Martijn van Exel wrote: > I would love to see these routes in OSM, and I think it's a shame > that there is such an ongoing fuss about it.
May I gently offer some experience from n years of both mapping and developing National Cycle Network routes in the UK. (As well as being an OSMer I'm a regional group co-ordinator for Sustrans, the organisation that looks after and develops the NCN.) Generally in the UK we only map proposed NCN routes when a) we have some personal knowledge of them, and b) the route has a serious likelihood of being signposted in the next couple of years For example, I was happy to map NCN 442, our new route across the Cotswolds, as "proposed" because I knew very well that it was likely to open before long - not least because largely I identified the alignment and bid for the funding for it! And indeed it's now signposted and open: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/news/prime-minister-opens-new-section-national-cycle-network However, there are other proposed routes in the local area where there is no particular action underway at present to find funding or to fix issues identified with the route. For example, NCN 536 is a proposed route from Banbury (part of my patch) to Northampton, but: no funding has been identified, some physical works will be required before it can open, and the "flow" isn't currently deemed a priority. It's very unlikely indeed to open in the next two years, and consequently it isn't mapped on OSM. On occasion, mapping a proposed route can be actively dangerous and misleading. Sometimes a proposed NCN route will follow a busy road or rough terrain, or cross private land; fixing this will be one of the "to-dos" before the route can be opened. Showing it on a map, even as a dotted line, can encourage cyclists to venture into unsuitable conditions. (Yes, in theory "caveat emptor", but I have encountered people who have been misled by such proposed routes showing on a map.) Obviously you'll make your own decisions, but I'd encourage you to follow similar principles for the USBRS project. Or in summary: OSM can be a little way ahead of reality... but not too far ahead. cheers Richard (making a rare break from my not-posting-on-mailing-lists rule) -- View this message in context: http://gis.19327.n5.nabble.com/USBRS-WikiProject-seeks-volunteer-mappers-tp5807660p5807703.html Sent from the USA mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ Talk-us mailing list Talk-us@openstreetmap.org https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us