Today I found out that it’s actually a lot easier to contribute to Open Street Map than I thought. There are some serious gaps in house addresses in my area and I was painstakingly using the built in browser editor in the browser.
But, you can use a FOSS app (available on fdroid) called StreetComplete that makes it a lot easier to help out filling in the gaps in your local map data.
It’s really fun - kind of like Pokémon Go but you are actually making an impact 😁
I’m addicted to Streetcomplete. I’m 20.000+ edits in. I make about 100 with ease on my commute to work.
Does anyone know of OSM street view equivalents like KartaView allow for campus street view? It seems like it’s only available for roads you can access with a car.
If you’re asking about more imagery coverage, Mapillary has a lot. The wiki has a list of street-level imagery articles.
OpenStreetMap is more about the map database, so any imagery association tends to be loose, and is more for use as a useable source for ground truth.
Wow, cartography is a whole thing I have never really taken a look at. This is super cool, thanks for the share! I don’t like that Mapillary is owned by Facebook/Meta :/
I will take a look at the resources you have sent though!
There is a “road” near my house in OSM that does not exist and OSM is always trying to route me though it, which is very annoying. Is there any way to mark them for removal? StreetComplete doesn’t seem to have that capability.
You could use the editor on the website which although messy, would work fine for removing a road on mobile. Or you can use an app like Vespucci which is more advanced, but it also has a bit more of a learning curve. Or you can create a note like others have recommended but depending on the activity in the area might not be seen for a while.
Wow you’re right! I didn’t know they have an online editor. I thought the app is the only way to submit changes. I’m able to delete the section of the road that don’t actually exist in my area, let’s see if the changes will be accepted. Thanks!
Yep, StreetComplete is one of the many editors for OpenStreetMap! Just to name a few:
Mobile (Android & iOS Mixed):
- Vespucci.
- EveryDoor
- Go Map!!
Desktop:
- iD (the online editor on the website)
- RapiD
- JOSM
- Level0
And many more! There’s a list on the OpenStreetMap wiki.
Is there an open street map based map app that shows live traffic? I’m trying to get my grandfather to switch to open source, and he says it’s the one feature he needs.
MagicEarth has got a live traffic layer for you.
If it is free as in beer, but not as in freedom, and is developed by a company, then what is their business model?
This is what they’ve put on their FAQ
Magic Earth is free for all our end-users but we also have a paid Magic Earth SDK for business partners. For instance Selectric.de (a supplier for navigation solutions for ambulances and fire trucks), Smarter AI (developing ADAS systems) or Absolute Cycling (using the platform on bicycles). For more info on the SDK, you can check magiclane.com.
It seems like a very helpful service. I don’t use cell data which means no GPS to contribute to it. I only use apps through wi-fi exclusively.
Pretty sure you can download the maps ahead of time, GPS doesn’t require data, then upload the fixes when you get home.
does it need cell-data? why? that surprises me; but then again maybe not . . .
It does not.
If you’d like to be able to search for house addresses in osmand+ you can download these map packs… A total life saver…
