OpenRailwayMap (ORM) is an online collaborative mapping project developing a worldwide railway map using technology based on the OpenStreetMap project. The project is part of the OpenStreetMap database, and acts as a renderer for the existing OpenStreetMap database to include additional information for railroad lines worldwide.[2] The project was launched in 2013.[3]

OpenRailwayMap
OpenRailwayMap section of northeastern US and southeastern Canada
Type of site
Collaborative mapping
OwnerCommunity-owned
ProductsGeographic data
URLwww.openrailwaymap.org
CommercialNo
RegistrationRequired for contributors, not required for viewing
Launched2013; 11 years ago (2013)[1]
Current statusActive
Content license
Various

History

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The project was founded in 2011.[4] The OpenRailwayMap website was launched in mid 2013 and is currently active.[3]

Contents

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OpenRailwayMap contains data for railway line positions, as well as the following information about them: track type (i.e. bridge, tunnel, regular line); track line type and current use (i.e. main, branch, yard; construction, disused, abandoned); max rail speeds; train protection; track electrification and track voltage if applicable, and track gauge.[5]

Applications

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Some of the uses for OpenRailwayMap are as follows: scientific models/simulations, data for model train enthusiasts, track information for trainspotters, and routing/public transport. [4][6]

As well as the project website there is also a mobile app available for Android devices.[7]

OpenRailwayMap has a public and free (albeit limited-use) API. It is designed for small-scale applications. Users can query for information such as rail locations and data related to the rail.[8][9]

Contributing

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JOSM editor

OpenRailwayMap allows anyone to contribute in many ways, such as:

  • Creating data using photography or GPS trackers and sending it to experienced project editors
  • Using the JOSM desktop editing tool to expand the database (Registration required with a verified email address, no registration required to view data)
  • Contributing to the project's open source code

Internationalization

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OpenRailwayMap is available to users in around 22 languages.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Whois openrailwaymap.org". www.whois.com. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  2. ^ "Where to find railroad maps online". Trains. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  3. ^ a b "Whois openrailwaymap.org". www.whois.com. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  4. ^ a b c "OpenRailwayMap - OpenStreetMap Wiki". wiki.openstreetmap.org. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  5. ^ Brebbia, C.A.; Mera, J.M.; Tomii, N.; Tzieropoulos, P., eds. (2016). Computers in Railways XV: Railway Engineering Design and Operation. Great Britain: WIT Press. pp. 119–120. eISSN 1743-3509. ISBN 978-1-78466-123-6.
  6. ^ Blumenschein, Mattias; Babilon, Katherina; Schmidt, Bernd D.; Pfaff, Raphael (2021). "Use cases in autonomous shunting" (PDF). RWTH AACHEN UNIVERSITY. Aachen, Germany. Retrieved 8 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Railmap for OpenRailwayMap - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  8. ^ "OpenRailwayMap/API - OpenStreetMap Wiki". wiki.openstreetmap.org. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  9. ^ Gaffuri, Julien (2018). "Generalising OpenRailwayMap to 1:10k and 1:50k" (PDF). TU Dresden. Luxembourg city, Luxembourg. Retrieved 8 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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