Key:highway: Difference between revisions

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(Undo revision 316334 by Lulu-Ann (Talk) there was intense discussion on the talk mailing list. In the german ML as well.)
(Undo revision 317451 by Dieterdreist (Talk) As long as the discussion is not here, nobody can follow it. Proposal needed!)
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*{{Tag|access|yes}}
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The '''highway tag''' is the primary tag used for highways. It is often the only tag. It is a very general and sometimes vague ''description of the importance of the highway''.
The '''highway tag''' is the primary tag used for highways. It is often the only tag. It is a very general and sometimes vague ''description of the physical structure of the highway''.


While it is not as specific as other tags it is very useful because the basic classification already allows a useful representation of the highway to be part of the map immediately until other data can be gathered. Also, the value of other tags can be assumed based on the value of the highway tag in combination with other information such as other tags and the location.
While it is not as specific as other tags it is very useful because a section of highway can be given a value simply by looking at it. This allows a useful representation of the highway to be part of the map immediately until other data can be gathered. Also, the value of many other tags can be assumed based on the value of the highway tag in combination with other information such as other tags or the location, thereby reducing data entry.


While certain legal designations are used in the descriptions and some of the tags are the same as legal descriptions, e.g. motorway, the consensus is that the highway tag is for making a general description of the '''importance''' of a highway in the street grid. This gives the user of a highway more useful information than a legal or physical classification.
While certain legal designations are used in the descriptions and some of the tags are the same as legal descriptions, e.g. trunk and motorway, the consensus is that the highway tag is for making a general description of the '''physical''' attributes of a highway. This gives the user of a highway more useful information than a legal classification. There are three main reasons for this.


*First, it is assumed that the user of a highway wants to know the physical structure of the road. A driver wants to know if the road is a single lane or a four lane and not its funding source.
Anyway to describe more details of the highway it is recommended to add additional physical attributes like {{Key|lanes}},{{Key|surface}} and {{Key|width}}.


*Second, it allows the same set of values to be applied in different legal jurisdictions to similar highways where the legal classification systems might be very different. A section of Autobahn in Germany, a section of US Interstate, and a city expressway can all be labeled as motorway.
Some advantages of tagging highways mainly according to importance and not to it's adminstrative class or physical state are:


*Third, its faster than determining the legal status or funding source of a road. If a section of road in the US looks like a motorway then it can be tagged as a motorway without researching its funding sources or driving up and down the road looking for an Interstate sign.
*it allows the same set of values to be applied in different legal jurisdictions to similar highways where the legal classification systems might be very different. A section of Autobahn in Germany, a section of US Interstate, and a city expressway can all be labeled as motorway.


Here is an example where the highway tag differs from the legal status:
*In some countries an important road would still be unpaved and/or narrow. In particular this is used where a very narrow road is expected by locals to be rendered at higher zoom levels. In Iceland for example, the biggest connecting road in the country is mostly a two lane sealed road, but in some parts it is still a 1.5 lane unsealed road. It is still a "primary" road though; the unsealed portions are tagged as such.


:A road which is legally designated as trunk road has a section where the road is not built to trunk standards; e.g., a single lane with passing areas. The section that is not built to trunk standards should be given a different value for highway other than trunk.
*it's faster than determining the legal status or funding source of a road. If a section of road in the US looks like a motorway then it can be tagged as a motorway without researching its funding sources or driving up and down the road looking for an Interstate sign.

== Exceptions to physical attributes ==

In some countries a road's other attributes are used in determining the highway tag value. In particular this is used where a very narrow road is expected by locals to be rendered at higher zoom levels.

In Iceland for example, the biggest connecting road in the country is mostly a two lane sealed road, but in some parts it is still a 1.5 lane unsealed road. It is still a "primary" road though; the unsealed portions are tagged as such.


== The highway tag and legal access. ==
== The highway tag and legal access. ==

Revision as of 11:06, 8 August 2009

Public-images-osm logo.svg highway
Description
The highway tag is the primary tag used for any kind of street or way. Edit this description in the wiki page. Edit this description in the data item.
Group: Highway
Used on these elements
may be used on nodesmay be used on waysshould not be used on areasshould not be used on relations (except multipolygon relations)
Documented values: 69
Implies
Status: approvedPage for proposal

The highway tag is the primary tag used for highways. It is often the only tag. It is a very general and sometimes vague description of the physical structure of the highway.

While it is not as specific as other tags it is very useful because a section of highway can be given a value simply by looking at it. This allows a useful representation of the highway to be part of the map immediately until other data can be gathered. Also, the value of many other tags can be assumed based on the value of the highway tag in combination with other information such as other tags or the location, thereby reducing data entry.

While certain legal designations are used in the descriptions and some of the tags are the same as legal descriptions, e.g. trunk and motorway, the consensus is that the highway tag is for making a general description of the physical attributes of a highway. This gives the user of a highway more useful information than a legal classification. There are three main reasons for this.

  • First, it is assumed that the user of a highway wants to know the physical structure of the road. A driver wants to know if the road is a single lane or a four lane and not its funding source.
  • Second, it allows the same set of values to be applied in different legal jurisdictions to similar highways where the legal classification systems might be very different. A section of Autobahn in Germany, a section of US Interstate, and a city expressway can all be labeled as motorway.
  • Third, its faster than determining the legal status or funding source of a road. If a section of road in the US looks like a motorway then it can be tagged as a motorway without researching its funding sources or driving up and down the road looking for an Interstate sign.

Here is an example where the highway tag differs from the legal status:

A road which is legally designated as trunk road has a section where the road is not built to trunk standards; e.g., a single lane with passing areas. The section that is not built to trunk standards should be given a different value for highway other than trunk.

Exceptions to physical attributes

In some countries a road's other attributes are used in determining the highway tag value. In particular this is used where a very narrow road is expected by locals to be rendered at higher zoom levels.

