Are crowdsourced datasets suitable for specialized routing services? Case study of OpenStreetMap for routing of people with limited mobility

Abstract

Nowadays, Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) has increasingly gained attractivenessto both amateur users and professionals. Using data generated from the crowd has become a hottopic for several application domains including transportation. However, there are concernsregarding the quality of such datasets. As one of the most famous crowdsourced mapping platforms,we analyze the fitness for use of OpenStreetMap (OSM) database for routing and navigation of peoplewith limited mobility. We assess the completeness of OSM data regarding sidewalk information.Relevant attributes for sidewalk information such as sidewalk width, incline, surface texture, etc.are considered, and through both extrinsic and intrinsic quality analysis methods, we present theresults of fitness for use of OSM data for routing services of disabled persons. Based on empiricalresults, it is concluded that OSM data of relatively large spatial extents inside all studied cities couldbe an acceptable region of interest to test and evaluate wheelchair routing and navigation services,as long as other data quality parameters such as positional accuracy and logical consistency arechecked and proved to be acceptable. We present an extended version of OSMatrix web service andexplore how it is employed to perform spatial and temporal analysis of sidewalk data completenessin OSM. The tool is beneficial for piloting activities, whereas the pilot site planners can queryOpenStreetMap and visualize the degree of sidewalk data availability in a certain region of interest.This would allow identifying the areas that data are mostly missing and plan for data collectionevents. Furthermore, empirical results of data completeness for several OSM data indicators and theirpotential relation to sidewalk data completeness are presented and discussed. Finally, the article endswith an outlook for future research study in this area.