Proposed features/Extend post box

extended post box tags
Status:	Abandoned (inactive)
Proposed by:	Vclaw
Tagging:	amenity=post_box
Applies to:
Definition:	extra details for post box types and mail types
Rendered as:
Draft start:	2010-07-07
RFC start:	2010-08-05
Vote start:
Vote end:

Proposal

This is a proposal for tagging extra details of post boxes. See amenity=post_box for tags currently used.

Postboxes can be useful landmarks for navigation, so it can be helpful to know what sort of postbox it is. Also, it is useful to know what mail types are accepted if you want to find the nearest postbox to post something.

This is currently a proposal, suggestions for changes or additional tags and values is welcome. There has previously been some discussion of additional tags on the Talk:Tag:amenity=post_box page, and on the forum. Please use the discussion page for comments.

A custom preset file for JOSM including all of these tags is available at: http://osmalba.org/josm_styles/postbox_presets.xml

Tagging

Tags currently in use

• amenity=post_box
  • operator=* - company name
  • brand=* - trade name of the post service
  • ref=* - if the post box has a reference number
  • collection_times=* - times mail is collected from the post box

Proposed tags

Post box type

• post_box:type=*

The physical style (size/shape) of the post box, and how it is mounted.

Value	Description	Example picture
pillar	A freestanding box, usually cylindrical in shape. wikipedia:pillar box
lamp	Attached to a pole or lamp post, smaller than a pillar box wikipedia:lamp box
wall	A box set into a wall wikipedia:wall box
meter	A box for meter mail only. Usually larger than a standard pillar box, and square. The aperture may be lockable, and only open at certain times (see opening hours section).

Apertures

• post_box:apertures=*

The number of apertures / slots on the post box. These may separate slots for different types of mail. The value should be a number. This is assumed to be 1 if not otherwise specified.

tag	example picture
post_box:apertures=2

Mail type and class

The type and class of mail accepted in the post box. If not specified, this is assumed to be any type and class of mail, stamped and metered.

Tag	Values	Description
mail:stamped=*	yes/no	stamped mail accepted
mail:meter=*	yes/no	meter mail / franked mail accepted
mail:1st_class=*	yes/no	1st class mail accepted
mail:2nd_class=*	yes/no	2nd class mail accepted

Royal cypher

• royal_cypher=*

The monarch's initials or symbol. Usually found in the UK and other Commonwealth realms. This tag could also be used for other objects that have a royal cypher displayed, eg post office buildings.

Value	Description	Example picture
VR	Victoria (1837 to 1901)
EVIIR	Edward VII (1901 to 1910)
GR	George V (1910 to 1936)
EVIIIR	Edward VIII (1936) Very few EVIIIR postboxes exist.
GVIR	George VI (1936 to 1952)
EIIR	Elizabeth II (1952 to present). Note: usually not used on postboxes in Scotland, instead they have an image of the crown of Scotland.
no	(default) no royal cypher visible on the box

Opening hours

• opening_hours=*

If the postbox is only open or only accessible at certain times, it can be tagged with the opening hours. See that page for details of the syntax. This includes most Royal Mail meter mail postboxes.

Indoor postboxes

• indoor=yes

If the postbox is inside a building, it can be tagged with indoor=yes. If possible, the building outline can be mapped as an area, and tagged with building=yes, plus other tags as appropriate. This implies the post box is only accessible during the times the building is open.