OpenStreetMap
Looking over my local area for the first time in a while and wondering what has been going on over the last couple of months. Looks like mappers are trying to improve something - perhaps the rendering or making things easier for routing engines or maybe even remapping areas that might soon be lost? In doing so a lot of subtle (and in some cases not so subtle) detail is being thrown away. Here’s a single example:
osm.org/?lat=51.247696&lon=-0.579697&zoom=18&layers=M
What happened to the dedicated right-turn bus lane that enters this junction from the west? It may not be on the aerial imagery but it’s most definitely there on the ground and was in the map until recently. Why can you no-longer turn right when coming in from the north? The new way connectivity has inadvertently stopped this. Don’t get me started on the road names and refs.
It’s going to take some time to put things back properly.
Last time I breathed on this junction, it was navigable and represented what was actually on the ground. A lot of activity has been going on but I’m almost afraid to look much further…
Discussion
Comment from chriscf on 26 май 2012 сәгать 14:35
Aargh! My eyes! What’s going on there? Separated ways that aren’t separate, buildings with nodes in them, buildings that don’t match the imagery, oh my. People who create ways such as this should probably be taken out and sh^H^H re-educated.
Comment from Mezzanine on 26 май 2012 сәгать 17:29
Here’s a start. At least we have some rational connectivity back:
osm.org/browse/changeset/11708472
Comment from chriscf on 27 май 2012 сәгать 01:20
It’s a start, but there’s still a lot of nonsense on the western approach. Unless the area has been substantially reworked, I find it hard to believe the carriageway physically separates into four parts. Separate ways for lanes has long been considered bad form.
Comment from Mezzanine on 27 май 2012 сәгать 09:10
I think the west approach does physically separate into four at the junction but not as far back as the separation point; I’d have to take another look to be absolutely sure.
There are 6 lanes entering from the west;
The left lane could peel off just before the junction but should IMHO remain distinct as the flow-control for it is different than straight-ahead. The bus lane and general right turn should remain distinct due to different legal access and flow control. There is also some physical separation of this lot.
In general, I agree about physical separation - the northern approach was originally a single two-way but has been turned into two one-ways which is a bit of a nonsense.
Comment from chriscf on 27 май 2012 сәгать 15:24
IMO the bus lane would only need to be separate if it can make some movement that general traffic can’t, and it would appear that all traffic can turn right there.