Proposal:Generalized directions

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	( destination:amenity=place_of_worship +) destination:religion=christian destination:building=church 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	( destination:amenity=place_of_worship +) destination:religion=islam (+ destination:place_of_worship=mosque ) destination:building=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	destination:leisure=swimming_pool (+ eg destination:indoor=yes ) 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
	destination=Auberge du Saut des Cuves destination:symbol=lodging,food	destination=Auberge du Saut des Cuves destination:tourism=hotel destination:amenity=restaurant / destination:restaurant=yes	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=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:leisure=none;none;none;park;sports_centre;none;none;none destination:amenity=none;none;none;none;none;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	destination=Bodegraven;Alphen a/d Rijn;Leiden destination:ref=N11 destination:amenity=;;;parking,fuel,restaurant (/ destination:parking=;;;yes + destination:fuel=;;;yes + destination:restaurant=;;;yes ) destination:tourism=;;;hotel	Symbols for the parking, fuel, restaurant and hotel are present.

Features/Pages affected

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

Comments

Please comment on the discussion page.