Tag:emergency:waiting_area=yes
 emergency:waiting_area = yes
|
 |
| Description |
|---|
| Designated civil protection waiting area for population gathering after evacuation. |
| Group: emergencies |
| Used on these elements |
    |
| Useful combination |
Status: approved
|
| Tools for this tag |
Areas where the population temporarily gathers after evacuation.
Civil protection areas are formally designated locations used by authorities to manage emergencies. These sites are not chosen "on the fly" during an event; they are identified in advance within Municipal Emergency Plans and are often marked with permanent physical signage.
A core principle of these areas is their structural resilience: they are "on-the-ground" open spaces (such as parks, squares, surface parking lots, or athletic fields) specifically selected because they lack complex structures that could collapse. Furthermore, they are established as safe zones, located far from flood-prone rivers, landslide risks, or high-rise buildings that could pose a threat during a disaster.
How to map
This tag act as an Operational Overlay. They describe an official designation that takes effect during an emergency, while the physical area continues to serve its primary purpose in everyday life.
1. Mapping the Functional Area (Overlay)
The emergency tag should be added to the existing polygon that represents the physical area.
- Public park → waiting area:
leisure=park+emergency:waiting_area=yes - Sports field → camp site:
leisure=pitch+emergency:camp_area=yes - Parking lot → staging area:
amenity=parking+emergency:staging_area=rescue
2. Mapping the Physical Signage (Node)
Physical signs are mapped as nodes at the exact signpost location:
man_made=signemergency:waiting_area=yes(or relevant function)operator=*(Municipality)ref=*(sign code)
3. Multi-functional Areas
One polygon, multiple roles:
No overlapping geometries needed.
Tagging
| Key | Value | Element | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
emergency:waiting_area=* |
yes |   |
Area where the population temporarily gathers after evacuation, prior to transfer to shelters. | Often marked as "Safe Waiting Area" (e.g., "Area di Attesa" in Italy). |
Examples
The following examples demonstrate how to map the "Operational Overlay" on existing real-world features (Castelfranco Veneto, Italy).
| Function | Peacetime Context | Mapping Strategy | Image | Real-world Links | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waiting Area |
A public park / playground. | 1. The Area: Add overlay to park polygon. |
|
1471930944 1471930944
|
leisure=parkemergency:waiting_area=yes
|
| 2. The Sign: Node at sign location. | 12394706936 12394706936
|
man_made=signemergency:waiting_area=yesref=A
|
Comparison Table
| Tag | Scale | Context | What's Available | Expected Duration | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
emergency=assembly_point |
Micro (single building/complex) | Fire drill, building evacuation | Roll-call by staff, no supplies | Minutes to hours | Immediate safety from building hazard |
emergency:waiting_area=* |
Macro (district/neighborhood) | Civil protection plan, formal designation | Holding position, coordination info; no guaranteed supplies | Hours to days | Wait for instructions/transport |
emergency=disaster_help_point |
Variable (community level) | Disaster coordination point | Information, alerts, drinking water, first aid, shelter (when activated) | During disaster event | Receive relief services |
See Proposal:Civil Protection Areas for full details.