OpenStreetMap Forum

Hungerburg

Member

Registered: 2020-12-11

Posts: 511

surface ground

Documentation says, something more specific should be used. Currently making a mountain path more precise. It passes several terrains: wood, grass, scree, bare rock. Not wanting to split the path into sections, will surface ground use the terrain as value?

GerdP

Member

Registered: 2015-12-18

Posts: 1,972

Re: surface ground

What do you mean with "will surface ground use the terrain as value"?
Do you expect that data consumers will split the way at the boundaries of natural=* areas to convert e.g. natural=grassland to surface=grass for the path? I don't think that any data consumer does that and I see no need for that.
In my eyes, surface=ground means something like "the way is not maintained, it only exists because animals or people use it". In German I would call it Trampelpfad. Often the surface changes every few meters and in that case I would not split the way. If there is a long stretch (say +100m) with a more specific surface then split.

Hungerburg

Member

Registered: 2020-12-11

Posts: 511

Re: surface ground

The idea came, German speaking here, as JOSM calls it "Erde", which I'd reverse translate to "soil" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil). "Erde" has a notion of organic material, perhaps though only, because one usually does not see the lower horizons. "Ground" on the other hand to me does not have this connotation, thats why I am asking on the international forum.

I rather not split due to surface alone. Will stick to ground as least common denominator then, where there is a mix; as a positive way to say unpaved. Human consumers still allowed to make their guesses

PS: Seems, from the WP article, in ancient Greek, ground and earth are connected, both are "the fundamental stone" (bedrock?)

Mateusz Konieczny

Member

Registered: 2013-09-22

Posts: 2,698

Re: surface ground

wood, grass, scree, bare rock

I would recommend splitting.

even surface=unpaved or surface=ground would be incorrect here (unless by "wood" you mean "tree roots")