[Talk-ca] Fwd: Vancouver Island hiking trails

[Frank Steggink]

Forwarding to talk-ca.

More info about hiking trail classifications: 
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:sac_scale


Frank Steggink wrote:
> Hello Alan,
>
> I've converted your shape file to OSM. The result has been attached to 
> this e-mail. For the reprojection I have created a PRJ file (based on 
> the XML file which was provided by you). The OSM file can be opened an 
> eventually uploaded in JOSM. With JOSM it is also easy to download 
> data from the given area. In case you need help with JOSM, don't 
> hesitate to drop an e-mail on talk-ca.
>
> For the classification I used a preset which was in JOSM, which 
> automatically designates the ways as highway=path; sac_scale=hiking. 
> Furthermore I added the tags source=survey and attribution="Alan 
> Philip". Of course each way (and even each node) can be modified 
> individually, so the proper tags can be attached to it.
>
> Also see the embedded comments below.
>
>> This is a fascinating project, and in many ways is a much larger version
>> of what I have been doing in my own community, ie. creating my own map
>> of the area using all available data, including that which I gather
>> myself. As a result I have been able to provide base maps for projects
>> like a Green Map and a food security map.
>>   
> I'm glad you like it. The idea to build a map of the scale like OSM 
> together is indeed a fascinating project.
>> My biggest concern with a project like this is data quality. I have seen
>> far too many maps that are inaccurate to the point of being useless if
>> not dangerous. What safeguards are in place to prevent that, if any? Is
>> more time spent editing poor data than in creating good data?
>>   
> As you know, OSM is a community project. Nearly all people are 
> well-intended, but everyone has different standards, and/or different 
> skills. So, when you encounter data which you know is incorrect or 
> inaccurate, you're encouraged to improve it. If the old data is 
> usable, then it's generally better to reuse it, or if it is really 
> worthless, replacement is the best option. This needs to be determined 
> for each individual case. Because of the nature of this project, very 
> high standards aren't enforceable.
>> Another concern, particularly for trail mapping, is privacy issues.
>> Often trails pass through private property, and the owners are usually
>> fine with that for locals, but do not want the trails on a map because
>> that will attract outsiders.
>>   
> It is possible to tag access restrictions, like "access=private" or 
> "access=destination". An example, in combination with trails, can be 
> found here: http://osm.org/go/cKeOWokL--  . The brown line indicates 
> the trail (encoded as highway=track), and the pink line means 
> "access=private".
>> I attach a sample shp file of the major public trails in the Highlands,
>> a rural municipality where I used to live. That file does not show
>> categories as yet, but I do have my own set which can easily be added
>> once I have rationalised them with OSM. There are also numerous smaller
>> trails which can be added too. The question is how detailed should the
>> OSM map be.
>>   
> Regarding detail: as detailed as possible :) Of course there are 
> certain limitation, but the more detailed the data is, the more useful 
> it is. I have converted the file to OSM format, and I noticed it is 
> really detailed. Many parts are already in OSM recently, even over the 
> past weekend, but they are less detailed. In some cases there are 
> deviations, but for me it is impossible to judge what version is 
> correct. Nearly everywhere the deviations are less than 50m, and I 
> wonder if it would be possible to get this more accurate in a 
> hilly/mountainous and forested area, when you're only using GPS.
>
> Before entering the data in OSM, I would recommend to contact the 
> persons who have added the other trails, and ask them if they agree, 
> and what their impression is of the accuracy of their data. The users 
> are james_hiebert [1] and jabula [2]. They can be reached when you 
> register at the OSM site, and send them a message (through their 
> profiles). Of course this doesn't need to be done all the time, but a 
> large amount of tracks has already been added by them.
>> I look forward to contributing what I can to this project. Maps are a
>> valuable visual form of knowledge, and knowledge is power.
>>   
> Oh yes, definitely true. No wonder why in the past, and even presently 
> by oppressive regimes, maps are considered top secret material. 
> Anyways, nearly everyone can benefit from them, and with many people 
> we know much more than each of us can possibly know alone.
>> I have not cc'ed this to Talk-ca because I do not know what their policy
>> is on attachments.
>>   
> In most cases attachments to e-mail lists are considered not-done. If 
> you have webspace of your own, you can put it there, and provide a 
> link to it. Otherwise you might want to ask someone else, or request 
> an account at Mediafire or a similar provider.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank
>
> [1] http://www.openstreetmap.org/user/james_hiebert
> [2] http://www.openstreetmap.org/user/jabula
>