Hello. New to uploading to OSM. I uploaded some GPS traces (gpx files that are hiking trails) and they are visible on the Standard Map if I toggle on Public GPS Traces in the overlays for the map. How does a GPS trace go from a trace to a regular footpath in the Standard Map? I can see other hiking trails marked as footpaths in the area where I am adding traces but can’t figure out how to get the traces made into a regular feature on the Standard Map. Help/guidance is MUCH appreciated.
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You need to log in to OSM with any of the standard editors and add the trail manually. The GPS trace can be used as a guide but remember that a single trace from a consumer grade GPS is not super accurate especially in rugged terrain. Generally, I use my GPS tracks to assure the aerial imagery I am using is pretty well aligned and they use the aerial imagery as much as possible only falling back on using GPS data alone if vegetation, etc. totally blocks seeing the trail.
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Hi n76. Thank you, this is very helpful. I get it now. When I use the editor I noticed many of the other footpaths in OSM for our local trails are not overlayed on the actual aerial image of the trail accurately. I have some cleaning up to do!
The Hiking page on the wiki is helpful.
Be careful with offsets in aerial imagery - don’t assume that the aerial imagery is perfectly aligned, e.g. if all the mapped paths seem to be consistently “off”. This is where multiple GPS traces (and the Strava heatmap) can be very helpful.
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Thanks to everyone for your input. Very helpful!
A general word of advice: Before converting GPS tracks to paths, validate the points!
Especially when walking along some wall or in a canyon the positions may be significantly wrong.
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