OpenStreetMap
Useless data that only clutters the map and often geometrically wrong
Posted by Little Brother on 28 January 2019 in English.Have a look at this:
It is a sport=climbing_adventure park. Multiple contributors have mapped the path through the trees which are probably at different levels and go above/below the same path; i.e. the contributors have created crossing ways which are not acceptable in OSM unless you assign different levels to the crossing sectors.
Such errors are all over the world in theme parks and swimming chutes, etc. Armchair mappers spend a lot of time correcting errors but this error cannot be rectified. It requires local knowledge to do so.
Now I come to my grudge: Paths/tracks in theme park attractions such as water/swimming chutes, and climbing adventure parks serve no navigational purpose, are often incorrectly mapped and only clutter the map with redundant data. Rendering will also be difficult and serve no purpose at all.
Solution:
A polygon defining the site with all the relevant general attributes is generally sufficient. Roads, tracks and paths together with a single node POI defining the attraction (with any additional attribute(s)) within a site are also relevant and should be mapped.
Discussion
Comment from althio on 29 January 2019 at 14:31
Not exactly: two crossing ways without a common node is perfectly acceptable, it is the proper modelisation in OSM for anything in different levels (eg. over and under a bridge). Further attributes (like explicit levels) are interesting but they are not going to help if the underlying topology is wrong.
Comment from andy mackey on 29 January 2019 at 19:55
It may seem excessive or not even technically correct but some will find it useful. If the park is huge it will help visitors find their way around, so improve it if you can otherwise just leave it as it is.
Comment from Little Brother on 30 January 2019 at 12:01
To Andy; I agree with you as stated in my “Solution”. I am taking about swimming/rafting chutes and tree top walks, etc. in amusement parks being mapped as paths: Surely they are redundant as are the white lines on a tennis court.
To althio: You are right to mention bridges and culverts, etc.