In Iceland for example, the biggest connecting road in the country is mostly a two lane sealed road, but in some parts it is still a 1.5 lane unsealed road. It is still a "primary" road though; the unsealed portions are tagged as such.

The highway tag and legal access.

While some highway tags like cycleway and bridleway imply a particular kind of traffic other tags should be used to designate what traffic is legally allowed or may be appropriate.

Network and route systems.

The value of the highway tag should be applied without regard to network and route systems. In many countries a particular section of road may be part of many different routes in the same or different route networks, and a particular route may have sections with different attributes and therefore different highway tags. Refer to country specific guides for tagging routes and networks.

See also

Values

Key Value Element Comment Rendering carto Examples

Roads

These are the principal tags for the road network. They range from the most to least important.

highway motorway way A restricted access major divided highway, normally with 2 or more running lanes plus emergency hard shoulder. Equivalent to the Freeway, Autobahn, etc..
Rendering-highway motorway neutral.png
  • Morgendlicher Berufsverkehr auf der BAB A8 beim Kreuz Stuttgart - panoramio.jpg
highway trunk way The most important roads in a country's system that aren't motorways. (Need not necessarily be a divided highway.)
Rendering-highway trunk carto.png
  • L3005, Eschborn, Germany
  • Cat and Fiddle Road, England
highway primary way The next most important roads in a country's system. (Often link larger towns.)
Rendering-highway primary neutral.png
  • Hunsrückhöhenstraße, Kappel, Germany
  • Tanami Road, Australia
highway secondary way The next most important roads in a country's system. (Often link towns.)
Rendering-highway secondary neutral.png
  • L134, Meyenburg, Schwanewede, Germany
  • Vatnsnesvegur, Iceland
highway tertiary way The next most important roads in a country's system. (Often link smaller towns and villages)
Rendering-highway tertiary neutral.png
  • Bergedorfer Straße, Worpswede, Germany
  • Canol Road, Yukon, Canada
highway unclassified way The least important through roads in a country's system – i.e. minor roads of a lower classification than tertiary, but which serve a purpose other than access to properties. (Often link villages and hamlets.)

The word 'unclassified' is a historical artefact of the UK road system and does not mean that the classification is unknown; you can use highway=road for that.

Rendering-highway unclassified.png
  • Sentiero 00, Cantagallo, Tuscany, Italy
  • Kuskealleen, Vordingborg, Denmark
highway residential way Roads which serve as an access to housing, without function of connecting settlements. Often lined with housing.
Rendering-highway residential.png
  • Taman Ria Terrace.jpg
  • Main Street, Elko, Nevada, USA

Link roads

highway motorway_link way The link roads (sliproads/ramps) leading to/from a motorway from/to a motorway or lower class highway. Normally with the same motorway restrictions.
Rendering-highway motorway link.png
A5 exit link to A672, Darmstadt, Germany
highway trunk_link way The link roads (sliproads/ramps) leading to/from a trunk road from/to a trunk road or lower class highway.
Rendering-highway trunk link.png
A7 / OAL23 interchange, Nesselwang, Germany
highway primary_link way The link roads (sliproads/ramps) leading to/from a primary road from/to a primary road or lower class highway.
Rendering-highway primary link.png
B20 exit and entrance to Brunn, Fridolfing, Germany
highway secondary_link way The link roads (sliproads/ramps) leading to/from a secondary road from/to a secondary road or lower class highway.
Rendering-highway secondary link.png
APD-40cloverleaf.jpg
highway tertiary_link way The link roads (sliproads/ramps) leading to/from a tertiary road from/to a tertiary road or lower class highway.
Rendering-highway tertiary link.png

Special road types

highway living_street way For living streets, which are residential streets where pedestrians have legal priority over cars, speeds are kept very low and this is can use for narrow roads that usually using for motorcycle roads.
Living street osm.png
beginning of a living street with a paving stones surface and some trees and cars parking at the sides
highway service way area For access roads to, or within an industrial estate, camp site, business park, car park, alleys, etc. Can be used in conjunction with service=* to indicate the type of usage and with access=* to indicate who can use it and in what circumstances.
Rendering-highway service.png
Alley leading from the High Street to Green Lane Shopping Centre - geograph.org.uk - 942796.jpg
highway pedestrian way area For roads used mainly/exclusively for pedestrians in shopping and some residential areas which may allow access by motorised vehicles only for very limited periods of the day. To create a 'square' or 'plaza' create a closed way and tag as pedestrian and also with area=yes.
Pedestrian with area osm.png
Cambridge Rd - geograph.org.uk - 1189572.jpg
highway track way Roads for mostly agricultural or forestry uses. To describe the quality of a track, see tracktype=*. Note: Although tracks are often rough with unpaved surfaces, this tag is not describing the quality of a road but its use. Consequently, if you want to tag a general use road, use one of the general highway values instead of track.
Rendering-highway track.png
  • Frühlingslandschft Aaretal Schweiz.jpg
  • Asphalt track.jpg
highway bus_guideway way A busway where the vehicle guided by the way (though not a railway) and is not suitable for other traffic. Please note: this is not a normal bus lane, use access=no, psv=yes instead!
Rendering-highway-bus guideway-mapnik.png
Bus track.jpg
highway escape way For runaway truck ramps, runaway truck lanes, emergency escape ramps, or truck arrester beds. It enables vehicles with braking failure to safely stop.
A7-Notbremsweg.jpg
highway raceway way A course or track for (motor) racing
Rendering-highway-raceway-mapnik.png
Fuji Speedway start-finish.jpg
highway road way A road/way/street/motorway/etc. of unknown type. It can stand for anything ranging from a footpath to a motorway. This tag should only be used temporarily until the road/way/etc. has been properly surveyed. If you do know the road type, do not use this value, instead use one of the more specific highway=* values.
Rendering-highway-road-mapnik.png
Road.png
highway busway way A dedicated roadway for bus rapid transit systems
grade-seperated section of busway outside of station

