Hi. A few months ago the local public transport authority started utilising OSM data to offer a service where people can type in two addresses and receive an interactive map with suggested bus routes, including the path between the addresses and the suggested bus stops. The estimated walking distance, based on the path to and from the bus stops, are used in the calculation.
However, there are some issues regarding tagging I have yet to resolve and would like your advice: 1. Sometimes streets don't have formal sidewalks (no markings on the street nor signs) but there is an "common sense expectation" that pedestrians are allowed to traverse on the edge of that street, and also cross it anywhere using caution. The maximum speed is considered low enough, but they are not technically living streets. This can cause problems for routing software since it generally doesn't have a basis to assume this behaviour is alright. 2. Same as #1, but there can be sidewalks along the street and no crossings, including unmarked ones. People are expected to cross the street wherever they need, using caution. This can cause some long walking routes if the two addresses are directly opposite each other on such a street, when the "common sense" approach would be to "just go across the street". 3. Same type of street as #2, except the sidewalk just stops a few meters before the street ends. There are no clear markings on location but there's the unwritten expectation that they are supposed to continue on the street. This is common when there's a small cul-de-sac space at the end of a residential street in which they don't widen the street at the end to allow cars to turn around, but instead they let the sidewalks end prematurely. I do agree that we shouldn't tag purely for the router so I'm not suggesting that. What I am considering is if there are already commonly accepted OSM solutions already available to tackle these issues. Or, alternatively, tags or other methods which would aid routers in making such decisions and also conform with the OSM tagging norms at the same time. With regards, Svavar Kjarrval _______________________________________________ Tagging mailing list [email protected] https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/tagging
