Proposal:Pole types for public transportation
| Proposal:Pole types for public transportation | |
|---|---|
| Proposal status: | Draft (under way) |
| Proposed by: | NFarras |
| Tagging: | pole=traffic_sign, pole=flag, pole=totem
|
| Applies to: |   
|
| Definition: | Tagging pole types in public transport stops |
| Statistics: |
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| Draft started: | 2025-08-31 |
Proposal
This proposal introduces new tagging values for pole=* to describe public transport features, mainly highway=bus_stop and public_transport=platform nodes, ways, and areas. Details about proposed values are explained below. This proposal would also deprecate the use of flag=* for public transport.
Rationale
Information about a public transport stop’s pole or signage is essential for encouraging public transport use among citizens and for improving overall service quality. Passengers can know what type of sign to look for when searching for a stop, especially where no shelter is present. Stakeholders, such as government agencies and bus operators, can use this data for maintenance and decision-making. Researchers and students can also use it to study the quality of a city’s public transport network.
In Bandung, the capital city of West Java, Indonesia, there are three main types of bus stop poles or signs. The most common type is a regular traffic sign consisting of a blue square sign with a bus pictogram. The Bandung City Department of Transportation has also introduced two other types: totems and flags. Totems are large information boards placed on the sidewalk, displaying a bus/angkot icon at the top and route diagrams at the bottom. This type is more informative for passengers than a regular traffic sign. Flags are illuminated poles with a sign at the top to indicate the stop and the route numbers served there, as well as an additional board at the bottom displaying route diagrams.
Outside Bandung, bus stop totems are also used in Jakarta, Surabaya, Singapore, and Bangkok. The flag type on the other hand is more common worldwide. Examples can be found in Kediri, Hamburg, Victoria, Ireland, and Singapore.
Comparison with sign=*
Tagging
Key pole=* should not be tagged as a standalone feature. It accompanies highway=bus_stop, public_transport=platform, or public_transport=pole.
Tagging values
| Key | Value | Element | Comment | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pole | traffic_sign |
|
Rectangular or circular sign mounted on the top of the pole, usually a blue sign with bus icon. Route information boards or schedules may also be attached below. |  |
| pole | flag |
|
Bus stop signage with route information board attached on top side of the pole. |  |
| pole | totem |
|
Large square or rectangular board displaying the bus route diagram and other details. |  |
| pole | yes |
|
Indicates that a pole exists in the stop area. Please provide more specific tagging. | |
| pole | [Proposed_features user defined] |
|
All commonly used values according to Taginfo | |
Tag on stop/platform
As a separate node
Examples
Features/pages affected
Deprecates flag=* for public transport
These new tags will deprecate the use of flag=* for public transport purpose. The key is a bit ambiguous since it can be misinterpreted as flags in man_made=flagpole and it is possible for a bus stop to have a country/regional flag. Public transport flag signage tagging will be replaced by pole=flag.
highway=bus_stop and public_transport=platform
Add pole=* in "useful combination" section or table as an optional key.
Rendering
No changes are proposed for rendering in existing map styles (Carto, Transport, CyclOSM, etc.), since this information is optional. However, future OSM-based projects (or even current ones) that display advanced public transport maps could adapt their rendering to make use of this data.
Comments
Plan to deprecate highway=bus_stop
There is an on-going proposal to deprecate highway=bus_stop. These new pole tagging values should not affect or be affected by the outcome of that proposal.
Discussion
Please use the talk page.