OpenStreetMap
The rendering of tracks seems distinctly imperfect to me -- especially if there is a footpath or bridleway on the track. To me, a track means a wide, non-paved lane, wide enough to get a vehicle down. These, in the UK, often have Public Footpaths, or bridleways (or are restricted byways) on them. Tagging combinations never seem to achieve the 'right' result, which would be a thin, but 'road like' line, having width, with the dotted footpath / bridleway designation on it. "Highway=track; foot=yes" doesn't seem right, because it won't indicate that it's a Public Footpath properly; however, "highway=footway; foot=yes" doesn't indicate that it's a track / wide path.
Discussion
Comment from Richard on 17 July 2009 at 09:03
highway=track, designation=public_footpath
Comment from memoryweaver on 17 July 2009 at 09:16
Does the designation tag actually affect the rendering? I've been following the tagging guidelines at:
osm.wiki/UK_public_rights_of_way
Comment from Richard on 17 July 2009 at 09:32
Not the default Mapnik layer, no (I don't know about other renders). But by and large you should tag reality, and either wait for the renderer to catch up, or do your own rendering - which is getting much easier. Footpath/track tagging, as you've probably noticed, is perhaps the most controversial bit of OSM tagging!
Comment from memoryweaver on 17 July 2009 at 09:43
I agree! I've been watching the 'designation' proposed tag -- it does look like it'll be generally accepted, and certainly makes sense from a UK perspective. Time to update my previous footpath entries!
Comment from Jonathan Bennett on 17 July 2009 at 13:30
Remember that the "approvals" process isn't official, and that "Any tags you like" trumps any vote.
Comment from barrieu on 17 July 2009 at 17:24
Totally agree on the controversy comment relating to tagging non-roadways. And the differences that the various renderers display the tags seems awkward.
Personally (being in the UK and specifically England and Wales) I tag "definitive" public footpaths and Bridleways as a public footpath / bridleway which comes from Potlach as highway = footway : highway = bridleway, but any other path or track as highway = path : highway = track.
It would be nice to have walled tracks fenced/unfenced tracks etc but I guess I all ready agonise enough about tagging grass/dirt, as at any particular time of year a track can fall into either or both.