OpenSteetMap (OSM)

OpenSteetMap (OSM)

OSM offers Points of Interest (POI) data which encompasses a vast collection of location-based landmarks, amenities, and facilities contributed by a global community of volunteers. These POIs encompass various categories, including schools, hospitals, parks, and transportation hubs. 

Use Cases 

  1. Identify area accessibility by analyzing nearby POIs such as highway exits and transportation.  
  2. Evaluate amenities in an area such as schools, parks, and hospitals to gauge the attractiveness of the area based on your organization's preferences.  
To find more information on the various types of POIs available in Sitewise, refer to the FAQs section.  

Methodology 

OSM employs a crowdsourced methodology, allowing individuals and organizations worldwide to contribute and edit geospatial data. Contributors use tools such as GPS devices, aerial imagery, and local knowledge to map roads, buildings, natural features, and points of interest. To maintain data quality, OSM relies on a community-driven review process where mappers validate contributions and correct errors. Its open data model encourages transparency and reusability. 

Considerations 

  1. Data from OSM is open source, meaning it is collected on a voluntary basis by individuals who want to contribute. As with any open-source data, there is a potential for inconsistencies. The data is brought into Sitewise as-is, so it’s important to use OSM in conjunction with other data sources when making decisions. 

FAQs 

How much does OSM data cost?
There is no cost associated with OSM data.  
What is the coverage for OSM data in Sitewise?
OSM data can be used for both the US and Canada in Sitewise. 
What are the common OSM layers used in Sitewise?
There are a few layers that are added to most Sitewise Pro accounts in the Points of Interest layer group such as Places of Worship, Major Sports Venues, Highway Exits, Community Centers, and Ticketed Events. In Canada, you might also see Schools, Post-Secondary, Hospitals, and Healthcare. 
However, if there is something specific that you’re looking for, Sitewise has access to many more OSM categories. Just reach out to the Sitewise Team!
Let’s review these data layers: 
|
  1. Highway Exits: This does not include much information as the data only indicates where a highway exit is located. This data helps you visually see where vehicles enter and exit major highways and freeways. 
  2. Community Centers: This includes information on the Name and Coordinates, if applicable. 
  3. Schools and Post Secondary: This includes information on the school Name and Coordinates, if applicable. 
    1. Post-Secondary: the location in this layer includes post-secondary education facilities, colleges and universities. 
    2. In the US, both NCES data and IPEDS data is used as the primary and secondary school point of interest data. 
  4. Healthcare and Hospitals: This includes information on the facility Name and Coordinates, if applicable. 
    1. Healthcare: the locations in this layer include doctor, pharmacy, hospital, and emergency locations from the OSM Health category. 
    2. Hospitals: this is a more filtered version of the Healthcare layer listed above, showing hospitals only. 
    3. In the US, the HRSA data is used as the healthcare and hospital point of interest data. 
What OSM data is available in Sitewise?
Sitewise has access to over 160 OSMs categories. These are broken down into the following groups:  
  1. Accommodation 
    1. Camping Sites, Hotels, etc. 
  2. Amenity 
    1. Library, Police Stations, etc. 
  3. Barrier 
    1. Cemetry’s, Memorial Parks, etc. 
  4. Education 
    1. Colleges, Schools, etc. 
  5. Food 
    1. Cafes, Fast Food, etc. 
  6. Health 
    1. Hospitals, Pharmacies, etc. 
  7. Land Use 
    1. Quarries, Swamps, etc. 
  8. Money 
    1. Banks, Exchanges, etc. 
  9. Places of Worship 
    1. Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, etc. 
  10. Points of Interest 
    1. Villages, Towns, Suburbs, etc. 
  11. Shop 
    1. Music stores, Convenience stores, etc. 
  12. Sports 
    1. Sports clubs, Leisure Centers, etc. 
  13. Tourism 
    1. Museums, Monuments, Zoo’s, etc. 
  14. Transportation 
    1. Airports, Bus Stops, etc. 
  15. Water 
    1. Dams, Water Tower, etc. 
For more information on these categories and the subcategories available, feel free to contact Sitewise Support! 
How do I add OSM data to Sitewise?
OSM is free open-source data and can be made available as layers in the Points of Interest layer group of any Sitewise Pro account. Sitewise can quickly add these layers into your default mapset, just reach out to the Sitewise Team and let them know what you’re looking for!  
Where can I find more information on Open Street Map data?
You can find out more about OSMs data on their website: https://www.openstreetmap.org/about  
 

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