OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in Finland

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Tracks

The same general rules apply to mapping tracks in Finland as elsewhere.

General

General tags in Finland are:

  • railway=rail
  • description=* – Description that tells which major operating points this line connects, i.e. Riihimäki–Tampere. It is best to refer to appropriate documentation when defining this.
  • name=* – Some of the lines in Finland have common names, i.e. Rantarata. Many of the lines don't have names.
  • operator=* – On state-owned railway network the operator is Väylävirasto (Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency). Note: Many tracks leading to ports and industrial facilities are privately owned. Tramways and metro have different operators as well.
  • ref=* – Route number (three digits) from Väylävirasto's referencing system, i.e. ref=123.
  • usage=main/branch – To distinguish between main and branch lines.

Gauge

State-owned railway network and connecting private tracks:

Trams:

Metro:

Electrification systems

State-owned railway network:

Trams:

Metro:

Communication systems

State-owned railway network uses VIRVE government radio network:

Main tracks

According to general practice, the usage=* key is always used on main tracks, but not the service=* key (with the exception of usage=industrial/military). In Finland, stations and yards generally have at least one main track defined by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, which is often the straightest and fastest through track. A track is always a main track when its maximum speed is at least 80 km/h.[3]

Other tracks

On other tracks, the service=* key is always used, and its values generally follow this classification:

  • service=siding – a siding equipped with departure signals (main/radio signals), and it may have a passenger platform for boarding/alighting.
  • service=yard – a yard track, i.e., a track in a railway yard that does not have main signals, but may have shunting signals.
  • service=spur – a spur line, e.g., a private track leading to a port or industrial facility.
  • service=crossover – a crossover track that allows movement from one track to another at a station or a crossover.

Drawing direction

The drawing direction of tracks in OpenStreetMap has, in principle, been set to follow the direction of increasing track kilometers (i.e., away from Helsinki). This makes it easier to define direction-dependent map features such as signals and signs, as the forward direction is always in the direction of increasing kilometers and backward is correspondingly in the direction of decreasing kilometers. This practice has not been used for tramways and the metro.

Map of the north direction of signals on the Finnish rail network. (The direction of kilometers can differ.)

Direction of traffic

On double-track or multi-track lines, the normal directions of traffic can be marked with the railway:preferred_direction key with the values forward and backward. On single-track lines, the value both can be used. The actual direction of the line is not relevant for the direction of traffic; the traffic directions are defined separately by the values of the tag. However, at terminal stations and in yards, the use of this tag is not necessary and usually not even sensible.

Train protection

With no train protection

With Junakulunvalvonta (JKV)

National system that is also known as ATP-VR/RHK.

With ERTMS/ETCS

Trackside signs

Railway signs are tagged as a node directly on the track, so there is no ambiguity as to which track the sign applies. If multiple signs of the same category are located at the same point, they are separated by a semicolon ;.

At a minimum, the following tags should be included for each sign:

  • railway=signal
  • railway:signal:position=* – Defines the sign's position relative to the direction of the track (left, right, overhead, bridge for portal, and in_track for e.g., a stop board).
  • railway:signal:direction=* – Defines which direction of traffic the sign applies to (forward, backward, or both). The directions are defined according to the direction of the OSM ways.

Additionally, more specific tags can be used:

In addition to these, sign-specific tags are used for the actual definition of the signs, which are listed below:

Speed limit signs

The following tags should be used in conjunction with speed limit signs:

Key Value Property Description Image
railway:signal:speed_limit FI:T-101 Speed limit A speed limit sign indicates the speed that begins after the sign, with the exception of a speed limit sign installed in connection with a switch. Note: The permitted speed of the unit may be higher or lower than the speed indicated on the sign for other reasons.
railway:signal:speed_limit_distant FI:T-102 Advance warning of a speed limit An advance speed limit sign means that on some route there is a speed limit sign indicating the speed according to the number.
railway:signal:speed_limit_distant FI:T-109 Additional distance plate An additional distance plate must be installed in conjunction with an advance speed limit sign to indicate the distance to the nearest speed limit sign when the advance speed limit sign is less than 1,200 m from the speed limit sign.
railway:signal:speed_limit FI:T-110 Indicated speed ends The "Indicated speed ends" sign means that the speed indicated by the preceding speed limit sign ends and the track speed returns to 35 km/h.
railway:signal:speed_limit FI:T-115 JKV speed The "JKV speed" sign means that after the sign, the speed of the unit may be at most the speed indicated by the train protection system or the ETCS onboard unit, or at most 80 km/h if the train protection system's onboard unit does not display a speed. It is not necessary to use the railway:signal:speed_limit:speed=* tag with this sign.
railway:signal:speed_limit FI:T-111, FI:T-111A, FI:T-111B or FI:T-111C Special location speed limit A special location speed limit sign means that at the location indicated on the sign, the speed of the unit may be at most the speed indicated by the sign. The speed limit ends right after passing the location indicated on the sign. This sign is used to indicate a speed of less than 10 km/h.

