Book Image

OpenStreetMap

Book Image

OpenStreetMap

Overview of this book

Imagine being able to create accurate maps that look how you want them to, and use them on the Web or in print, for free. OpenStreetMap allows exactly that, with no restrictions on how or where you use your maps. OpenStreetMap is perfect for businesses that want to include maps on their website or in publications without paying high fees. With this book in hand you have the power to make, alter, and use this geographical data in a collaborative way from anywhere on the Earth.OpenStreetMap was started because most maps you think of as free actually have legal or technical restrictions on their use, holding back people from using them in creative, productive, or unexpected ways. This book will allow you to take control of your own maps and use them smoothly. This book introduces the reader to the OpenStreetMap project and shows you how to participate in the project, and make use of the data it provides. No prior knowledge of the project is assumed, and technical details are kept to a minimum.In this book, you'll learn how easy it is to add your neighborhood to OpenStreetMap using inexpensive GPS equipment, or even no GPS at all. You'll find out how to communicate with other mappers working in the same area, and where to find more information about how to map the world around you.Once you have your area mapped, you'll learn how to turn this information into maps, whether for use in print or online, large or small, and with the details you want shown. The book describes several rendering methods, each suited to different types of map, and takes you through a tutorial on each one.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
OpenStreetMap
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
Preface
4
How OpenStreetMap Records Geographical Features
Index

Adding your traces to OpenStreetMap


Once you have your traces in GPX format, you can upload them to openstreetmap.org. Whether you need to upload your traces depends on which editing method you prefer; we'll cover editing in Chapter 5. If you want to use the online editor, Potlatch, you need to upload your traces. If you use a desktop editor such as JOSM or Merkaator, you don't need to upload your traces to use them, but it's still useful to OpenStreetMap as a project if you do.

It's hoped that in the future, the traces can be put to other uses, including automatically generating average speeds for roads, detecting one-way streets and the layout of junctions. This automatic processing isn't yet in place, but the more the data it has to work with (once it's working), the better.

Some editors and applications support direct upload of traces, but the simplest way of adding your traces to OpenStreetMap is via the website. The upload form is at the top of the list of your traces. To find this...