OpenStreetMap proven to be a highly accurate map in top US cities
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Re: OpenStreetMap proven to be a highly accurate map in top US cities
#2Lyft study shows crucial OpenStreetMap road attributes are fresh and high quality in 30 North American cities, as compared to groundtruth. Blog post and paper detail the process, methodology, and results.
Re: OpenStreetMap proven to be a highly accurate map in top US cities
#3I'd be really interested in a comparison to other mapping providers. 95% doesn't sound that great in the abstract, but perhaps that's better than the competition?
Re: OpenStreetMap proven to be a highly accurate map in top US cities
#4Good that OSM is accurate in cities as well, because in hiking, skiing, or even some ferry routes, OSM simply wins because that's often the only mapping provider to even have _any_ data. Some of my first hand experiences:
- French GR-20 routes. Google maps are laughably empty, while OSM has you covered with almost the same information as the hiking maps you can buy on the trail.
- Anapurna - similar to GR-20 situation. This route gets changed often due to landslides, but there is always some person doing a great job updating information not too late after.
- Volcanoes - OSM maps often contain camping grounds, water sources, etc. This is something I actively contribute too. The level of detail is amazing. Some guides in fact lose potential clients because of this.
OSM is a wonderful feat by all its contributors, and isn't appreciated as much as it deserves.
Re: OpenStreetMap proven to be a highly accurate map in top US cities
#5What is the barrier to adding more data? Do they need funds to purchase it from satellite providers?
Re: OpenStreetMap proven to be a highly accurate map in top US cities
#6Good that OSM is accurate in cities as well, because in hiking, skiing, or even some ferry routes, OSM simply wins because that's often the only mapping provider to even have _any_ data. Some of my first hand experiences: - French GR-20 routes. Google maps are laughably empty, while OSM has you covered with almost the same information as the hiking maps you can buy on the trail. - Anapurna - similar to GR-20 situatio…
The other great mapping resource is CalTopo (https://caltopo.com). Outside did an article on how CalTopo is used by people who work and play outside: https://www.outsideonline.com/2229756/your-navigation-outdat...
Re: OpenStreetMap proven to be a highly accurate map in top US cities
#7I used OSM as turn-by turn loaded into my Garmin [1] for my three year drive around Africa, and then to cross North America six times in 2019.
I have been utterly staggered how accurate and complete it is in every conceivable scenario - dirt street villages in Sudan and Mali, capital cities in same, capital cities in South Africa and all over the US and Canada.
I also used it to drive down through Southern Europe, to cross parts of the Sahara and Namib deserts and even in the mighty Congo it had more detail and info than any other mapping source I've ever seen.
My hat is off to the OSM team.
[1] loading OSM into a Garmin is a nice easy way to get free routable maps on your dashboard for the entire world - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZRQrG6bC3k
Re: OpenStreetMap proven to be a highly accurate map in top US cities
#8Apparently, I'm not in the 30 cities that are accurate.
Used Magic Earth on my phone which is based on OSM. The very first address I input was off by about a mile. Didn't exactly inspire a lot of confidence.
Re: OpenStreetMap proven to be a highly accurate map in top US cities
#9Good that OSM is accurate in cities as well, because in hiking, skiing, or even some ferry routes, OSM simply wins because that's often the only mapping provider to even have _any_ data. Some of my first hand experiences: - French GR-20 routes. Google maps are laughably empty, while OSM has you covered with almost the same information as the hiking maps you can buy on the trail. - Anapurna - similar to GR-20 situatio…
OSM isn't perfect--especially on trails that aren't official in any way. (Although there are some totally informal trails literally out my door that are far better than you could reasonably expect. And the missing sections are probably on private land which is one reason I haven't filled them in.) But Google seems to have pretty much zero interest in mapping even popular official trails in many cases.
Re: OpenStreetMap proven to be a highly accurate map in top US cities
#10Except my street. No matter how many times I email Lyft support, it always sends them the wrong place. Most Lyft drivers don't read the directions on pickup either explaining the problem.
/sigh #FirstWorldProblems