[OSM-newbies] service:alley or highway:residential?

[James Ewen]

On Sat, Mar 14, 2009 at 5:51 PM, Adrian <osmmail at ajw.me.uk> wrote:
>> what are the correct tags for a road that
>> - is rather small (it's not large enough to fit two cars aside)
>> - it's it's asphalted
>> - is in the middle of a residential zone
>> - doesn't have an exit
>> - does not provide access to public buildings, but to private houses?
>
> What you describe is clearly highway=residential.

Okay, have a look at this area...

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.544333,-113.293875&spn=0.00175,0.004828&t=h&z=18

The access road in this complex
-is rather small, but can allow two vehicles to pass
-is covered in asphalt
-is in the middle of a residential zone
-has limited access via a single entrance/exit
-does not provide access to public buildings, but to private houses.

This road is clearly NOT part of the public residential road network.
This access road network is owned and maintained by the housing
cooperative. Any maintenance and upkeep of this road network is the
responsibility of the homeowner's through the condo association. I
would not tag this road network as highway:residential.

If I were to tag this roadway, I would tag it highway:service, as the
description matches closer than highway:residential

*****
Generally for access to a building, motorway service station, beach,
campsite, industrial estate, business park, etc.. This is also
commonly used for access to parking and trash collection. Sometimes
called an alley, particularly in the US.

Use with service=*, e.g. service=parking_aisle to mark a service way
inside a amenity=parking
*****

I would also use a sub-tag of service:driveway, since this road
network is specifically designed to provide access to the houses in
this complex, and the parking spaces within the attached garages.

*****
A driveway is a service road leading to a residence or business,
usually with private access. Use with highway=service
*****

James
VE6SRV