Proposal:Generalized directions

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Generalized directions
Proposal status: Draft (under way)
Proposed by: Kovposch
Draft started: 2026-04-27

Proposal

Namespaced destination:*=* based on the usual features/attributes *=*

Rationale

Problems

  1. Applications have to add support for each destination:symbol=* individually
  2. New destination:symbol=* are impossible to be supported immediately
  3. Applications must think again or manually pair an icon for the destination:symbol=*
  4. Val naming is reinvented on top of existing tags
    1. destination:symbol=park_and_ride vs park_ride=*
    2. destination:symbol=shopping_centre vs shop=mall
    3. destination:symbol=youth_hostel vs tourism=hostel
    4. destination:symbol=ev_charge vs amenity=charging_station
    5. destination:symbol=bnb_rental vs tourism=guest_house
    6. destination:symbol=info vs tourism=information
    7. destination:symbol=wifi vs internt_access=wlan
    8. |destination:symbol=golf_court vs leisure=golf_course
  5. Some duplicates/overlaps, conflicting/messy logic, poor naming, intuitive meaning, or different definition
    1. destination:symbol=swimming : "an outdoor swimming pool" not leisure=swimming_area or swimming=* allowed, not including destination:symbol=swimming_hall indoors
    2. destination:symbol=aerialway vs destination:symbol=cable_car : Synonym, or subset?
    3. destination:symbol=bus_station vs destination:symbol=bus : Synonym, or the latter means for buses ( destination:access:bus=designated )?
    4. destination:symbol=snack_bar : "a snack bar, kiosk, pub or a bar" and coffee shops?
    5. destination:symbol=camp_site vs destination:symbol=tent_site vs destination:symbol=caravan_site : Template:Tourism mainly for tents while it may allow caravan. tourism=caravan_site may allow tents.
    6. destination:symbol=lodging : "a hotel" only
  6. Multiple features/attributes are bunched together for the same symbol, disorganized and unscalable
    1. Different features
      1. destination:symbol=fuel_ev
      2. destination:symbol=ev_charge_lpg
    2. Sub-attribute
      1. destination:symbol=soccer_stadium
      2. destination:symbol=swimming_hall
      3. destination:symbol=recycling_centre
  7. Different patterns are used
    1. destination:symbol=hospital_with_emergencies vs destination:symbol=parking_truck vs destination:symbol=covered_parking vs destination:symbol=emergency_phone
    2. destination:symbol=train_station vs destination:symbol=subway
  8. Users have to check the destination:symbol=* list to know what to use
  9. Semantically unusable for text-only signage without symbols (ref Proposal:Tagging_scheme_for_advisory_access_restriction_signage_on_destination_signs )
  10. Long destination:symbol=* are resulted from semicolon, risking too long for 255char limit in destination:symbol:lanes=*
  11. Fallen behind new schemas Proposal:Tagging_scheme_for_advisory_access_restriction_signage_on_destination_signs , Proposal:Markers_subject_refinement

Vision

  1. Applications can support destination:*=* from the *=* feature based on
  2. New destination:*=* can be supported when the *=* feature/attribute is
  3. destination:*=* can fall back to the *=* feature/attribute icon easily as they are matched
  4. Val naming follows existing tags
  5. Logical combinations
  6. Separated tags are used as standard
  7. Same pattern is used
  8. Users can add destination:*=* following the original *=* they know
  9. Can be used for text-only signage
  10. destination:*=* are split into different features and attributes to be more readable, maintainable, and storable
  11. Consistent with destination:access:*=* , indication:*=* , etc

Tagging

Facilities

Existing New Symbol examples United States Canada France Leading to
destination:symbol=aerialway

