Tag:highway=pedestrian

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Public-images-osm logo.svg highway = pedestrian
Cambridge Rd - geograph.org.uk - 1189572.jpg
Description
Roads mainly / exclusively for pedestrians Show/edit corresponding data item.
Rendering in OSM Carto
Pedestrian with area osm.png
Rendering in OSM Carto area
Highway pedestrian footway path area.png
Group: highways
Used on these elements
should not be used on nodesmay be used on waysmay be used on areas (and multipolygon relations)should not be used on relations (except multipolygon relations)
Useful combination
See also
Status: approvedPage for proposal

A highway=pedestrian is a road or an area mainly or exclusively for pedestrians in which some vehicle traffic may be authorized (e.g. emergency, taxi, delivery, ...). Often found in shopping areas, town centres, places with tourism attractions and recreation/civic areas, where wide expanses of hard surface are provided for pedestrians to walk, but also may be found in residential communities designed to be navigated primarily by foot.

In English-speaking countries, "mews style" housing is a term which may be used to describe urban residential developments which are fronted on a pedestrian street. This term originates from British urban residential areas which were developed to cater to horse and carriage transportation prior to the proliferation of the automobile. In the present day, the term "mews" can be seen in both older communities which have kept their historic name, and in newer communities designed to resemble those pre-automobile developments. The newer developments are often associated with the New Urbanism movement in urban planning. Contemporary mews style housing can take on many different forms and functions, and can be observed in social housing developments, communities designed for the elderly, and private gated communities, for example. Terraced houses are particularly common in "mews style" communities. Note that the presence of the term "mews" in a street, building, or community name is not necessarily an indicator of the current housing and street style in itself, as its use could be a historical holdover that has persisted after the built environment has changed, or a reflection of the whims of a developer unconcerned with the specificity of the description.

In American and Australian English, some pedestrian streets, particularly those located in commercial areas, may be referred to as pedestrian malls.

How to map

To map a pedestrianised road nothing other than a simple way is required. Add the highway=pedestrian tag to it and a name=* where applicable to make it complete. Some mappers use this tag only on wider streets which may theoretically be wide enough for other vehicles, although what is and isn't a pedestrian street as opposed to a foot path likely varies in definition relative to region.

Squares and plazas

An area (closed way or multipolygon) tagged with highway=pedestrian + area=yes is the most common way to map the pedestrian area of a square or plaza, where pedestrians can travel freely in all directions. If there are roads passing through the area of the square, map them as usual and make connecting nodes at all intersections with the pedestrian area. Also other paths such as highway=footway as well as roads have to connect with the edge of the pedestrian area where they intersect. [However, note that few routers will route through the area, most will route around the edge of it.]

If there are features or areas within the square or plaza which are not part of the walkable pedestrian area, these should be excluded by creating a multipolygon relation.

Also see the tag place=square for named squares which might include other features, use the pedestrian tag for actual pedestrian areas only. Add a node at the centre of the square or draw the way at the outer limits of the pedestrian area, possibly even connecting with surrounding walls, fences, buildings, etc.

Vehicle access

Vehicles may be allowed during special hours to unload merchandise, but are often prevented from entering by bollards.

Cycling may be allowed, depending on the country or local restrictions. This can be specified with bicycle=yes or bicycle=no.

Country specific

Italy

In Italy, access for bicycles to pedestrian areas is allowed by default.[1] If you are mapping in Italy, you are encouraged to explicitly state bicycle=* when mapping highway=pedestrian in order to avoid ambiguity.

France

In France, access for bicycles to pedestrian areas is allowed in both directions, unless otherwise stipulated by the police authority, on condition that they maintain a walking pace and do not hinder pedestrians.[2] Access conditions can be specified to avoid ambiguity.

Examples

Photo Tags OSM-Carto
Infotafel - Lloydpassage (Lage).jpg highway=pedestrian
name=Lloydpassage
Pedestrian with area osm.png

Valladolid-plaza.jpg highway=pedestrian
area=yes
name=Weyher Marktplatz
place=square
Mapnik area pedestrian.png
Ettlingen Fußgängerzone.jpg highway=pedestrian
access:conditional=delivery @ (00:00-11:00)
bicycle=yes
Ped-Street-Sign.jpeg highway=pedestrian
name=The Moorings
motorcar=destination
motorcycle=destination
Highway=pedestrian on cemetery.JPG highway=pedestrian
noname=yes
Cases like this might also be tagged as a footway or a path, depending on the local community’s standards
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=19/50.09722/19.97816
Gågade - Kørsel tilladt.jpg highway=pedestrian
name=Fiskergade
vehicle=yes
note="Gågade" Pedestrian street with "Kørsel tilladt" vehicles allowed. Driving is allowed here, but (tourist)pedestrians are prioritized higher, so motorists basically can't expect to move faster than the pedestrian in front of them.

Similar to highway=living_street, but slightly stricter on vehicles.

References

See also