Embodiments include apparatus and methods for generating a localization geometry or occupancy grid for a geographic location. Point cloud that describes a vicinity of a pathway is collected by a distance sensor and describing a vicinity of the pathway. The point cloud data is reduced or filtered to a predetermined volume with respect to the roadway. The remaining point cloud data is projected onto a two-dimensional plane including at least one pixel formation. A volumetric grid is defined according to the at least one pixel formation, and a voxel occupancy for each of a voxels forming the volumetric grid is determined. The arrangement of the voxel occupancies or a sequence of data describing the voxel occupancies is a localization geometry that describes the geographic location of the pathway.