Electricity signs

Key Value Property Description Image
railway:signal:electricity FI:T-120 Advance warning of section insulator The advance warning sign for a section insulator is located 700–1500 m before the "Section insulator begins" sign.
railway:signal:electricity FI:T-122 Section insulator begins In addition to this, the track is tagged with railway:main_switch_off=yes for the entire insulated section.
railway:signal:electricity FI:T-123 Section insulator ends In addition to this, the track is tagged with railway:main_switch_off=yes for the entire insulated section.
railway:signal:electricity FI:T-121 Catenary ends The "Catenary ends" sign means that after the sign the catenary ends and that the pantograph must not be raised.
railway:signal:electricity FI:T-124A Lower pantograph In addition to this, the track is tagged with railway:lower_pantograph_section=yes for the entire section where the pantograph must be lowered.
railway:signal:electricity FI:T-133 Advance warning to lower pantograph The advance warning sign to lower the pantograph is used on an electrified track where the maximum speed is over 50 km/h.
railway:signal:electricity FI:T-125 Raise pantograph The "Raise pantograph" sign means that after the sign the pantograph may be raised. The sign ends the area of effect of the "Lower pantograph" sign.
railway:signal:electricity FI:T-126 Group insulator sign The group insulator sign indicates the number of the switching group behind the group insulator sign.
railway:signal:electricity FI:T-127B Dangerous voltage The "Dangerous voltage" sign can be used to indicate the beginning of the overhead line.

Milestones

Key Value Property Description Image
railway milestone Kilometer post A kilometer post indicates the point where a track kilometer begins in the direction of increasing track kilometer values. Note: The railway=signal tag cannot be used with this sign. In addition to the milestone tag, the kilometer value is marked with the railway:position=* tag.

JKV signs

Key Value Property Description Image
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-140 JKV begins (old) Sign is being phased out.
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-140A JKV begins The "JKV begins" sign means that a track equipped with the train protection system's trackside equipment begins, and for a JKV construction area, it means that the construction area ends.
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-141 JKV ends (old) Sign is being phased out.
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-141A JKV ends The "JKV ends" sign means that a track equipped with the train protection system's trackside equipment ends or a JKV construction area ends, and that after the sign the speed on that track is at most 80 km/h.
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-142 JKV construction area begins (old) Sign is being phased out.
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-142A JKV construction area begins The "JKV construction area begins" sign means that a train protection system construction area begins.
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-143 JKV construction area ends (old) Sign is being phased out. The sign T-140A is used today.
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-144 Balise group sign (old) The balise group sign is used to mark a repeat point or a fictitious point belonging to the train protection system.
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-144A FI:T-144B FI:T-144C FI:T-144D Balise group sign The balise group sign is used to mark a repeat point or a fictitious point belonging to the train protection system.
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-147 Attention sign The attention sign draws the attention of the track user.

ERTMS signs

Key Value Property Description Image
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-600A Movement authority sign The movement authority sign indicates the start or end point of a movement authority. The movement authority sign must not be passed without a movement authority or separate permission.
railway:signal:train_protection:type block_marker
ref <sign identifier>
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-602A Level transition boundary The "Level transition boundary" sign means that the ETCS level is changing or an area equipped with the ETCS is beginning.
railway:signal:train_protection FI:T-603A ETCS ends The "ETCS ends" sign means that an area equipped with the ETCS is ending.

Stop signs

Note: Not to be confused with railway=stop.

