[Talk-ca] New project update

[John Whelan]

Ellefsen, Bjenk (STATCAN) wrote:
> 1. precise location (coordinates, polygon)
> 2. footprint, size
> 3. year of construction
> 4. activities (use)
> 5. number of floors above ground
> 6. address (number, street, postal code)

I think the first step might be to identify which tags are either in map 
features or tag info that align with the data you'd like to collect.

Then scan a sample of the data base to see how many are there.  There 
maybe other tags that have the information.  That needs to be untangled.

Remember you're after standard ways of doing things and that 
traditionally OSM has not been heavily standarised.  Which has been one 
of its strengths.

Most mapping in OSM is done for a purpose, adding cycle paths etc.

Maintaining store names in malls is problematic for us currently.  The 
turnover is too high.

The year of construction is difficult to determine from a visual 
inspection which is how OSM tends to operate.  The days of the year of 
construction of the building being set in stone over the front door seem 
to have vanished.

Post Code is especially difficult, the Post Office clings to the data.

Street names can be interesting, in Ottawa about twenty plus change 
their name each year by the city or are found to have the wrong name on 
them.  So no one has a open definitive set.  City of Ottawa data isn't 
open enough for us.

You may need to resort to Tiles which means something along the lines of 
HOT and finding volunteers to do this.  They will need very clear 
instructions.

Building footprint when done with the building tool in JOSM is usually 
fairly good but we have found new mappers using iD can be problematical 
in HOT mapping.

Cheerio John