OpenStreetMap
Hi. Just getting started. There isn't much mapped for my rural area in the U.S. so I have a lot of work ahead of me. :D
I have read a little about drawing in municipal parks, but it's still not clear to me. Can someone explain how an "area" is drawn? Do I just draw a "way" and close it off? How is it tagged, then?
Second question: The Census' TIGER files are used to create roads (ways) for my area. Most of these roads are tagged as "residential" even when they are rural roads. Is it appropriate to update the tags on these to a more fitting tag (such as tertiary or tracks where appropriate)? Is there anything else I need to do to indicate that I have updated these TIGER files?
Thanks!
Discussion
Comment from lyx on 16 July 2010 at 15:52
You're right, an "area" is just a "closed way". When it comes to tagging, that depends on what it is.
Have a look at osm.wiki/Map_Features which lists most commonly used (and many less commonly used) tags.
For reviewing TIGER data you should check out osm.wiki/TIGER_fixup which describes common problems with TIGER data and how to fix them. As soon as you have reviewed and corrected an imported way you should delete the tiger:reviewed=no tag to indicate that this way has been checked.
Comment from 42429 on 16 July 2010 at 18:35
Is it appropriate to update the tags on these to a more fitting tag (such as tertiary or tracks where appropriate)?
Yes, of course! You should do that!
Rural roads are usually classified as highway=unclassified unless they have a significant importance connecting villages. highway=tertiary is intended for collector roads which have a high local importance.
Functional road classification is a good indicator whether a road deserves a higher classification or not:
http://www.dot.nd.gov/road-map/functional-class/cmc%20book%20pdf/stutsman_sheet2.pdf
Alleys and driveways to single homes are classified as highway=service. Don't forget to add access=private if trespassing is prohibited ;-)
Comment from honeybee on 16 July 2010 at 18:47
Thank you both for such helpful answers. What a wonderful source of information you found for me, FK270673! The TIGER_fixup page is also extremely helpful, lyx. I appreciate all the help as all this new information is overwhelming at first. I am looking forward to working on the OpenStreetMap project!