destination:symbol=cable_car

destination:aerialway=cable_car a skylift, aerialway or overhead tramway
destination:symbol=airport destination:aeroway=aerodrome an airport
destination:symbol=bus_station
-- or --
destination:symbol=bus
destination:amenity=bus_station a bus station
destination:symbol=castle destination:historic=castle a castle
destination:symbol=centre [TBD] the centre of the city
destination:symbol=camp_site destination:tourism=camp_site
(these symbols can be separately mapped; see below)
a camp site, indifferently for tents and caravans
destination:symbol=tent_site destination:tourism=camp_site + destination:caravan=no ? a camping site for tents
destination:symbol=caravan_site destination:tourism=caravan_site + destination:tents=no ? a camping site for caravans
destination:symbol=church
  1. ( destination:amenity=place_of_worship +) destination:religion=christian
  2. destination:building=church
  3. destination:place_of_worship=church
a (highway-side) church
destination:symbol=ferry destination:amenity=ferry_terminal a pier for ferries
destination:symbol=food destination:amenity=restaurant / destination:restaurant=yes , etc a restaurant or food services
destination:symbol=fuel destination:amenity=fuel / destination:fuel=yes a general fuel station
destination:symbol=fuel_cng ( destination:amenity=fuel +) destination:fuel:cng=yes a fuel station that offers CNG (compressed natural gas)
destination:symbol=fuel_diesel ( destination:amenity=fuel +) destination:fuel:diesel=yes a fuel station that offers diesel
destination:symbol=fuel_e85 ( destination:amenity=fuel +) destination:fuel:e85=yes a fuel station that offers E85
destination:symbol=fuel_ev destination:amenity=charging_station a fuel station that offers EV (electric vehicle charging)
destination:symbol=fuel_lpg ( destination:amenity=fuel +) destination:fuel:lpg=yes a fuel station that offers LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)
destination:symbol=golf_court destination:leisure=golf_course a golf court
destination:symbol=harbour [TBD] a harbour
destination:symbol=historic destination:historic=* / destination:heritage=* a heritage/historic site
destination:symbol=hospital destination:amenity=hospital (+ destination:healthcare=hospital ) (mandatory distinction between hospitals with and without emergency department; see below) a hospital
destination:symbol=hospital_with_emergencies destination:amenity=hospital + destination:emergency=yes / destination:emergency=hospital a hospital with an emergency department
destination:symbol=hospital_without_emergencies destination:amenity=hospital + destination:emergency=no [TBC] a hospital without emergency department
destination:symbol=industrial destination:landuse=industrial (+ destination:industrial=industrial_park [TBC]) a industrial area or business park
destination:symbol=info destination:tourism=information (+ destination:information=office ) information services or tourist information
destination:symbol=car_shuttle_train [TBD] a station for a Car shuttle train
destination:symbol=railroad_freight_terminal [TBD] a railroad freight terminal for trucks, where trucks (or only their freight containers) are loaded onto/unloaded from a train
destination:symbol=train_station destination:station=train / destination:train=yes a train station for passenger traffic
destination:symbol=subway

destination:symbol=tram destination:symbol=lightrail

(+ destination:railway=station ) destination:subway=yes / / destination:station=subway vs destination:tram=yes / destination:railway=tram_stop vs (+ destination:railway=station ) destination:light_rail=yes / destination:station=light_rail a subway / tram / lightrail station
destination:symbol=interchange destination:junction=interchange a motorway interchange
destination:symbol=motorway [TBD] a motorway
destination:symbol=motorroad [TBD] a motorroad (from german wiki page)
destination:symbol=motorway_junction destination:highway=motorway_junction [TBC] A motorway junction / exit.
destination:symbol=lodging destination:tourism=hotel (/ Template:TaG [if icon isn't only tourism=hotel , eg tourism=motel ) a hotel
destination:symbol=mosque a mosque.
destination:symbol=parking destination:amenity=parking / destination:parking=yes a (significant) parking space
destination:symbol=parking_truck destination:amenity=parking + destination:access:motor_vehicle=no + destination:access:hgv=designated a truck parking area
destination:symbol=covered_parking ( destination:amenity=parking ) + destination:parking=carports etc a (significant) covered parking space
destination:symbol=park_and_ride destination:park_ride=* a park and ride space
destination:symbol=phone destination:amenity=phone a public payphone
destination:symbol=emergency_phone destination:emergency=phone an emergency phone
destination:symbol=police destination:amenity=police a police station
destination:symbol=soccer_stadium destination:leisure=stadium + destination:sport=soccer a soccer stadium
destination:symbol=stadium destination:leisure=stadium a stadium
destination:symbol=swimming destination:leisure=swimming_pool (+ eg destination:outdoor=only ) an outdoor swimming pool
destination:symbol=swimming_hall
  1. destination:leisure=swimming_pool (+ eg destination:indoor=yes )
  2. destination:leisure=sports_hall + destination:sport=swimming
an indoor swimming pool
destination:symbol=TDD [TBD] a TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf)
destination:symbol=toilets destination:amenity=toilets toilets
destination:symbol=wifi destination:internet_access=wlan a public wifi spot
destination:symbol=freight_village [TBD] A freight village (German wikipedia link).
destination:symbol=rest_area destination:highway=rest_area A facility set up for drivers just off a highway, such as a rest area or truck stop, and which may be as simple as a parking area. In Germany, the tag is reserved for Raststätte, facilities that are not connected to local roads.
destination:symbol=truck_stop [TBD] A facility set up for drivers just off a highway, but especially intended for large trucks. In Germany, the tag is reserved for Autohof/Rasthof, facilities that are not connected directly to the highway and must be accessed via local roads
destination:symbol=monitored_parking destination:amenity=parking + destination:surveillance=yes a parking space under CCTV
destination:symbol=wheelchair destination:wheelchair=yes a wheelchair-accessible facility
destination:symbol=youth_hostel destination:tourism=hostel a youth hostel
destination:symbol=picnic_site destination:tourism=picnic_site a picnic site
destination:symbol=car_repair destination:amenity=car_repair a garage (car repair shop)
destination:symbol=ev_charge destination:amenity=charging_station an EV charging station
destination:symbol=ev_charge_lpg destination:amenity=charging_station (+ destination:amenity=fuel ) + destination:fuel:lpg=yes an EV charging station also offering GPL filling
destination:symbol=national_park destination:boundary=national_park a national park
destination:symbol=nature_reserve destination:leisure=nature_reserve a nature reserve
destination:symbol=world_heritage_site destination:heritage=1 a World Heritage Site
destination:symbol=museum destination:tourism=museum a museum
destination:symbol=bnb_rental destination:tourism=guest_house + destination:guest_house=bed_and_breakfast an individual lodging (BnB, rental… not an hotel)
destination:symbol=viewpoint destination:tourism=viewpoint a viewpoint
destination:symbol=leisure_centre destination:leisure=sports_centre ? [TBC] an outdoor leisure centre
destination:symbol=horse_riding destination:leisure=horse_riding a horse-related feature (briddleway, equestrian facility…)
destination:symbol=beach destination:natural=beach (+ destination:leisure=beach_resort ) a beach
destination:symbol=slipway destination:leisure=slipway a slipway
destination:symbol=nordic_ski destination:piste_type=nordic a nordic ski station
destination:symbol=alpine_ski destination:piste_type=alphine an alpine ski station
destination:symbol=cemetery destination:landuse=cemetery a cemetery
destination:symbol=war_cemetery (destination:landuse=cemetery ) + eg destination:war_cemetery=yes [Upstream problem] a war cemetery
destination:symbol=hiking ( destination:highway=trailhead +) destination:hiking=yes 2011 :