Paths

highway footway way area For designated footpaths; i.e., mainly/exclusively for pedestrians. This includes walking tracks and gravel paths. If bicycles are allowed as well, you can indicate this by adding a bicycle=yes tag. Should not be used for paths where the primary or intended usage is unknown. Use highway=pedestrian for pedestrianised roads in shopping or residential areas and highway=track if it is usable by agricultural or similar vehicles. For ramps (sloped paths without steps), combine this tag with incline=*.
Rendering-highway footway.png
Footway in Stowupland - geograph.org.uk - 1044849.jpg
highway bridleway way For horse riders. Pedestrians are usually also permitted, cyclists may be permitted depending on local rules/laws. Motor vehicles are forbidden.
Rendering-highway bridleway.png
Bridleway-reitweg-de.jpg
highway steps way For flights of steps (stairs) on footways. Use with step_count=* to indicate the number of steps
Rendering-highway steps.png
Escalinata del Calvario de Toluca.jpg
highway corridor way For a hallway inside of a building.
HK TST Star House mall corridor interior shop signs Sept-2012.JPG
highway path way A non-specific path. Use highway=footway for paths mainly for walkers, highway=cycleway for one also usable by cyclists, highway=bridleway for ones available to horse riders as well as walkers and highway=track for ones which is passable by agriculture or similar vehicles.
Path osm.png
GuideFootPathCycleYes.jpg
highway via_ferrata way A via ferrata is a route equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges in order to increase ease and security for climbers. These via ferrata require equipment : climbing harness, shock absorber and two short lengths of rope, but do not require a long rope as for climbing.
Mauerlaeufer ueberhang.jpg

When sidewalk/crosswalk is tagged as a separate way

footway sidewalk way Sidewalk that runs typically along residential road. Use in combination with highway=footway or highway=path
Rendering-highway footway.png
200806 Berlin 91sidewalk.jpg
footway crossing way Crosswalk that connects two sidewalks on the opposite side of the road. Often recognized by painted markings on the road, road sign or traffic lights. Use in combination with highway=footway or highway=path. Useful information is presence of tactile_paving=*, wheelchair=* suitability and kerb=* represented as a node on the crosswalk way.
Rendering-highway footway.png
Zebra-crossing sm.jpg

When sidewalk (or pavement) is tagged on the main roadway (see Sidewalks)

sidewalk both | left | right | no way Specifies that the highways has sidewalks on both sides, on one side or no sidewalk at all
Sidewalk and zebra-crossing.jpg

When cycleway is drawn as its own way (see Bicycle)

highway cycleway way For designated cycleways. Add foot=*, though it may be avoided if default-access-restrictions do apply.
Cycleway osm.png
Separated cycleway with traffic sign

Cycleway tagged on the main roadway or lane (see Bicycle)

cycleway lane way A lane is a route that lies within the roadway
Fietsstrook Herenweg Oudorp.jpg
cycleway opposite way Used on ways with oneway=yes where it is legally permitted to cycle in both directions. Used together with oneway:bicycle=no.
Sul bxl 01.JPG
cycleway opposite_lane way Used on ways with oneway=yes that have a cycling lane going the opposite direction of normal traffic flow (a "contraflow" lane). Used together with oneway:bicycle=no.
France road sign C24a-2.svg
cycleway track way A track provides a route that is separated from traffic. In the United States, this term is often used to refer to bike lanes that are separated from lanes for cars by pavement buffers, bollards, parking lanes, and curbs. Note that a cycle track may alternatively be drawn as a separate way next to the road which is tagged as highway=cycleway.
Cycle nexttoroad.jpg
cycleway opposite_track way Used on ways with oneway=yes that have a cycling track going the opposite direction of normal traffic flow. Used together with oneway:bicycle=no.
549c Spitzenkiel140923.jpg
cycleway share_busway way There is a bus lane that cyclists are permitted to use.
Busandbike.jpg
cycleway opposite_share_busway way Used on ways with oneway=yes that have a bus lane that cyclists are also permitted to use, and which go in the opposite direction to normal traffic flow (a "contraflow" bus lane). Used together with oneway:bicycle=no.
2010-01-02 15.19.16.jpg
cycleway shared_lane way Cyclists share a lane with motor vehicles, there are markings reminding about this. In some places these markings are known as "sharrows" ('sharing arrows') and this is the tag to use for those.
Sharrows Toronto 2011.jpg
busway lane way Bus lane on both sides of the road. (See also: Parallel scheme for bus/psv lane tagging lanes:bus=* / lanes:psv=*)
2010-01-02 15.19.16.jpg

Street parking tagged on the main roadway (see Street parking)

parking:left / :right / :both
(hereafter: parking:side)
lane | street_side | on_kerb | half_on_kerb | shoulder | no | separate | yes way Primary key to record parking along the street. Desribes the parking position of parked vehicles in the street.
Darby Street Pre-Shared Space Change.jpg
parking:sideorientation=* parallel | diagonal | perpendicular way To specify the orientation of parked vehicles if there is street parking.

Lifecycle (see also lifecycle prefixes)

highway proposed way For planned roads, use with proposed=* and a value of the proposed highway value.
highway construction way For roads under construction. Use construction=* to hold the value for the completed road.
Rendering-highway construction tertiary carto.png
different colours
The T12 link road to Wilmore Road under construction - geograph.org.uk - 4452080.jpg

