OpenStreetMap, a web mapping platform, is the most popular web map source for use in locationbased services with specific emphasis on pedestrian navigation, tourist guide applications, and other location-based search applications. This paper tests the positional accuracy of OpenStreetMap for the mapping applications using the case study in the campus of UMM El-Qura University, Makah, Saudi Arabia. The proposed testing method consists of statistical comparative approach using OpenStreetMap data and accurate land surveying reference data. The results show that OpenStreetMap data has positional accuracy of 1.57 m which is suitable for generating planimetric maps of scale 1:5000 or smaller. The obtained results open the door for using the OpenStreetMap maps for applications such as general preliminary planning where larger areas are covered but only moderate accuracy is needed. Applications include mapping the general layout of potential construction sites, proposed transportation systems, and existing facilities. The proposed methodology in this paper is of great interest to small engineering firms for the generation of local area maps from OpenStreetMap data.
El-Ashmawy, K. l. A. (2016). Testing the positional accuracy of OpenStreetMap data for mapping applications. Geodesy and Cartography, 42(1), 25-30. https://doi.org/10.3846/20296991.2015.1160493
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms
that this article contains no violation of any existing copyright or other third party right or any material of a libelous, confidential, or otherwise unlawful nature, and that I will indemnify and keep indemnified the Editor and THE PUBLISHER against all claims and expenses (including legal costs and expenses) arising from any breach of this warranty and the other warranties on my behalf in this agreement;
that I have obtained permission for and acknowledged the source of any illustrations, diagrams or other material included in the article of which I am not the copyright owner.
on behalf of any co-authors, I agree to this work being published in Geodesy and Cartography as Open Access, and licenced under a Creative Commons Licence, 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This licence allows for the fullest distribution and re-use of the work for the benefit of scholarly information.
For authors that are not copyright owners in the work (for example government employees), please contact VILNIUS TECH to make alternative agreements.