2002 :
a hiking tour starting point
destination:symbol=recycling_centre ( destination:amenity=recycling +) destination:recycling_type=centre a recycling centre
destination:symbol=snack_bar [TBD] vs destination:shop=kiosk / destination:kiosk=yes vs destination:amenity=pub / / destination:pub=yes vs destination:amenity=bar / / destination:bar=yes vs destination:amenity=cafe / / destination:cafe=yes a snack bar, kiosk, pub or a bar
destination:symbol=village_relais [TBD] a village étape or village relais (small town along a main road, providing services to travellers)
destination:symbol=drinking_water destination:amenity=drinking_water / destination:drinking_water=yes [may include man_made=water_point ?] a drinking water point
destination:symbol=motorhome destination:access:motorhome=designated a motorhome amenity, often with a sanitary_dump_station
destination:symbol=atm destination:atm=yes / destination:amenity=atm an ATM
destination:symbol=local_products [TBD] a shop selling local products
destination:symbol=wine destination:shop=wine a shop selling wine and related products
destination:symbol=footway destination:highway=footway a footway
destination:symbol=steps destination:highway=steps / destination:steps=yes a footway, mostly unpassable by disabled persons, typically steps
destination:symbol=shopping_centre destination:shop=mall a shopping centre, a mall
destination:symbol=car_sharing destination:amenity=car_sharing a car sharing station
destination:symbol=car_pooling destination:amenity=car_pooling a car pooling spot
destination:symbol=detour_route destination:detour=* [TBC] a detour route
destination:symbol=ring_road [TBD] a ring road
destination:symbol=toll destination:toll=yes a road which use requires paying a fee
more to come... For example: (if you tag these symbols think of expanding this wiki page!!!)

Assembling signs

Specific constructs of symbols could be destination:traffic_sign=* / destination:traffic_sign:id=* to follow traffic_sign=*

Multilingual

Avoiding collision with destination:to=* has forced the use of destination:lang:*=* inconsistent with general OSM. destination:name:*=* can be used, or a workaround can be using destination:en-US=* by adding a country code to pretend it's a locale. [TBC]

Examples

Example Existing New Note
Panneau destination=Auberge du Saut des Cuves

destination:symbol=lodging,food

There may be cases where several symbols are used for a single destination; in such cases, the custom seems to be to use a comma to separate the values:
destination=Lille;Turnhout;Kasterlee;Bobbejaanland;Netepark;A.Z. Sint-Elisabeth;Centrum;P-route


destination:colour=;;;red;red;white;white;white

destination:int_ref:to=E34

destination:ref=N152;N123

destination:symbol=none;none;none;park;sports_centre;hospital;none;none

destination:sport=* may be considered if an icon is generic, not necessarily leisure=sports_centre

destination=Bodegraven;Alphen a/d Rijn;Leiden

destination:symbol=;;;parking,fuel,food,lodging destination:ref=N11

Symbols for the parking, fuel, restaurant and hotel are present.

Rendering

Features/Pages affected

  • destination:symbol=* : Can be kept for compatibility, as established shortcut, or changed to sign id; but not recommended to be added

External discussions

Comments

Please comment on the discussion page.