Key Value Property Description Image
railway:signal:stop FI:T-150 Stop sign (old) A stop sign can be used at a railway traffic location to indicate a point that must not be passed without separate permission.
railway:signal:stop FI:T-150B Stop sign A stop sign indicates a point that must not be passed without permission from traffic control.
railway:signal:stop FI:T-151 Stop board (old) A stop board must be used to indicate a place that must not be passed.
railway:signal:stop FI:T-151A Stop board A stop board means a point on a railway network track beyond which railway vehicles must not move.
railway:signal:stop FI:T-152 Limit of operation The "Limit of operation" sign means that from the sign onwards begins an area where railway vehicles are not currently allowed to operate.
railway:signal:stop FI:T-310 Prohibition of movement sign A prohibition of movement sign means a point on a railway network track past which certain railway vehicles are not allowed to move. An additional plate must be attached to the sign, indicating the railway vehicles to which the prohibition applies.

Operating point signs

Key Value Property Description Image
railway:signal:station_distant FI:T-164 Operating point begins The "Operating point begins" sign indicates a point where the boundary of the operating point is on the indicated track and the operating point begins.
railway:signal:station_distant FI:T-165 Operating point ends The "Operating point ends" sign indicates a point where the boundary of the operating point is on the indicated track and the operating point ends.
railway:signal:station_distant FI:T-167 Spur junction A spur junction sign means that behind it is the junction indicated by the sign.
railway:signal:station_distant FI:T-166 Advance sign of a passenger platform An advance passenger platform sign means that at the following stop or operating point there is a passenger platform or platforms, the nearest of which begins 400–800 m from the sign. The text on the sign is the name of the stop, operating point, or part of the operating point.
railway:signal:station_distant FI:Lpm1 Operating point sign (old) The sign indicates that 200–300 meters ahead there is a halt or other operating point without a main signal, which needs to be indicated by a sign. (Sign is being phased out.)

Snowplow signs

Key Value Property Description Image
railway:signal:snowplow FI:T-170A Raise blades, point obstacle (old) Sign is being phased out.
railway:signal:snowplow FI:T-170B Raise blades, area (old) Sign is being phased out.
railway:signal:snowplow FI:T-171 Raise blades point obstacle The "Raise blades point obstacle" sign means that on the track indicated by the sign, the plow blades must be raised and the wings closed for at least 30 m before and after the sign.
railway:signal:snowplow FI:T-171A Raise blades The "Raise blades" sign means that from the point indicated by the sign begins an area where the plow blades must be raised and the wings closed. The area indicated by the sign ends at the "Lower blades" sign.
railway:signal:snowplow FI:T-171B Lower blades The "Lower blades" sign means that after the sign the plow blades may be lowered and the wings opened.
railway:signal:snowplow FI:T-171-2 Close wing point obstacle The "Close wing point obstacle" sign means that on the track indicated by the sign, the wing on the side of the sign must be closed for at least 30 m before and after the sign.
railway:signal:snowplow FI:T-171A-2 Close wing The "Close wing" sign means that on the track indicated by the sign, from the sign begins an area where the plow wing on the side of the sign must be closed. The area indicated by the sign ends at the "Open wing" sign.
railway:signal:snowplow FI:T-171B-2 Open wing The "Open wing" sign means that on the track indicated by the sign, the plow wing on the side of the sign may be opened after the sign.
railway:signal:snowplow FI:T-170-v Raise blades (old) Sign is being phased out.
railway:signal:snowplow FI:T-171-v Close wings (old) Sign is being phased out.

Level crossing track circuit signs

Key Value Property Description Image
railway:signal:crossing_distant FI:T-302 Insulation sign (old) The starting direction of the insulated section is defined with the tag railway:signal:direction=*.
railway:signal:crossing_distant FI:T-302A Insulation sign The starting direction of the insulated section is defined with the tag railway:signal:direction=*.

Stopping position and train composition signs

See also the stop positions for trains at stations and halts.

Stopping position sign indicates the stopping place for a long-distance passenger train in relation to the passenger platform. The number or combination of numbers on the sign indicates the total length of the train in hundreds of metres to which the sign applies. The numbers 1–5 or the letter P are used on stopping position signs. The sign may also have a directional arrow to indicate the track to which the sign applies.

Train composition sign indicates the stopping place for a commuter train in relation to the passenger platform. The number or combination of numbers on the sign indicates the train composition to which the sign applies. It is up to the train operating company to decide which compositions the numbers apply to. The numbers 1–4 or the letter P are used on train composition signs. The sign may also have a directional arrow to indicate the track to which the sign applies.

