Introduction

This document will provide information on the various types of road classifications in OSM and how they will affect navigation. This document will also help editors understand the differing characteristics of each classification and how we determine the most appropriate classification for each road.

Prerequisites

You will need to understand how to navigate the OSM wiki to discover more information on road classifications. You will also need to know the general tags for roads to have a better understanding of how road classifications play a significant role in navigation. See the Kaart: Road Tagging Guide/sandbox.

Skill Instruction

Classifications

This describes the hierarchy or classification of roadways. Roads are classified depending on a number of factors including the volume of traffic, movement, speed, road quality, and what kind of access/connectivity the road offers. In general OSM's road classifications are based on the function of the road within the national road grid, and not only relies on their physical characteristics.

During the course of your edits you will come across different types of roads that require very specific tag key combinations. Using the most appropriate tags is important because it will enable navigation software to efficiently route drivers from high traffic roadways to low traffic destination areas such as neighborhoods, commercial zones, and industrial parks. From a city planner’s and architect’s perspective this will help them to effectively organize road types by their attributes which will then allow them to better plan for the construction of facilities and other developments. When modifying or adding a tag you should be aware that other editors may disagree with your edits. Remember to follow the country tagging guidelines(where available) or the OSM standard guidelines for classifications.

Motorways

highway=motorway
Motorway is the only international standard classification, all other road classes are relative to the country/region. This classification type is the only exception to the "based on it's function" rule described above.
Must be high-speed and of good road quality.
Must have limited access at grade-separated interchanges.
Characterized by a lack of intersection controls, such as traffic lights or stop signs.
Typically between 80-120kph (55-80mph).
Always have an extra "emergency" lane or bays.
These are commonly known as interstates in the United States.
These may or may not have toll/fees to access or exit.

highway=motorway as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Under certain circumstances there may be roads that meet most of the highway=motorway requirements, enough to not be considered a highway=trunk, especially taking into consideration the mandatory limited access condition. For these cases using the motorroad=yes tag in combination with some other major road type could be an option that may apply. A motorroad=yes although is not a very commonly used tag, is at times the best option to better describe those roads that could almost be considered a highway=motorway, but too good to be considered a highway=trunk. Tagging these is usually done by combining the motorroad=yes + highway=trunk (or other major road types).

Trunk

highway=trunk
Trunk roads are important, high performance roads that aren't classified as highway=motorway.
Directions of traffic are usually separated, but aren't always divided.
Roads without too many major restrictions to drive on (usually may be used by any type of motorized vehicles).
Access to minor roads is limited.
Speeds are usually greater than 40mph/60kph.
Can have intersection controls (traffic lights, roundabouts).
These are known as highways in the United States.

highway=trunk as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Primary

highway=primary
A Primary road is a major road linking between large towns or major routes.
The most significant road classification below trunk/motorway that lack large interchanges, on-ramps, and exits.

Typically has 2 or more lanes with good/fair road quality.

highway=primary as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Secondary

highway=secondary
A Secondary road is not part of a major route but is important in connecting major routes.
These roads often connect mid-sized towns.
In cities, these roads connect major arterial ways.
Typically has 2 or more lanes with good/fair road quality.

highway=secondary as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Tertiary

highway=tertiary
The lowest level of arterial traffic flow.
Low to moderate traffic flow.
They connect features such as smaller settlements to each other, or connect local centers to other parts of a city.
Tertiary roads accumulate traffic from minor road ways like residential and lead them to more major roads.
These are frequently used within urban areas for established bus routes and usually have commercial establishments on either sides of the road.

highway=tertiary as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Unclassified

highway=unclassified
Roadways with public access that are non-residential. Main roads within an industrial area.
They follow the path of least resistance.
Should always be connective.
Connects residential settlements together.
It should provide a shortcut. Can be described as the "better/faster" route to get to a settlement.
Should only be split sparingly when needed.
Typically long and continuous unless going through a settlement.
Clearly defined road.

highway=unclassified as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Residential

Residential roads connect people and residences. They connect local traffic within residential areas to the greater road network.

highway=residential
Typically have lower speed limits.
Can be longer, continuous roads.
Should be anchored (connected on one or both ends) to a road of the same or higher class.
Residential areas will have a group of house-like structures.
May include access to non-residential features like shops.

highway=residential as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Living Street

highway=living_street
Living streets are roads with very low speed limits and other mostly pedestrian friendly traffic rules.
Living streets give the right of way or equal rights to pedestrians over other road users.
Typically found in closed-gated residential areas.
- In many parts of the world, a highway=living_street implies certain other tags (such as lower speed limits).
Not to be a part of through traffic for routing purposes.
Not used in every country, check the country specific editing pages.

highway=living_street as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Service

Service roads are used to grant the final access to different types of areas and facilities.