Attributes

abutters commercial | industrial | mixed | residential | retail etc. way See Key:abutters for more details.
Dscf1376-600.jpg
bicycle_road yes way A bicycle road is a road designated for bicycles. If residential streets get the status of bicycle roads, normally, by special signs, motor traffic is admitted with limited speed, often only for residents.
456Humboldtstr.jpg
bus_bay both | left | right way A bus bay outside the main carriageway for boarding/alighting
1033@970.jpg
change yes | no | not_right | not_left | only_right | only_left way Specify the allowed/forbidden lane changes
Only Only Only (49884679761).jpg
destination <place name of destination> way Destination when following a linear feature
Japanese Road sign (Direction and Lane A).svg
embankment yes | dyke way A dyke or a raised bank to carry a road, railway, or canal across a low-lying or wet area.
Green River Trail - Desimone Levee 01.jpg
embedded_rails yes | <type of railway> way A highway on which non-railway traffic is also allowed has railway tracks embedded in it but the rails are mapped as separate ways.
Ruusulankatu tram rails (at lat 60.18206, lon 24.92450) heading NW.jpg
ford yes node way The road crosses through stream or river, vehicles must enter any water.
Map feature ford.jpg
ice_road yes way A highway is laid upon frozen water basin, definitely doesn't exist in summer.
Pechora crossing.jpg
incline Number % | ° | up | down node way Incline steepness as percents ("5%") or degrees ("20°"). Positive/negative values indicate movement upward/downwards in the direction of the way.
Incline17.jpg
junction roundabout way closed way This automatically implies oneway=yes, the oneway direction is defined by the sequential ordering of nodes within the Way. This applies on a way, tagged with highway=* already.
Mapping-Features-Roundabout-Simple.png
2008 03 12 - UMD - Roundabout viewed from Art Soc Bldg 4b.JPG
lanes <number> way The number of traffic lanes for general purpose traffic, also for buses and other specific classes of vehicle.
NLEx 6 Lanes.jpg
lane_markings yes | no way Specifies if a highway has painted markings to indicate the position of the lanes.
Reelsen1.JPG
lit yes | no nodewayarea Street lighting
Berlin speer-leuchte.jpg
maxspeed <number> way Specifies the maximum legal speed limit on a road, railway or waterway.
Zeichen 274-60 - Zulässige Höchstgeschwindigkeit, StVO 2017.svg
motorroad yes | no way node The motorroad tag is used to describe highways that have motorway-like access restrictions but that are not a motorway.
Zeichen 331.1 - Kraftfahrstraße, StVO 2013.svg
mountain_pass yes node The highest point of a mountain pass.
Mountain pass.jpg
mtb:scale 0-6 way Applies to highway=path and highway=track. A classification scheme for mtb trails (few inclination and downhill).
Difficulty gauge for the grants process.png
mtb:scale:uphill 0-5 way A classification scheme for mtb trails for going uphill if there is significant inclination.
Difficulty gauge for the grants process.png
mtb:scale:imba 0-4 way The IMBA Trail Difficulty Rating System shall be used for bikeparks. It is adapted to mtb trails with artificial obstacles.
mtb:description Text way Applies to highway=path and highway=track. A key to input variable infos related to mtbiking on a way with human words
oneway yes | no | reversible way Oneway streets are streets where you are only allowed to drive in one direction.
Schildhb.jpg
oneway:bicycle yes | no | way Used on ways with oneway=yes where it is legally permitted to cycle in both directions.
Sul bxl 01.JPG
overtaking yes | no | caution | both | forward | backward way Specifying sections of roads where overtaking is legally forbidden. Use overtaking:forward=yes/no/caution and overtaking:backward=yes/no/caution when it depends on driving direction.
Overtakinglines.jpg
parking:lane parallel | diagonal | perpendicular | marked | no_parking | no_stopping | fire_lane. way Deprecated variant to map parking along streets. See section on street parking above or the street parking page for more details.
Parkingonstreetlanes2nowide.png
parking:condition free | ticket | disc | residents | customers | private way Deprecated variant to map parking conditions along streets. See section on street parking above or the street parking page for more details.
2013.11.01.104926 Parking sign Kilauea Avenue Hilo Hawaii.jpg
passing_places yes way A way which has frequent passing places (See also: highway=passing_place)
Single-track.jpg
priority forward | backward way Traffic priority for narrow parts of roads, e.g. narrow bridges.
Vienna Convention road sign B6.svg
priority_road designated | yes_unposted | end way Specifying roads signposted as priority roads.
Vienna Convention road sign B3-V1.svg
sac_scale hiking | mountain_hiking | demanding_mountain_hiking | alpine_hiking | demanding_alpine_hiking | difficult_alpine_hiking way Applies to highway=path and highway=footway. A classification scheme for hiking trails.
Mountain hiking.jpg
service alley | driveway | parking_aisle etc. way See Key:service for more details.
Seattle - alley north from S Jackson between Western & 1st - A.jpg
shoulder no | yes | right | both | left way Presence of shoulder in highway
15-05-23-Berlin-Sachsendamm-Tesla-RalfR-N3S 7354.jpg
smoothness excellent | good | intermediate | bad | very_bad | horrible | very_horrible | impassable way area Specifies the physical usability of a way for wheeled vehicles due to surface regularity/flatness. See Key:smoothness for more details.
Jena Track roots.jpg
surface paved | unpaved | asphalt | concrete | paving_stones | sett | cobblestone | metal | wood | compacted | fine_gravel | gravel | pebblestone | plastic | grass_paver | grass | dirt | earth | mud | sand | ground way See Key:surface for more details.
Transportation in Tanzania Traffic problems.JPG
tactile_paving yes | no node way area A paving in the ground to be followed with a blindman's stick.
Tactile paving.jpg
tracktype grade1 | grade2 | grade3 | grade4 | grade5 way To describe the quality of the surface. See Key:tracktype for more information.
Surface grade1.jpg
traffic_calming bump | hump | table | island | cushion | yes | etc. node way Features used to slow down traffic. See Key:traffic calming for more details.
Ležeći policajac 016.jpg
trail_visibility excellent | good | intermediate | bad | horrible | no way Applies to highway=path, highway=footway, highway=cycleway and highway=bridleway. A classification for hiking trails visibility
Trail visibility good.jpg
trailblazed yes | no | poles | cairns | symbols way Applies to highway=*. Describing trail blazing and marking. See Key:trailblazed for more information.
Trail blazing 10.jpg
trailblazed:visibility excellent | good | intermediate | bad | horrible | no way Applies to trailblazed=*. A classification for visibility of trailblazing. See Key:trailblazed:visibility for more information.
turn left | slight_left | through | right | slight_right | merge_to_left | merge_to_right | reverse way The key turn can be used to specify the direction in which a way or a lane will lead.
Zeichen 297 - Richtungspfeile, StVO 1970.svg
width <number> way The width of a feature.
Height demonstration diagram.png
winter_road yes way A highway functions during winter, probably can't be driven in summer.
Anuisk bilibino sever66.jpg

