Mapping Guide

Mapping Guide⚓︎

This section covers how to map pedestrian infrastructure for an OpenSidewalks project in the OSM US Tasking Manager.

Getting Started⚓︎

1. Log In to the Tasking Manager⚓︎

1. Create an OpenStreetMap account at openstreetmap.org if you don't already have one.
2. Log in to the OSM US Tasking Manager at tasks.openstreetmap.us using your OSM account.

3. Join the OpenSidewalks Mappers Team by opening Team #27 and selecting Join team at the bottom right.

   

4. Navigate to the project you'd like to contribute to.

Example: #1083: Olympia, WA, US: Pedestrian Infrastructure | #OpenSidewalks

2. Select a Task⚓︎

1. Select Contribute on the bottom right of the project page
2. Choose an available task (any white tile on the map)
3. Select "Rapid" (recommended; used in examples) or "iD" as your Editor, at the bottom center of the page
4. Select Map selected task to open the web-based editor

Working in the Editor⚓︎

You'll find the editor embedded on the left and task information on the right. The magenta boundary indicates your task area.

Before you start mapping, a few editor settings changes will help you see the right data and map more accurately.

Map Data Panel⚓︎

The Map Data panel controls which OpenStreetMap features are displayed on the map in the editor.

For pedestrian infrastructure mapping, enable only these layers in the Filters section:

• Traffic Roads — Shows major roads that crossings must connect to
• Service Roads — Shows driveways and alleys where sidewalks may intersect
• Paths — Shows any previously mapped sidewalks, crossings, or other paths
• Other Features — Shows miscellaneous features including existing kerb nodes

Disable Buildings, Landuse Features, Power Features, and other unrelated layers to reduce visual clutter and prevent accidental connections.

Street-Level Imagery⚓︎

Street-level imagery is useful for confirming features that are hard to determine from aerial imagery alone — particularly curb types and the presence of tactile paving.

In the Map Data panel, scroll down to Photo Overlays and enable Bing Streetside or Mapillary. This overlays coverage markers on the map; click one to open an adjustable inline street-level viewer alongside the aerial view.

Choosing a Background Imagery Source⚓︎

The default background imagery in most locations is Bing Maps Aerial. If the imagery is unclear in your task area, open the Background panel (stacked layers icon in the right toolbar) and try switching to Mapbox Satellite, Esri World Imagery, or another source. If present, local County Orthoimagery is often relatively recent and high-quality.

In the image comparison slider above, the same intersection is shown with Bing Maps Aerial (left) and Mapbox Satellite (right). Different sources vary in resolution, color balance, and recency — try a few to find the clearest view of sidewalk paths and curb locations in your task area.

Adjusting for Imagery Offset⚓︎

Different aerial imagery layers are often shifted slightly from one to another, causing existing mapped features to appear misaligned with the background. If roads or previously mapped sidewalks don't line up with the imagery, use the Imagery Offset control at the bottom of the Background panel to nudge the image into alignment.

What to Map⚓︎

We're focusing on mapping the pedestrian network: sidewalks, crossings, and curbs. These features enable routing applications like AccessMap to provide accurate, accessibility-aware pedestrian directions.

Priority Order⚓︎

1. Crossings - Map these first to anchor the network at intersections

   1a. Curbs - Mark curb types at crossing endpoints

2. Sidewalks - Add in sidewalk centerlines connecting intersections

   2b. Connectors - Link sidewalks to curbs!

How to Map Crossings⚓︎

Crossings are paths pedestrians traverse to cross streets.

1. Select the Line tool (Keyboard shortcut: 2)
2. Click at one edge of the street (curb location)
3. Click where your line meets the road centerline (this connects to the road network)
4. Double-click at the opposite curb to finish

Tagging Crossing Ways⚓︎

Search for one of these presets in the Rapid Editor:

Tagging Crossing Nodes⚓︎

The middle point where the crossing intersects the roadway should be tagged:

• highway=crossing
• crossing:markings=yes or crossing:markings=no

Additional Crossing Tags⚓︎

If you'd like to add additional detail that is helpful for accessibility-focused routing:

How to Map Curbs⚓︎

Curbs are points at the edge of the street where crossings begin and end.

The endpoints of your crossing line are the curb nodes: select each endpoint and classify them as curbs.

Tagging Curb Nodes⚓︎

Select a curb point and use the search panel to find and apply the correct preset.

Remember: use street-level imagery to help verify the curb type where the aerial view is unclear. Enable Bing Streetside or Mapillary under Photo Overlays in the Map Data panel, then click a coverage marker near the crossing to open the street-level viewer.

Additional Curb Tags⚓︎

How to Map Sidewalks⚓︎

Sidewalks are pedestrian paths along streets.

1. Select the Line (2) tool
2. Draw a line along the center of the sidewalk
3. Search for "Sidewalk" and select the preset

Tagging Sidewalk Ways⚓︎

Additional Sidewalk Tags⚓︎

Important Rules⚓︎

• Draw sidewalks down the center of the path
• Connect sidewalks to service roads (driveways, alleys) where they intersect by adding a node ("point") that both ways ("lines") share

How to Map Connectors⚓︎

Optionally, the short sidewalk connector segments between sidewalk centerlines and curb nodes can be tagged with crossing_link=yes to help identify these features, which often have different properties such as a notable incline or different surface material.

1. Select the Line (2) tool
2. Click on a curb node (at the end of a crossing)
3. Draw a line to the sidewalk centerline
4. Double-click on the sidewalk to connect
5. Search for "Sidewalk" and select the preset
6. Add the crossing_link=yes tag

Tagging Connector Ways⚓︎

Tagging Quick Reference⚓︎

Essentials⚓︎

Details⚓︎

Saving Your Work⚓︎

1. Click Save in the Rapid Editor (top right)

2. The changeset comment, sources, and hashtags should be automatically filled out with the project-specific text — verify that it looks correct before uploading.

   

3. Click Upload

4. In the Tasking Manager panel on the right, mark the task status by answering: "Is this task completely mapped?"
   • Select Yes if you finished adding all of the essentials in the entire task area indicated by the magenta border
   • Select No if more mapping in this task area is needed.
5. Enter a Comment (optional) that describes your edits or anything that might be useful for the next editor or reviewer.

6. Click Submit task

   

Tips⚓︎

• Use street-level imagery: Enable Bing Streetside or Mapillary under Photo Overlays in the Map Data panel to view street-level photos alongside the aerial view. This is especially useful for confirming curb types and tactile paving. See Working in the Editor for setup details.
• When in doubt, don't guess! It's better to not include a detail (such as a curb type) when you aren't confident about it - this allows on-the-ground surveyors to add the missing data and prevents routing applications from suggesting a route that isn't actually accessible.
• Connect to roads: Ensure crossing midpoints share a node (point) with the road they cross!
• Check existing features: Some areas may already have partial mapping - verify the existing data and update it as necessary.

What's next?⚓︎

We encourage you to check back and continue contributing another time! And, if you're an experienced mapper and want to help review and improve others' work, check out the Validation Guide! Thank you!