highway=service
Service roads are generally used to grant access to certain areas:
- Schools
- Malls
- Industrial buildings
- Drive-throughs
- Etc.
Service roads will almost never be a long, continuous road.
Rarely needed to be split into separate segments, unless doing so to further describe its specific function (parking_aisle, drive_through, etc.).
Can render with a different style in the Kaart Style depending on what other tags are combined with the service road.

highway=service as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Alleys

An alley is a narrow service road that is typically located between properties to allow access to things like rear entrances, fire escapes, storage areas, etc. These are commonly found in urban areas.

highway=service+service=alley

highway=service+service=alley as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Driveways

Driveways are minor service roads that lead to or close to a specific property. These are common for houses (sometimes leading to a garage), but may also be used for commercial buildings, military buildings, etc.

highway=service+service=driveway

highway=service+service=driveway as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Parking Aisles

A parking aisle is a service road that passes through parking spaces. These are commonly used in parking lots and parking garages.

highway=service+service=parking_aisle

highway=service+service=parking_aisle as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Drive-Throughs

These tags are used to describe shops or amenities that offer drive-through services. The most common examples of these are pharmacies, banks, fast food restaurants, and automated car washes. Key:drive_through will be added to amenity feature, while the roadways themselves are tagged differently. Roads that are mapped as drive-throughs should have the following tags:

highway=service+service=drive-through

Be sure to use the proper covered/building passage tags when mapping drive throughs. covered=yes is used when an awning or roof covers a roadway, while tunnel=building_passage is used when the roadway passes through a building with walls on both sides.

highway=service+service=drive-through as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Track

highway=track
Track roads are most often unpaved, rural roads.
They are used to connect people to resources, recreation, or open land.
- Cropland, farms, and other agricultural areas
- Forests
- Fire roads
- Remote desert access
- Canal roads
Acceptable to be mapped as long segments.
Split sparingly, unless there is a drastic change in direction.(revisit)
Tracks can have a dead end.
Try to limit the amount of track roads you have in an area. We only need enough to describe the area. Keep the ones that provide access to amenities like homes, bodies of water, and farmlands.
Very frequently used in combination with highway=unclassified as a longer main route, with several highway=track connected, leading to crop fields and other amanities.

highway=track as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Pedestrian

highway=pedestrian
Pedestrian roads are mainly or exclusively for pedestrians but some vehicles may be authorized (buses, emergency, taxis, deliveries, etc.).
Often found in shopping areas, town centers, places with tourist attractions, and recreation areas.
Can also be found in residential communities designed to be navigated primarily by foot.
For more information about pedestrian streets and other pedestrian features see the pedestrian doc (link).

highway=pedestrian as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Footway

highway=footway
Footways are typically exclusively for foot traffic.
Generally found only within urban settings.
Usually seen as sidewalks or minor pathways designated solely for pedestrians.
- Under specific circumstances, these may be used in combination with bicycles.
- Surface type may vary, but usually are paved with some material.
If the footpath is excessively wide or appears to host more than just foot traffic, consider using another classification (pedestrian, cycleway, path, etc.).

highway=footway as depicted in the Kaart Style.

highway=footway+bicycle=yes as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Cycleway

highway=cycleway
A separate way designated for cyclists.
Cycling infrastructure that is an inherent part of a road, particularly "cycle lanes", should usually not be tagged as a separate cycleway, but by adding the cycleway=* tag to an existing highway=* instead.
Different countries have their own rules as to whether foot access is allowed by default on cycleways.

highway=cycleway as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Path

highway=path
A generic path used by pedestrians, small vehicles, and/or animals.
Generally found only within rural settings.
Could be seen as walking and hiking trails, bike paths, horse and stock trails, or mountain bike trails, etc.
Used as a broad classification when other smaller classifications(pedestrian, footway, cycleway bridleway, etc.) don't quite fit.
Surface types may vary, but usually are natural to the area (unpaved).

highway=path as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Road Links

A link is a section of road that connects two highways. These roads are not the main route for traffic, but are used to transition from one road to another.

Common characteristics of a link include:

Links are normally named.
Are often one-way, but may be bidirectional in some cases.
Link classifications are only used for ways that are tertiary and above.
Links take the higher classification of the two connecting roads. This is found further explained here.
They are exclusive, separated (either physically or with paint) lanes that connect a high priority road to an equal or lesser priority road.
Often have other tags/street signs to indicate destinations, connecting refs, etc.

Y-Junctions

Extra care and attention should be given to Y-Junctions. Due to the uniqueness of these junctions, classifying them correctly can often be confusing.

There are currently two ways to classify these, both of which are determined by the context of the features:

As links
As a standard classification

As Links

This standard typically only applies to higher classified ways that have large interchanges to help transition traffic to/from one major highway to another.