Key Value Property Description
railway:signal:stop FI:T-270A FI:T-270B FI:T-270C FI:T-270D Stopping position sign The number on the sign indicates the stopping place for trains depending on the total length.
railway:signal:stop FI:T-271A FI:T-271B FI:T-271C FI:T-271D Stopping position sign The number combination on the sign indicates the stopping place for trains depending on the total length.
railway:signal:stop FI:T-272A FI:T-272B FI:T-272C FI:T-272D Stopping position sign The letter P on the sign indicates the point at which to stop, unless there is another sign concerning the unit in question.
railway:signal:stop FI:T-273A FI:T-273B FI:T-273C FI:T-273D Train composition sign The number on the sign indicates the stopping place for commuter trains depending on the consist.
railway:signal:stop FI:T-274A FI:T-274B FI:T-274C FI:T-274D Train composition sign The number combination on the sign indicates the stopping place for commuter trains depending on the consist.
railway:signal:stop FI:T-275A FI:T-275B FI:T-275C FI:T-275D Train composition sign The letter P on the sign indicates the point at which a commuter train must stop, unless there is another sign concerning the unit in question.

Approach sign

Key Value Property Description Image
railway:signal:distant FI:T-301A Approach sign The approach sign indicates the distance to a main signal protecting a operating point that does not have a distant signal.

Whistle board

Key Value Property Description Image
railway:signal:whistle FI:vihellysmerkki Whistle board The whistle board has been officially discontinued. However, it is still in use at least on the Porvoo museum railway.

End of train's route

The "End of train's route" sign means that a train must not pass the sign without permission or the aspect "Proceed with caution" from the shunting signal associated with the sign, when the train has been given advance information that the route ends at the "End of train's route" sign.

Radio signal

An "End of train's route" sign equipped with balises, i.e., a so-called fictitious signal, which functions in a radio communications based control area like a main signal without any visible aspects.

Signals

The basic principle for signals is that the signal type and signal system are defined with the railway:signal:*=FI:* tag, where the first asterisk is replaced by the signal's category and the latter asterisk by the signal's type. The number of light units, in turn, is defined with the tag railway:signal:*:states=*. This is particularly important for main and combined signals, where the number of light units and thus the number of aspects that can be displayed varies.

Signals are marked as a node directly on the track, so there is no ambiguity as to which track the aspects given by the signal apply. If a signal is located at the junction of two lines, both lines must be in the same direction.

At a minimum, the following tags should be included for all signals:

  • railway=signal
  • railway:signal:position=* Defines the signal's position relative to the direction of the track (left, right, overhead and bridge, e.g., in a signal portal).
  • railway:signal:direction=* Defines which direction of traffic the aspect applies to (forward or backward). The directions are defined according to the direction of the OSM ways.
  • ref=* The unique identifier of the signal, e.g., P571.

Additionally, more specific tags can be used:

Main signal

If a main signal and a distant signal for the same direction of traffic are located on the same post, the tags describing both signals are added to the same node.

Key Value Signal aspects Description Image
railway:signal:main FI:Po railway:signal:main:states=FI:Po0;FI:Po1 Two-light main signal (stop, proceed)
railway:signal:main FI:Po railway:signal:main:states=FI:Po0;FI:Po1;FI:Po2 Three-light main signal (stop, proceed, proceed 35)
railway:signal:main FI:Po railway:signal:main:states=FI:Po0;FI:Po2 Three-light main signal that can only show the aspects stop and proceed 35 (e.g., departure signals on sidings).
railway:signal:main FI:Po-v railway:signal:main:states=FI:Po0;FI:Po1 Two-light old system main signal (stop, proceed)
railway:signal:main FI:Po-v railway:signal:main:states=FI:Po0;FI:Po1;FI:Po2 Three-light old system main signal (stop, proceed, proceed 35)

Esiopastin

If a distant signal is located on the same post as a main signal, it is dark when the main signal shows the stop aspect. In this case, FI:Eo- (dark) is added to railway:signal:distant:states=* in addition to other possible aspects.

