[Talk-us] Forest Routes

[Martijn van Exel]

On Wed, 28 Nov 2018 02:07:45 -0800
Minh Nguyen <minh at nguyen.cincinnati.oh.us> wrote:

> On 2018-11-28 01:57, Minh Nguyen wrote:
> > On 2018-11-20 08:57, Martijn van Exel wrote:  
> >> When I map these roads I include the FS number (just the number)
> >> as a ref, since that is how they are signposted in the field.   
> > 
> > I think the ref tag on the ways should have a prefix and not just 
> > consist of a bare number. Otherwise, it's just as ambiguous for
> > data consumers as the (123) refs all over New Jersey, since the
> > U.S. doesn't have a highway tag that corresponds one-for-one with
> > forest routes.  
> 
> (I hit send too soon.) Lots of shields show only the number and no 
> prefix, such as the U.S. Route shield, but we still use the "US"
> prefix anyways.
> 
> Data consumers really should be using route relations instead of ref 
> tags on ways whenever possible. Some ambiguity is unavoidable on way 
> refs, which IMO should reflect what's on plain-text signage or in 
> publications. If one thinks of the way refs as a compatibility shim, 
> then "FS" doesn't seem unreasonable as a prefix.

I think you are right. It would be good if we can arrive at a common
prefix and document it on the wiki. 'FS' makes sense. Perhaps even a new
page dedicated to roads that are maintained directly by federal agencies
(NPS, USDA, others?) would make sense. I'd be happy to help set it up.

Martijn