As a Standard Classification

This is the most common way to classify y-junctions since the road splits before an intersection to help with traffic calming. In this instance the classification would remain the same as the road it is part of and would also keep the name and other relevant tags.

This topic has been discussed on the wiki and the OSM mailing list and the community has accepted this method in certain scenarios based on context.

Physical Characteristics of a Road Link

The following examples depict the physical characteristics of the different types of link roads.

Slip Roads

Slip roads cut the corner at an intersection, leaving a small triangular island between it and the crossing roads. In some cases, paint is used as a "physical barrier" to help outline where slip roads are at an intersection. These "short cuts" created by the slip roads usually imply a turning restriction at the major intersection.

Links at Grade-Separated Interchanges

These links allow drivers to move from one highway to the next without worrying about cross traffic.

Separated Roundabout Turns

Separated roundabout turns are essentially slip roads as well. It is only considered to be a link if it is physically separated from the rest of the roundabout.

Link Tag Key Combinations

To properly map road links you will need to determine what type of highway classification it is which will be the higher classification of the two connecting ways.

Motorway_link

highway=motorway_link
Motorway links are link roads(slip roads/ramps) that lead tto and from a motorway. These are commonly referred to as on-ramps and off-ramps in American English.
These are commonly oneways. Any bidirectional motorway links should be tagged as oneway=no.

highway=motorway_link as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Trunk_link

highway=trunk_link
Trunk links are link roads(slip roads/ramps) that lead to and from a trunk.
They are used for channelized turning lanes that are connected through carriageways or through lanes of a highway=trunk to other minor roadways.
A channelized turn lane is physically separated by an obstruction at-grade.

highway=trunk_link as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Primary_link

highway=primary_link
Primary links are link roads(slip roads/ramps) that lead to and from a primary road.
They are used for channelized turning lanes that are connected through carriageways or through lanes of a highway=primary to other minor roadways such as secondary and tertiary highways.
A channelized turn lane is physically separated by an obstruction at-grade.

highway=primary_link as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Secondary_link

highway=secondary_link
Secondary links are link roads(slip roads/ramps) that lead to and from a secondary road.
They are used for channelized turning lanes that are connected through carriageways or through lanes of a highway=secondary to other minor roadways.
A channelized turn lane is physically separated by an obstruction at-grade.

highway=secondary_link as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Tertiary_link

highway=tertiary
Tertiary links are link roads(slip roads/ramps) that lead to and from a tertiary road.
They are used for channelized turning lanes that are connected through carriageways or through lanes of a highway=tertiary to other minor roadways.
A channelized turn lane is physically separated by an obstruction at-grade.

highway=tertiary_link as depicted in the Kaart Style.

A breakdown of when to use each "_link" classification can be found here

Temporary Classifications

There are two types of temporary classifications:

Construction
Proposed

Construction

The construction tag is used to describe features like roadways, buildings, and leisure areas that are under construction. When adding this tag to each feature, be sure to research the OSM Wiki to determine the format of the tag, since this can vary depending on the type of feature.

There are two instances where a construction tag would apply:

Long term construction
Short term construction

Long Term Construction:

This is construction that has been or will be going on for 6-9 months or longer. Routing is prohibited for this type of construction and will be detoured until it is complete. For highway, use the following format:

highway=construction+construction=*
- For example: highway=construction+construction=primary

Short Term Construction:

This type of construction lasts less than 6-9 months or is temporary. DO NOT use any construction tags for this type of construction since these projects will be completed in a short amount of time. Instead, use a conditional restriction. OSM is often used offline so some data may be months out of date.

Other tags:

opening_date=*
- Date the construction is set to be complete.
- Format should be YYYY-MM-DD.
check_date=*
- Date the construction was last verified/updated.
- Format should be YYYY-MM-DD.
construction=minor
- Highway is under construction but still usable.
  - For example, a road is being paved, one side is being worked on and the other is being driven.
- Don't use highway=construction. Leave the default value as is.

Things to keep in mind:

Always use all available resources when confirming/adding/updating construction areas.
- Make sure you can prove all of your edits since these changes can have a major or minor impact on the map depending on the ttype of construction.
Make sure routing is still possible where vehicles are allowed to drive.
- This mainly applies to long term/short term construction areas since the roads under construction aren't drivable for a period of time.
Highways under construction can have other highway related tags.
- Make sure those tags are correct when modifying the way.
Remove construction tags and convert the way to the proper classification when you can confirm the way is no longer under construction.
Make sure all connections are correct as you're able to verify them.
Remember to add notes to construction areas with things like dates it should be revisited, resources that can be used to confirm it, oddities you came across, etc.
- These notes are often very helpful for other editors that come across the same area.

highway=construction as depicted in the Kaart Style.

Proposed Highways

Proposed ways are features that are added to show where a planned highway will be, but construction hasn’t started yet. These often won’t be visible in any satellite imagery since construction for them has yet to begin.