Wiki-Cartography in action
Moderators: Philip Whiteman, Andy Terry
Wiki-Cartography in action
I've always had an affection for maps but have never had the opportunity to do any useful map making before. However recently I noted that there was a gap in the OSM map data in the lanes near Hartlebury so this evening I uploaded the GPS track collected on todays audax and filled in a few of the gaps. Actually it looks like someone else has been busy during the last week or so because the only additions I made were the service road through the industrial estate and the road that we took down to the A442.
At this rate we'll soon have a complete map of the UK (and beyond) which is free to use on the GPS (instead of the fairly pricey commercial options). Being able to contribute to this project so simply is quite satisfying in a wiki-nerdy sort of way.
Before and after maps shown below.
At this rate we'll soon have a complete map of the UK (and beyond) which is free to use on the GPS (instead of the fairly pricey commercial options). Being able to contribute to this project so simply is quite satisfying in a wiki-nerdy sort of way.
Before and after maps shown below.
Eat cake before you're hungry
www.openstreetmap.org
If you notice during a ride that the road you're on is not shown on your GPS, afterwards you upload your GPS track which overlays the existing map so any gaps are easily spotted for you to fill in. Once you've figured it out it only takes a few minutes. People in poorly mapped areas go out with the specific intention of mapping their area. Around here, there are only a few gaps although you can add more info if you want. The only nearby gaps I've spotted are south of Hartlebury, near Holt Heath and south of Wyre Forest. There's also one small road missing near Haseley Knob which I'll fill in sometime if nobody else gets there first.
There are various sources of the free maps. I'm using Andy Gates's "Munky Maps" from http://www.ravenfamily.org/andyg/openstreetmap.htm which include some cycling specific stuff like bike shops and off road cycle paths etc. There's also http://www.opencyclemap.org/ which includes NCN routes and contours I think. Basically you download the latest map periodically and drop it in a folder on your GPS.
People touring in far off places overseas have commented that the OSM maps are much better than maps available locally - it's a worldwide project not just UK.
If you notice during a ride that the road you're on is not shown on your GPS, afterwards you upload your GPS track which overlays the existing map so any gaps are easily spotted for you to fill in. Once you've figured it out it only takes a few minutes. People in poorly mapped areas go out with the specific intention of mapping their area. Around here, there are only a few gaps although you can add more info if you want. The only nearby gaps I've spotted are south of Hartlebury, near Holt Heath and south of Wyre Forest. There's also one small road missing near Haseley Knob which I'll fill in sometime if nobody else gets there first.
There are various sources of the free maps. I'm using Andy Gates's "Munky Maps" from http://www.ravenfamily.org/andyg/openstreetmap.htm which include some cycling specific stuff like bike shops and off road cycle paths etc. There's also http://www.opencyclemap.org/ which includes NCN routes and contours I think. Basically you download the latest map periodically and drop it in a folder on your GPS.
People touring in far off places overseas have commented that the OSM maps are much better than maps available locally - it's a worldwide project not just UK.
Eat cake before you're hungry
There's a wonderful story on BBC today about how this project helped rescue workers in Haiti by providing vastly improved maps on what was available before within a couple of days of the disaster. In that case it was done by people using hi-res satellite photos that had been made available copyright free (as opposed to people walking/cycling around with a GPS).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8517057.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8517057.stm
Eat cake before you're hungry
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- Posts: 413
- Joined: 10 Oct 2009 13:12
- Real Name: Barry Evans
- Location: Birmingham
I just e-stumbled across this:
http://www.cyclestreets.net/
Looks to be a great implementation of the Opencycle mapping system. Try it... wonderful
Well, any system that grades routes for 'Quietness' and 'Wiggliness' gets my vote
http://www.cyclestreets.net/
Looks to be a great implementation of the Opencycle mapping system. Try it... wonderful
Well, any system that grades routes for 'Quietness' and 'Wiggliness' gets my vote