[Talk-us] appropriate tags

[Peter Dobratz]

On Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 10:20 AM, Metcalf, Calvin (DOT)
<calvin.metcalf at state.ma.us> wrote:
> Trying to figure out how to tag certain things in Massachusetts and was
> looking for some clarification on appropriate tagging.
> 1. The things on the Mass Pike that people tend to call rest areas should be
> tagged highway=services, I think.

Yes, I've used highway=services for some rest stops on I-93 in NH:

http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=42.755158&lon=-71.220856&zoom=18&layers=M

It looks like there is now a highway=rest_area that might be more
appropriate for this particular rest stop without a refueling station.
 Of course, you should add amenity=fuel, shop=convenience and
amenity=fast_food as appropriate within the rest area.

> 2. Highway depots, salt sheds, fiber optic lines, and microwave
> transmitters I can't seem to find mention of, am I looking in the wrong
> place? should I make up a tag?

There's man_made=tower for things like mobile phone towers.  Also,
there's amenity=grit_bin, but that might not be what you mean by salt
shed.  I usually just trace the outline of things and put building=yes
on them for miscellaneous service buildings.  I add access=private for
roads behind an "authorized vehicles only" sign.

> or is there a process?

http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Proposal