Mapping the RESO/Underground City

Communities Canada
1

(I posted something similar on r/openstreetmap, if you are wondering about the duplication).

Hello everyone,

I am currently working on a project to map Montreal’s Underground City (RESO). I was planning on using the same methodology of the Toronto PATH network (layer=-1 level=-1 access=permissive tunnel=yes highway=footway name=PATH), but obviously modified so the name=RESO. Does anyone have any input on how mapping a public underground pedestrian network should be done? I have sent an OSM message to someone who started mapping Montreal’s RESO, should I wait until they respond? If they do not, how should I go about modifying their work?

Additionally, while that user mapped everything at level=-1, the network (in that section) starts at a large underground mall that is at level=-2. Toronto’s PATH is mostly mapped on level=-1, but has a section at level=-2. Should I modify the existing segment created by the other user and map everything beyond it at level=-2 to match up with the mall, then change segments later based on where they are in each building they pass under? (We did measure where stairs were, and how high they went, which could inform level).

Let me know if you guys have any input! We would love to continue mapping the RESO and get it closer to the level of the PATH network, so having a consistent style from the start would be very helpful. If anyone here has worked on mapping the PATH, any insights you could share would be great.

Thanks!

1 Like
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Nice! This is quite a complex task though. Why access=permissive? Except during some part of the night in some places, the RESO is open to anyone anytime.

3

Do you plan to survey on the ground? This would be easier to figure out the correct layers/levels (which are two different things :-))

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For access=permissive, I’m not entirely sure what the legal status of each segment of the RESO is. Some are directly part of the Metro and some are part of malls, so I don’t know what that means for access timing/permissions, and how that would be reflected in the tagging.

We are actually surveying on the ground, with compasses and laser distance meters. We tried GPS traaces the first time, but that obviously was a complete mess.

For the layers, we’re thinking of putting everything at layer=-1, to avoid conflict with all the rail lines and highway tunnels at layer=-2 and layer=-3. For the levels, we’ll have to go back and verify everything, but it should mostly be at level=-2 and level=-1.

Let me know if you have any suggestions!

1 Like
5

I would no put permissive access unless it is documented and specific to an area in particular. The RESO is mostly accessible to all, like university campuses (well except McGill during manifestations) and other public footpaths on ”private” land to connect commercial areas and transit stations.