[OSM-talk] Newbie question

[Richard Fairhurst]

Dean Earley wrote:

> You CAN convert a GPX file straight to OSM data but we don't recommend
> it, especially in areas where data already exists.

That said, semi-automatic derivation from GPXs is a planned feature  
for a future version of Potlatch and (if anyone were willing to code  
it) I see no reason why the same approach couldn't be adopted in JOSM  
or any other editor.

In brief: a line simplification algorithm (such as Douglas-Peucker)  
could be used to make an imported GPS track much closer to the  
unwritten OSM standards of node placement. This would appear in the  
editor as a single way marked "don't upload" (and coloured  
accordingly). The user would then split and merge the way as usual,  
adding and removing points. Finally, when confident it was ok, the  
user would remove the "don't upload" tag and the way would be sent to  
the server.

Automatic conversion from GPX is not particularly desirable in built- 
up areas but is very sensible for cross-country roads and railways.

cheers
Richard