Key Value Signal aspects Description Image
railway:signal:distant FI:Eo railway:signal:distant:states=FI:Eo0;FI:Eo1;FI:Eo2 Distant signal (expect stop, expect proceed, expect proceed 35), followed by a three-light main signal.
railway:signal:distant FI:Eo railway:signal:distant:states=FI:Eo0;FI:Eo1 Distant signal (expect stop, expect proceed), followed by a protection signal or a two-light main signal.
railway:signal:distant FI:Eo railway:signal:distant:states=FI:Eo0;FI:Eo2 Distant signal (expect stop, expect proceed 35), where the following main signal can only show the aspects stop and proceed 35.
railway:signal:distant FI:Eo-v railway:signal:distant:states=FI:Eo0;FI:Eo1;FI:Eo2 Old system distant signal (expect stop, expect proceed, expect proceed 35)

Combined signal

In combined signals, the number of light units can vary greatly, so tagging railway:signal:*:states=* is even more important. A combined signal can also function only as a main, distant, or shunting signal, in which case it is tagged according to its purpose in either the main, distant, or shunting category. If the signal belongs to more than one of the above categories by its purpose, it is tagged as combined. New combined signals will not be installed.

The different combined signal models are listed below.

Key Value Signal aspects Description Image
railway:signal:combined FI:Yo railway:signal:combined:states=FI:Po0;FI:Po1;FI:Po2;FI:Eo0;FI:Eo1 Combined signal that can show the aspects stop, proceed, proceed 35, expect stop, and expect proceed.
railway:signal:combined FI:Yo railway:signal:combined:states=FI:Po0;FI:Po1;FI:Eo0;FI:Eo1 Combined signal that can show the aspects stop, proceed, expect stop, and expect proceed.

Block signal

Key Value Signal aspects Description Image
railway:signal:combined FI:So railway:signal:combined:states=FI:Po0;FI:Po1;FI:Eo0;FI:Eo1 Block signal (stop, proceed/expect stop, proceed)

Shunting signal

Key Value Signal aspects Description Image
railway:signal:shunting FI:Ro railway:signal:shunting:states=FI:Ro0;FI:Ro1;FI:Ro2 Shunting signal (stop, proceed with caution, no aspect)
railway:signal:shunting FI:Ro railway:signal:shunting:states=FI:Ro0;FI:Ro1 Shunting signal that can only show the aspects stop and proceed with caution
railway:signal:shunting FI:Ro railway:signal:shunting:states=FI:Ro0;FI:Ro2 Shunting signal that can only show the aspects stop and no aspect
railway:signal:shunting FI:Ro-v railway:signal:shunting:states=FI-v:Ro0;FI-v:Ro1;FI-v:Ro2;FI-v:Ro3 Old system shunting signal (stop, proceed with caution, no aspect, proceed)

Movable bridge signal

Key Value Signal aspects Description Image
railway:signal:minor FI:Lo railway:signal:minor:states=FI:Lo0;FI:Lo1 Movable bridge signal (stop, no aspect)

Level crossing signal

Key Value Signal aspects Description Image
railway:signal:crossing FI:To railway:signal:crossing:states=FI:To0;FI:To1 Level crossing signal (approach with caution, no aspect)

Repeaters

Repeater signals are currently in use only at Helsinki Central Railway Station.

Key Value Signal aspects Description Image
railway:signal:main_repeated FI:Ko railway:signal:main_repeated:states=FI:Ko0;FI:Ko1 Repeater (expect stop, expect proceed).

Humping signal

Key Value Signal aspects Description Image
railway:signal:humping FI:Jo railway:signal:humping:states=FI:Jo0;FI:Jo1;FI:Jo2;FI:Jo3;FI:Jo4;FI:Jo- Humping signal (stop, pull, push slowly, push, push hard, dark)

For signals other than main, distant, combined, and shunting signals, the use of the railway:signal:*:states=* tag is not essential, as the signals are identical to each other.

Example images

Image Tagging
Level crossing
Old system main and distant signal + shunting signal
Main and distant signal combination
Combined signal
Block signal, kilometer post and speed limit sign

Additionally as a separate node:

Additionally as a separate node:

Derailer

Additionally as a separate node:

Remotely operated switch
Hand-operated switch

Usage of network and operator keys

In passenger traffic there is only one company, VR, so network-key should have value VR. In Helsinki region HSL and in Tampere region Nysse are used as well. Delimited by ;.

Tracks and stations are owned by Finnish Transport Infrasturcture Agency (Väylävirasto), so operator-key should have value Väylävirasto.

Links

Open data

References

  1. ↑ https://vayla.fi/vaylista/rataverkko
  2. ↑ https://kaupunkiliikenne.fi/liikennointi/metrolla/rata-ja-varikko/
  3. ↑ Ratatekniset ohjeet (RATO) osa 7 Rautatieliikennepaikat, Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, 2021, p. 13.
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