[OSM-newbies] Fastest Driving Pattern

[Richard Weait]

On Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 3:05 PM, Karl <karl at digitalattic.net> wrote:
> What is the easiest way when collecting data in the car to get the
> biggest area in, in the least amount of time?
>
> I'm working on mapping the following area.
>
> http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=53.29474&lon=-3.73292&zoom=15&layers=B000FTF
>
> I've done a very small piece of work on the south side of the A547, if
> the whether is nice, after my visit tomorrow, I will return with my bike
> on Saturday, and collect more data.

Hi Karl,

I've found that 'fastest now' is seldom actually 'fastest over all'.
Going with a grid pattern has left me with too many missed streets and
required return trips to pick up stragglers.

Right-hand rule works well (for me, driving on the right hand side)
when combined with a strict set of boundaries.  Set a hard limit for
your survey area and never cross them.  Follow the right-hand rule
until you exhaust the area.  Check your breadcrumb trail to make sure
that you don't miss any islands that evade your right-hand rule.

I like to keep each survey boundary to an area I can cover in 20 to 30
minutes.  Then move to the next one.  Survey areas with obvious hard
boundaries work best; third residential street in from the motorway =
not so good, secondary street = better.

And never bypass a dead-end street to come back and map it later.  Get it now.

Have fun!

How are you taking notes while you drive?  Co-pilot?  voice recorder?