Other highway features

highway bus_stop node A small bus stop. Optionally one may also use public_transport=stop_position for the position where the vehicle stops and public_transport=platform for the place where passengers wait.
Bus stop.12.svg
Průmyslová str3, Prague Štěrboholy.jpg
highway crossing node A.k.a. crosswalk. Pedestrians can cross a street here; e.g., zebra crossing
Zebra-crossing sm.jpg
highway cyclist_waiting_aid node Street furniture for cyclists that are intended to make waiting at esp. traffic lights more comfortable.
Cyclist footrest 01 Flickr SDOT Photos.jpg
highway elevator node way An elevator or lift, used to travel vertically, providing passenger and freight access between pathways at different floor levels.
Elevator-12.svg
Diag3.jpg
highway emergency_bay node way An area beside a highway where you can safely stop your car in case of breakdown or emergency.
France road sign C8.svg
highway emergency_access_point node Sign number which can be used to define your current position in case of an emergency. Use with ref=NUMBER_ON_THE_SIGN. See also emergency=access_point
Anfahrpunkt für Rettungsfahrzeuge HP 108 Alter Lorscher Weg 102 1235.jpg
highway give_way node A "give way," or "Yield" sign
Give way.jpg
emergency phone node A calling device can be used to tell on your current position in case of an emergency. Use with ref=NUMBER_ON_THE_SIGN
Emergency-phone.16.svg
Emergency push-button telephone, Warsaw.jpg
highway ladder nodeway A vertical or inclined set of steps or rungs intended for climbing or descending of a person with the help of hands.
Wooden ladder to the small cave, Hurkutstein.jpg
highway milestone node Highway location marker
3marcoquilometriconovo.png
highway mini_roundabout node Similar to roundabouts, but at the center there is either a painted circle or a fully traversable island. In case of an untraversable center island, junction=roundabout should be used.

Rendered as anti-clockwise by default direction=anticlockwise. To render clockwise add the tag direction=clockwise.

Mapping-Features-Mini-Roundabout.png
Mini-roundabout.jpg
highway motorway_junction node Indicates a junction (UK) or exit (US). ref=* should be set to the exit number or junction identifier. (Some roads – e.g., the A14 – also carry junction numbers, so the tag may be encountered elsewhere despite its name)
Mapnik-Motorway-Junction.png
Dscf0242 600.jpg
highway passing_place node The location of a passing space
Ausweichstelle.jpg
highway platform node way area A platform at a bus stop or station.
Rendering-highway railway platform line.png
Bayview trstwy.jpg
highway rest_area node area Place where drivers can leave the road to rest, but not refuel.
Rendering-highway-services-mapnik.jpg
Wentworth terrain.jpg
highway services node area A service station to get food and eat something, often found at motorways
Mapping Features Motorway service area.jpg
De lucht.jpg
highway speed_camera node A fixed road-side or overhead speed camera.
Speed camera.jpg
highway stop node A stop sign
STOP sign.jpg
highway street_lamp node A street light, lamppost, street lamp, light standard, or lamp standard is a raised source of light on the edge of a road, which is turned on or lit at a certain time every night
2014 Kłodzko, ul. Grottgera 14.JPG
highway toll_gantry node A toll gantry is a gantry suspended over a way, usually a motorway, as part of a system of electronic toll collection. For a toll booth with any kind of barrier or booth see: barrier=toll_booth
CR0344eRoad-MM4-TollGantry (29081629762).jpg
highway traffic_mirror node Mirror that reflects the traffic on one road when direct view is blocked.
Verkehrsspiegel.JPG
highway traffic_signals node Lights that control the traffic
Rendering-traffic singals.jpg
Ampel.jpg
highway trailhead node Designated place to start on a trail or route
Ancient Lakes Trailhead - panoramio.jpg
highway turning_circle node A turning circle is a rounded, widened area usually, but not necessarily, at the end of a road to facilitate easier turning of a vehicle. Also known as a cul de sac.
Mapping-Features-Turning-Circle.png
Turning circle.jpg
highway turning_loop node A widened area of a highway with a non-traversable island for turning around, often circular and at the end of a road.
Turning circle - geograph.org.uk - 991834.jpg
highway User Defined node way All commonly used values according to Taginfo

This table is a wiki template with a default description in English. Editable here.

International equivalence

Below is a comparison of how some of the tags are assigned in different countries. Users should consult the guide for the particular country for more details and additional tags. See Category:Projects for country specific projects and Tagging for list of country specific tagging guides.

