[OSM-talk] golf course marking

[Richard Fairhurst]

Robin Paulson wrote:

> yes, it is a strange choice. it leads to irrationalities like
> highway=footway and highway=cycleway
> why we're not using right_of_way=motorway|primary|cycleway|footway|
> and so on, i don't know

Generally "right of way" is a legal term. It defines a way by the class 
of user who has legal permission to use it.

By and large, when we map roads, we're making observations as to what's 
on the ground. We're not trawling through statutory instruments to find 
the legal status of a particular road or footpath. So whatever the 
failings of 'highway', 'right of way' would imply a legal status that 
we simply don't know.

(Incidentally, the term 'highway' isn't really UK-centric - it's very 
rarely used over here except in road-technical circles, e.g. Highways 
Agency, highway engineer. Everyone else calls it a 'road' - e.g. 
railway enthusiasts dismissively refer to the Department for Transport 
as the Department for Roads. The generic 'highway' is much more US 
usage.)

cheers
Richard