the method comprising:

• determining by the mapping server that the digital map requires an update in one of the plurality of areas;
• in response to the determination, transmitting, by the mapping server, a respective mapping request to each of a subset of the vehicles of the vehicle fleet that are at the one of the plurality of areas requesting respective mapping data detected by the at least one sensor of the respective vehicle in the area,
• transmitting, by a first one of the vehicles of the subset and to the mapping server and due to the respective mapping request from the mapping server, respective mapping data recorded by the first one of the vehicles of the subset while in the one of the plurality of areas in response to the first one of the vehicles of the subset exiting from the area;
• in response to the mapping server receiving the mapping data transmitted by the first one of the vehicles of the subset, transmitting, by the mapping server and to a second one of the vehicles of the subset that has not yet exited from the area, a request revocation instructing the second one of the vehicles of the subset not to transmit to the mapping server mapping data recorded by the second one of the vehicles of the subset in association with the respective mapping request previously transmitted by the mapping server to the second one of the vehicles of the subset;
• and
• using, by the mapping server, the mapping data transmitted by the first one of the vehicles of the subset during the mapping of the route section;
• wherein each of the vehicles of the subset is configured to hold off transmission of mapping data to the mapping server in response to the respective mapping requests until after the respective vehicle has left the area.