On 2015-05-31 14:19, moltonel 3x Combo wrote:
On 30/05/2015, Martin Koppenhoefer <dieterdre...@gmail.com> wrote:
It seems that for names nobody cares to say whether they are signposted or
not (or maybe only when the sign is different from the actual name), while
for ref it seems common practice(?) to use unsigned_ref
I wouldn't trust or interpret unsigned_ref until I understand a bit
more about it.
`unsigned_ref` is used almost exclusively in the U.S. [1] for certain
kinds of route numbers that are of relatively little use to the general
public. For example, the state legislature or highway department may
have assigned a road or bridge a number for accounting purposes. In many
cases, the numbers are signposted, but only in fine print on signage or
on small signs out of view to most motorists.
This tag was most recently discussed on talk-us back in January
regarding Pennsylvania's quadrant route system. [2]
Here's a real world example of `unsigned_ref`:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/4176740362/
What you see in this photo is typical signage for Pennsylvania State
Route 443 (ref=PA 443); below it is mile marker 210. At the top of that
mile marker, in infinitesimal print, is the quadrant route designation
"SR 3009" (thus unsigned_ref=SR 3009). Most likely, the bridge itself
has a reference number carved into either end (unsigned_ref again, I guess).
Some other states and counties handle things very differently, avoiding
signposting legislative route or bridge numbers at all. But I'd be
surprised if someone has actually bothered to import such numbers in
large quantity.
It was important to avoid putting these numbers in `ref` because
renderers and routers alike would immediately present them as ordinary
route numbers and probably give laypeople a lot of confusion. (It'd be
as if someone had set `name=Londres` for London.) Other than that, the
choice of "unsigned" was just a matter of convenience and plainly a
misnomer. Something like `ref:penndot` may've been more appropriate in
examples like the one above.
[1] http://taginfo.openstreetmap.org/keys/unsigned_ref#map
[2]
https://lists.openstreetmap.org/pipermail/talk-us/2015-January/014157.html
--
m...@nguyen.cincinnati.oh.us
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