Country motorway trunk primary secondary tertiary unclassified
Australia Motorways, freeways, and freeway-like roads.
Divided roads with 2 or 3 lanes in each direction, limited access via interchanges, no traffic lights. Generally 100 or 110 km/h speed limit. For example: Hume Freeway.
National highways; state strategic road network.
Connecting major population centres. For example Bruce Highway, Pacific Highway.
State maintained roads.
Linking major population centers to each other and to the trunk network. 'A' roads in states that have this classification.
District roads.
Generally council maintained roads linking smaller population centres to each other and to the primary network. 'B' roads in states that have this classification.
Other roads.
Linking towns, villages and Points of Interest to each other and the secondary network. 'C' roads in the states which have this classification.
Other named rural roads.
Austria File:120px-Zeichen 330.svg.png Autobahn File:120px-Zeichen 331.svg.png Schnellstraße Hauptstraße B (ehem. Bundesstraße) Landesstraße Gemeindeverbindungsstraße, Straße mit Verbindungscharakter, z.B. File:120px-Zeichen 306.svg.png in einem Wohngebiet restl. Überlandstraße

urban: in Wohngebieten -> highway=residential

Brazil This is a translation of the proposal on Guide for Mapping of the Brazillian Territories (in Portuguese) Dual carriage way of high speed. These are routes that connect urban centers with speed limit of around 100 km/h or higher. Generally have 2 lanes in each direction + shoulder. Do not have obstructions (speed calmers, lights), reducing the speed or intersection - local roads have no direct access to these roads and therefore are generally accompanied by "marginal" roads when crossing urban areas. Roads and Avenues with separate lanes. Differ from the "motorways" due to obstructions (speed calmers, light) and not separated from local traffic. Roads or main streets but not separate lanes. Outside the urban environment and generally paved. Roads are narrow but still paved with asphalt. Unpaved roads (dirt roads) N/A

highway=residential and highway=living_street to be used in residential areas.

Bulgaria автомагистрала File:AutobahnCH.png  A-1  

avtomagistrala (motorway)

първокласен път    1   
първокласен път с 4 или повече ленти, като платната са разделени с мантинела.

divided first-class roads with 4 or more lanes

първокласен път     8    

first-class roads

второкласен път    63   

second-class roads

третокласен път   637    6372 

third-class roads

всички други
селскостопанските с "track".

other roads; farm tracks as "track"

- - булевард

major through routes

главна улица

major streets

- всички други
обикновенно "residental"

other roads; or "residential"

Canada Proposal only. Actual current tagging varies across the country. Full freeways. Expressways and higher quality (speed limit, width, access control, lighting, etc.) primary roads. In undeveloped areas (Labrador, the three Territories, northern Ontario and Québec): Classifications are moved up so that the most important roads in the area are marked primary even if they do not meet the usual criteria.

Rural: Paved. 80 km/h or higher speed limit. Painted centre and side lines. Lanes at least 3.5m wide. Urban: Paved. At least 5 lanes undivided or 4 lanes divided. Carries markedly more traffic than secondary roads. Continues out of urban areas.

Rural: Paved. 70 km/h or higher speed limit. Painted centre line. Lanes at least 3m wide.

Urban: Paved. At least 3 lanes. Not designed to calm traffic. Usually arranged in a grid.

Rural: Need not be paved. 2 lanes, each at least 3m wide.

Urban: Paved. At least 2 lanes. Through route, though usually designed with minor traffic-calming features. Usually intersects with many residential roads.

All non-residential roads not meeting any of the above criteria.
Denmark Motorvej File:AutobahnCH.png

Motorway

Motortrafikveje og hovedveje med midterrabat.

Expressways and divided trunk roads

Motortrafikveje (u. midterrabat) File:No sign-MotorwayStart Singel-503.png, HovedvejeFile:Hovedvej dk.png, Primaer-ruter Primaervejnummer dk.png

Undivided expressways and trunk roads, first-class roads

Sekundaer-ruter Sekundaervejnummer dk.png

Second-class roads

- Other roads
Finland Moottoritiet File:AutobahnCH.png Moottoriliikennetiet File:Motortrafikled.png (motorroad=yes) ja Valtatiet Kantatiet Seututiet Yhdystiet Numeroimattomat yleiset tiet ja yksityiset tiet, asutusalueella highway=residential
France Autoroute (A) File:No sign-MotorwayStart Singel-503.png voie express (N) ou voie rapide Nationale (N)
ou Nationale déclassifiée en Départementale en 2006

Includes roads devolved to the départements in 2006

Départmentale (D) principale Départmentale (D) secondaire route mineure
exp. communale

Minor roads; e.g., those maintained by local communes

Germany File:120px-Zeichen 330.svg.png Autobahn Schnellstraße
gelbe Autobahnen, Auto-/Kraftfahrstraße (bei File:120px-Zeichen 331.svg.png zusätzlich motorroad=yes )

Expressways, roads with motorway-like restrictions

rural: Bundesstraße (rural)

urban: Hauptverkehrsstraße

Bundesstraße (national roads); main through routes in urban areas

Landesstraße, große Kreisstraße

urban: breite Verbndungsstraßen

Landesstraße (regional roads), major Kreisstraße (local roads); major streets

Kreisstraßen, Gemeindeverbindungsstraßen

urban: Nebenstraßen mit Verbindungscharakter. z.B. File:120px-Zeichen 306.svg.png in einem Wohngebiet

Kreisstraße, roads connecting local towns; other streets

restl. Überlandstraßen

urban: in Wohngebieten -> highway=residential

Other roads, "residential" in urban areas

Hungary File:120px-Zeichen 330.svg.png Autópálya File:120px-Zeichen 331.svg.png Autóút File:120px-Zeichen 306.svg.png Első- vagy másodrendű főút (1, 2 vagy 3 számjegyű) Összekötő út (4 számjegyű) Bekötőút vagy állomási hozzájáró út (5 számjegyű) Egyéb közút
Country motorway trunk primary secondary tertiary unclassified
Iceland Not used. Not used. Road number 1.
Used for ring road number 1. In towns used as the major, most important street (f. i. Miklabraut in Reykjavík).
Roads with two digits.
Roads with two digits. In towns major connecting streets.
Roads with three digits.
Roads with three digits.
Other roads with unknown names or without numbering.
India Freeways.
Divided roads with 2 or more lanes in each direction, limited access via interchanges, no traffic lights. Usually toll ways. For example, Golden quadrilateral, Bombay-Pune Highway, etc..
National highways.
Connecting major cities, maintained by central government (NHAI).
State highways.
Linking major population centers to each other and to the National Highways. Maintained by State government.
District roads.
Linking smaller population centres to each other and to the state highways. Major through routes within city limits.
Other roads.
Linking towns, villages. Important through routes in cities which link different localities.
Other rural roads.
Ireland motorway (blue signs) National Primary Route (green signs, N1-N33) National Secondary Route (green signs, N51 and above) Regional Roads (R101 upwards) significant minor road (useful for routing) less significant minor road
Italy File:AutobahnCH.png Autostrada (A) compresi i raccordi autostradali

