StreetComplete is an easy to use OpenStreetMap editor that can be used without prior knowledge about OpenStreetMap.[1] The App prompts users to answer easy questions like "What are the opening hours here?" or "Is this still here?" about places and objects in their surrounding.[2] Answering these questions helps keeping the OpenStreetMap database complete and up to date.[3][4]

StreetComplete
Original author(s)Tobias Zwick (westnordost)
Initial release2017
RepositoryStreetComplete on GitHub
Written in Kotlin
Platform Android, an iOS Version is planned
TypeGIS software
LicenseGNU General Public License 3.0
Websitestreetcomplete.app

Functionality

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StreetComplete marks places and things in a map overview for which data in OpenStreetMap is missing or possibly no longer up to date. Users can complete this missing data by answering simple questions (called quests). The quests are designed in such a way that answering them on site is quick and easy and no special expertise or prior knowledge is needed.[3][4] The questions cover a wide range of topics:[2]

  • "What’s the house number of this building? "
  • "Is there a shelter at this stop? "
  • "Does this crosswalk have tactile paving on both ends? "
  • "How many bicycles can be parked here? "
  • "What’s the surface of the footpath here? "
  • "Any vegetarian items on the menu here? "

The app offers the option to ask other OpenStreetMap contributors for help in case a question can not be answered.

StreetComplete focuses on adding further details to already existing objects. As a result of this, users can only modify a subset of the data stored in the OpenStreetMap database. It is, e.g., not possible to change the geometry of buildings or roads. For such changes, users must switch to other editors, such as the iD editor.[4]

Gamification

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A unique feature of the app compared to other OpenStreetMap editors is the use of gamification to make solving the quests fun and competitive. Users collect points with every quest they solve and can thus improve their national and global rank.[5][4]

Usage

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In the ranking of OpenStreetMap editors, StreetComplete takes second place according to number of users[6][7] and fourth place according to number of edits.[8][7] This makes the app the highest-placed smartphone app in both categories.

Development

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StreetComplete is licensed under the GNU General Public License 3.0[3] and is continuously developed as an Open Source project. The source code is published on the project website. The Android app was released in 2017,[9] an iOS version is planned.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "StreetComplete". Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  2. ^ a b "OpenStreetMap Wiki - StreetComplete Quests". Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  3. ^ a b c Weichler, Jess (January 28, 2020). "How I had a nerdy date night with StreetComplete quests". opensource.com. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  4. ^ a b c d Vibber, Kelson (March 9, 2022). "StreetComplete - Review". Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  5. ^ "StreetComplete is a gamified Android app specifically for casual contributors to OpenStreetMap Editor for mapping in the field". 2023-07-23. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  6. ^ "OpenStreetMap Statistics - contributor count per editing software". Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  7. ^ a b "OpenStreetMap Wiki - StreetComplete". Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  8. ^ "OpenStreetMap Statistics - edit count per editing software". Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  9. ^ "Google Play Store". Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  10. ^ "GitHub - iOS Planning". Retrieved 2024-10-06.
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