OpenStreetMap
Slightly annoyed today when OSM navigation landed me at a path that was blocked by an official barrier for roadworks further on. I was a bit late for my goal, so I didn’t stop to take a photo, but I have just edited the path, so I hope nobody else gets sent that way in future.
Discussion
Comment from -karlos- on 29 January 2024 at 07:06
OSM, unlike Google does not habdle actual roadwork. Only >6 month are intendet.
An App could use oher souces to provide daily accuracy. But I don‘t expect there is an API somewere for all the roadworks or even accidents and yams.
Comment from JeremyCherfas on 29 January 2024 at 09:03
I understand that, which is why I edited the path to show that it is no longer accessible.
Is that the wrong thing to do?
Comment from -karlos- on 29 January 2024 at 09:33
As mentioned, if the accrss is interrupted for at last / about 6 month or vorever, it is ok.
Comment from Xvtn on 30 January 2024 at 17:09
To clarify a little on Karlos’s comments, OpenStreetMap data can take a little while to trickle down to various data consumers depending on how things are set up. So if, for example, a smartphone map app only updates their data every 2 months, an access restriction tag that’s only in the main OSM database for 2 days might end up being shown in the app for months, if the timing is just right. (Does that make sense…?)
For that reason, some people recommend that if a change is temporary (like a road closing for construction or a business operating at a temporary alternate location), it maybe shouldn’t be added to OSM. In my opinion, since most data consumers I’m aware of update at least every month or so, anything not lasting at least a couple weeks should be omitted.
So the question here is, what’s your estimate for how long the trail will be blocked? However, since you’ve already changed it, I’d personally suggest you leave it as is, and update it to allow access again when that’s changed in reality.
Hope that makes sense. To anyone - let me know if I’m misunderstanding or if you disagree!!
Comment from JeremyCherfas on 31 January 2024 at 11:40
Totally makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.
I am pretty sure it will be closed for at least six months, but I have made a note to check it in two months.