Motorways, including spurs

Tangenziale/Superstrada - per le strade extraurbane principali File:120px-Zeichen 330.svg.png File:120px-Zeichen 331.svg.png aggiungere motorroad=yes

Ring roads, expressways

Strada Statale (SS)
anche le strade regionali (SR) di grande importanza, generalmente arterie importanti che collegano capoluoghi di provincia e quindi di rilevanza nazionale

SS (national roads); strategic SR (regional roads); e.g., those connecting provincial capitals

Strade provinciali (SP)
e strade regionali (SR) di minore importanza

Other SR; SP (provincial roads)

Strade che non hanno l'importanza di una provinciale però hanno larghezza di almeno 4 metrianche le strade urbane di scorrimento principale

Less important roads wider than 4 metres; major streets

livello base della rete stradale
Nota: sotto ci sono le residential (residenziale)

Everything else, "residential" in urban areas

Korea Divided, grade-separated highway with 2 or more lanes in each direction.
This includes all toll roads designated by a red and blue shield.
Divided highway without ramps.
Higher speeds. Few stop lights or stop signs.
Undivided highway without ramps.
Higher speeds. Few stop lights or stop signs.
Wide main roads with stop signs and stop lights. two lane local roads with or without center stripes not used
Lithuania Autostrada File:AutobahnCH.png Greitkelis (red signs A1, A5 and other) Magistralinis kelias (red signs) Krašto kelias (orange signs) rajoninis kelias (white signs) other roads
Netherlands Autosnelweg

Motorways

Autoweg

Other roads with motorway restrictions

N-wegen met nummers t/m 400

N-roads below N400

N-wegen met nummers groter dan 400

N-roads above N400

Grotere/doorvoer wegen

Other main roads

Overige wegen/Enkelbaans wegen buiten bebouwde kom

Other roads

Norway Stamvei: Motorvei kl A og kl B <br\ > File:No sign-MotorwayStart Duel-502.png File:No sign-MotorwayStart Singel-503.png Nation infrastructure road (Stamvei) that are not "Motorvei" , green signs, include E-roads class A and B File:No sign-Eroad.png File:No sign-NoneEroadTrunk.png National kept roads (riksvei) , white signs File:No sign-Riksvei.png County kept roads (fylkesvei) Subdivision infrastructure road &c. and County roads (fylkesvei) near larger and better roads.
Default speed limit in town: 50kph
Lowest class.
Default speed limit in town: 30kph
Poland
more details
File:No sign-MotorwayStart Duel-502.pngAutostrada.
Z niebieskim oznakowaniem, numeracją z literą A (np. A1, A2), ogrodzona itp. Droga taka powinna być dwujezdniowa (tzn. mieć wrysowane dwie nitki w przeciwnych kierunkach, każda z atrybutem "oneway" ustawionym na "yes".

Blue signs, prefix A, fenced, divided.

File:No sign-MotorwayStart Singel-503.pngDroga ekspresowa.
Droga z oznakowaniem zielonym, i numeracją z literą S np. S8. Rysowana jak wyżej.

Expressways, green signs, prefix S.

Droga krajowa (single or two digit number on red background) or another way of at least GP class

Droga krajowa (jedno lub dwucyfrowe oznaczenie na czerwonym tle) lub inna droga o klasie co najmniej GP

Droga wojewódzka (three digit number on yellow/orange background) or another way of at least G class.

Droga wojewódzka (trzycyfrowe oznaczenie na żółto-pomarańczowym tle) lub inna droga o klasie co najmniej G.

Droga powiatowa (usually no visual indication, but it has four digit number) or another way of at least Z class.

Droga powiatowa (zazwyczaj brak oznaczeń, ich numery są czterocyfrowe) lub inna droga o klasie co najmniej Z.

Other public ways; e.g., droga gminna or another class L or class D public way.

Pozostałe drogi publiczne, np. drogi gminne lub inne drogi publiczen o klasie L lub D.

Russia Россия Автомагистрали, обозначенные соответствующим знаком File:AutobahnCH.png (дороги категории 1-а)

Motorways, class 1A

Скоростные автодороги (дороги категории 1-б). Эти автодороги обязательно должны иметь разделительную полосу.

Divided highways, class 1B

Автодороги с асфальтобетонным покрытием 2-й категории (ширина полосы 3,75 метра)

Class 2, width at least 3.75 metres

Автодороги с асфальтобетонным покрытием 3-й категории (ширина полосы 3,5 метра)

Class 3, width at least 3.5 metres

Автодороги с асфальтовым покрытием 4-й категории (ширина полосы 3 метра)

Class 4, width at least 3 metres

Прочие дороги. Бетонные, гравийные: highway=unsurfaced
грунтовые: highway=track

Roads with concrete surface; gravel tracks are "unsurfaced", dirt tracks are "track"

Автомагистрали в городах (например, МКАД)

Motorways (e.g., Moscow Ring Road MKAD)

Автодороги федеральных маршрутов в городах (как правило, транзитные)

Major national roads in urban areas

Проспекты (ширина 4 полосы и более)

Large streets, 4 lanes

Основные улицы (ширина 2-4 полосы)

Main streets, generally 2-4 lanes

Местные небольшие улицы (ширина 2 полосы)

Connecting streets

Прочие дороги (проезды к домам - highway=service)

Local streets; alleyways are "service"

Country motorway trunk primary secondary tertiary unclassified
Switzerland Autobahn File:AutobahnCH.png Autostrasse File:AutostrasseCH.png Hauptstrassen mit Nummerntafel (blau mit Nummer), Transitstrasse Hauptstrasse (blau) Nebenstrasse (weiss) alles andere
autoroute autoroute de 2e classe (semi-autoroute) route de 1re classe (bleu avec numéro) route de 2e classe (bleu) route de 3e classe (blanc) chemin carossable
Slovenia avtocesta hitra cesta glavna cesta (1., 2. reda) regionalna cesta (1., 2. reda) regionalna cesta (3. reda, turistična) ostale manj pomembne ceste izven naselij
Spain File:Spain traffic signal s1.svg.png Autopistas

 Blue  signs.
e.g.,
 A-6 

Están compuestas por dos calzadas y no son cruzadas a nivel por ninguna otra vía. Se identifican por ir su referencia dentro de un recuadro azul, que se ve en las señales de preseñalización y en los puntos kilométricos.

