A system to develop topographical data in a mapping database is herein presented. The system includes: a memory including one or more executable instructions and the mapping database; a controller configured to read and execute the one or more executable instructions; a sensor configured to determine when the vehicle encounters a road surface feature and subsequently send a surface-variation signal including a topographic coordinate update corresponding to the road surface feature. The executable instructions enable the controller to: receive the surface-variation signal from the sensor; and collaborate with the mapping database to develop the topographical data with the topographic coordinate update.