Why we won't delete roads on private property
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Paths are regularly deleted from OSM with the claim they are located on private property and therefore should not be shown on any maps. Often this is done by landowners themselves, sometimes after problems with trespassing, littering etc.
Why deleting paths is not the solution
In OSM, we map what's on the ground. When we see a path when surveying or looking at aerial imagery / LIDAR, we will try to add it to the map. This also means that when a path is deleted, this process can start over again: since we map what's on the ground, the next contributor will notice the path and add it again.
The solution is not deleting the path, but adding more information to it. In the case of paths that are not publicly accessible, or illegal paths, this is usually done by tagging them as access=private. This is the only way to tell every user of OSM data that this path should not be used by the public. Routing algorithms take this into account and will not route you over these paths.
On the other hand, having private roads on the map can also help in the cases that these roads do need to be used. They help delivery services and emergency services such as the fire brigade.
Advantages of having these paths/roads on the map
- A map user who has a map that clearly states the path is private, can't claim ignorance. Clear information makes it easier to maintain the path private.
- Removal means that the next mapper sees a missing path on aerial footage and has no further information. They are likely to add it again, this time not knowing that it would need an access=private tag, which results in the path becoming public (per the default permissions).
- Having the path on the map makes it easier to avoid people accidentally using it. Spoken instructions like "take the first path on the left" could confuse people to walk into a private path.
- OSM data is used by emergency services too. The path might not be accessible for the general public, but knowing it exists could one day save lives.
Mapping private roads versus adding personal data
Mapping private roads does not imply mapping personal data. The latter should not be added to OpenStreetMap, see Limitations on mapping private information for more information.