I ran across this site while looking at https://deflock.org/
I don’t understand why there are so many “GPS traces” for the Dollar Store but none for the big courthouse.
I’m brand new to this, so be kind. I’m not sure yet what your “goal” is.
Thanks,
Brett Pace
Hi Brett_Pace, welcome to OSM and the forum.
the GPS traces are recorded by volunteers and uploaded to OSM. There is no management. Apparently more of those people recording such traces are visiting the Dollar Store than the courthouse. That’s it.
Cheers, Mikke
See GPS tracks - OpenStreetMap Wiki for some context
In short, they used to be more important before we had access to high-quality aerials, and were (and sometimes are still used) to record location of roads etc to make their mapping possible (or easier or more accurate).
In some cases they are still needed and useful.
people happened to record these (and shop has few of them anyway)
probably they recorded while visiting shop and were lucky enough to not have anything to handle at courthouse
in short: mapping the world and sharing this data with others
people map different things, some map cycling infrastructure, some hiking trails, some Flock cameras, some sculptures in parks or sidewalks or roads or shops or churches…
(you are welcome to join mapping if interested!)
In the specific case of that Dollar General, the pattern is strongly suggestive of someone using the parking lot as a place to turn on their GPS.
Thank you!
