Uber

Uber Technologies, Inc. headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a global company that provides ride-hailing, food delivery, freight transportation, and courier services.

Project Overview

Global Contributions to OpenStreetMap

Uber actively contributes to OpenStreetMap (OSM) by enhancing the global basemap with accurate, high-quality data. A key strength of this effort is our local, on-the-ground presence in over 70 markets, represented by dedicated Operations (OPs) teams. These teams serve as a valuable source of local knowledge, ensuring that our edits reflect real-world conditions across diverse regions.

This local insight is put into action by a team of skilled, trained mapping operators who adhere to established best editing practices. Through this combination of global scale and local expertise, Uber supports the accuracy, reliability, and overall quality of the OSM map for the benefit of the entire community.

Key areas of focus include:

• Updating road networks: improving geometry, road classes, names, turn restrictions, and directionality.
• Adding detailed lane information: including turn lanes and lane connectivity.
• Enhancing transportation infrastructure: mapping signposts, shields, and key transit features.
• To ensure the accuracy of edits, sources such as recent aerial imagery, street-level photography, and other locally recommended community references are reviewed. Only edits that are clearly supported by these sources are uploaded to OpenStreetMap (OSM)

By contributing high-quality, verified data to OSM, we aim to support more accurate navigation, better trip planning, and a more comprehensive global map experience.

Improving Walking Accuracy Projects

A key focus of our mapping initiative is the creation and refinement of walking lines and sidewalks across the United States. By enriching this data, we aim to support better pedestrian navigation and accessibility. Our dedicated team—based in India and California—will be actively contributing to OSM by:

• Creating and updating walking paths and sidewalks to enhance walkability.
• Mapping indoor airport features such as terminals, entrances, security checks, elevators, and escalators for improved indoor navigation.
• Collaborating with local operations teams and using available data sources for validation and accuracy.
• Ensuring all edits comply with OSM’s Organized Editing Best Practices.

These efforts directly support Uber’s goal of providing seamless and accurate trip experiences for all users, particularly in urban environments where pedestrian infrastructure is essential.

Sources of Edits

Uber gathers ground truth and driver GPS data to keep maps up to date with real-time changes . Our drivers and riders also assist by reporting any map-related issues or ride problems they encounter.

Process Flow

• Identify Problematic Areas – Analyze user reports and trip data to detect issues. Use internal GPS probe data to locate inaccuracies.
• Data Validation – Cross-reference internal data with Mapillary SLI’s and field inputs to confirm discrepancies.
• Editing the Map – Use ID Editor for simple fixes and JOSM for complex edits.
• Validation & Error Resolution – Run validation tools, fix all errors and warnings.
• Quality Assurance – Perform internal audits to ensure compliance with OSM policies and guidelines.
• Changeset Upload – Upload the changeset with appropriate and descriptive comments.

UBER MAP Edit Team

• The list of UBER MAP team members can be seen here: Uber OSM Project Team Members ^GitHub

When members of the Uber editing team receive feedback or comments on a changeset, responding within 24 hours is treated as a top priority. We value community engagement and encourage you to reach out with any feedback, questions, or suggestions.

Contact us at: OSM@uber.com