Carretera nacional.

 Red  signs.
e.g.,
 N-330 

Suelen ser de doble sentido. Son las antiguas carreteras principales. Se identifican por ir su referencia dentro de un recuadro rojo, que se ve en las señales de preseñalización y en los puntos kilométricos. Existen casos en que pueden ser en parte autovías (en estos tramos se les añade motorroad=yes)

Carretera autonómica de 1er nivel.

 Orange  signs.
e.g.,
 M-111 

Suelen ser de doble sentido aunque, sobre todo cerca de grandes ciudades, pueden ser en parte autovías y su señalización es sobre fondo azul (en estos tramos se les añade motorroad=yes). Son carreteras importantes dentro de las Comunidades Autónomas. Se identifican por ir su referencia dentro de un recuadro naranja, que se ve en las señales de preseñalización y en los puntos kilométricos.

Carretera autonómica de 2º nivel.

 Green  or  Brown  signs.
e.g.,
 BU-627 
 BU-627 

Suelen ser de doble sentido. Son carreteras no muy importantes dentro de las Comunidades Autónomas. Se identifican por ir su referencia dentro de un recuadro verde, que se ve en las señales de preseñalización y en los puntos kilométricos.

Carretera autonómica de 3er nivel.

 Yellow  or  Purple  signs.
e.g.,
 BA-634 
 SO-P-1102 

Suelen ser de doble sentido. Son carreteras poco importantes dentro de las Comunidades Autónomas. Se identifican por ir su referencia dentro de un recuadro amarillo, que se ve en las señales de preseñalización y en los puntos kilométricos.

Carreteras asfaltadas sin denominación, fuera de poblado.
Paved roads without reference, outside a settlement.
motorroad=* is used for File:Spain traffic signal s1a.svg.png Autovías. A road is consireded an autovía if the road panels with blue background and white letters (like in autopistas/motorways), but a red, orange, green or yellow reference number (which is up and center in the overhead panels). Use the color classification for determining highway=trunk/primary/secondary/tertiary and add motorroad=yes

motorroad=* se utiliza para las autovías. Se considera que una carretera es una autovía cuando toda la señalización vertical (en concreto, los paneles indicativos) tiene fondo azul, pero el número de referencia en rojo/naranja/verde/amarillo (arriba y en el centro en los paneles indicadores). Se usa el color del número de referencia para determinar si usar highway=trunk/primary/secondary/tertiary, y se añade motorroad=yes.

Sweden Motorväg File:AutobahnCH.png Motortrafikleder File:Motortrafikled.png. Stamvägar, bl.a. alla europavägar File:No sign-Eroad.png Riksväg File:Riksvag.png Primära (skyltade) länsvägar Lansvag.png Under discussion Under discussion
United Kingdom motorway e.g.   M6     A1(M)   primary A road (green signs)   A1   non-primary A road (black/white signs)   A219   B road (black/white signs)   B2219   significant minor road (good surface, white lines) less significant minor road
United States See:United States roads tagging Divided, grade-separated highway with 2 or more lanes in each direction (i.e., a freeway).
Access by ramps only. This includes all Interstate Highways and some US and state highways. Often denoted by "Begin/End Freeway" signs.
Non-access-controlled (or non-divided, access controlled) highway connecting major cities, a major route used by trucks and for interstate trips. Often divided.
Has the state's maximum speed for most of its length. It may have occasional sections with lower speed limits in built-up areas, but more often is important enough to instead have bypasses or freeway sections (tagged as motorway) in such areas. Includes major US highways (including most US routes in Western states) and some state highways.
Major route, used for intercity but rarely for interstate trips. Forms the primary (best) route between towns. Usually 2-lane undivided for the majority of its length.
High speed in rural areas (55+ mph), sometimes slowing to go through built-up areas. This should be the minimum classification for US highways, and is the typical classification for US highways in Midwest and Eastern states and state highways in Western states. In urban areas, used for the most prominent, usually divided, arterial streets and expressways.
Other major highways. Usually has a white edge line and paved shoulders.
Including most Midwest/Eastern state highways as well as county/parish highways and some major roads without any highway number. In Western states, this is typically the minimum classification for state highways, used for short spur and loop routes serving primarily local traffic. Usually has a white edge line and paved shoulders. Also used for major urban streets, 2-4 lanes.
other arterial roads. Generally striped in the middle.
In rural areas, sometimes distinguished from more important secondary roads by lack of edge lines and shoulders. Also used for the lowest class of urban arterials.
normal minor roads, often without a center stripe; Non-residential roads used for local traffic.
Use highway=residential for local roads with residences. Use surface=* to describe the surface of a road.
United States (proposed alternative) Limited access freeway with interchanges Limited access highway with occasional grade level intersections Primary highway or arterial road
(primary routes between cities and primary arterial roads)
Secondary highway or arterial road (secondary routes between cities and secondary arterial roads) Tertiary route, major street or collector road
(tertiary routes between towns, major city streets, and collector roads)
Other road
highway=residential for local roads with residences. highway=track for non-residential unpaved roads.
Country motorway trunk primary secondary tertiary unclassified