Open Street Map

Introduction

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a collaborative project that creates a free, editable map of the world. It is built by a community of mappers who contribute and maintain data about roads, trails, cafés, railway stations, and much more, all over the globe. This open-source map is not only comprehensive but also constantly updated, ensuring that users have access to the most current geographic information.

• Global Coverage: OSM provides detailed and accurate maps for virtually every corner of the world. Whether you’re looking at a wind-turbine siting location, a bustling city or a remote village, OSM’s extensive coverage ensures you have the information you need.

• Community Effort: The strength of OSM lies in its community. Thousands of volunteers from around the world contribute to the map, adding new data and updating existing information. This collective effort results in a rich, detailed map that reflects real-world changes quickly and accurately.

• Get Involved: Interested in contributing? Visit the OSM project homepage to learn more about how you can participate. Whether you’re adding new locations, correcting errors, or enhancing existing data, your contributions help make OSM an even better resource for everyone.

• Two versions of OSM in windPRO: As a windPRO user, you can access the standard-rendering (as shown in this page) - or a map rendered with special emphasis on infrastructure and electrical grids (see the page on EMD Electrical Grid Map - here).

By integrating OSM into windPRO, you can leverage this dynamic and detailed mapping resource to enhance projects and analyses. Samples of two selected places in Denmark and Austria are shown in the figure below.

Samples of Open Street Map (left: Part of Aalborg, Denmark, right: Part of Vienna, Austria)
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Usage Notes

• Issue with mapping of disputed territories around the world (1):
  EMD policies on the OSM dynamic map in windPRO is aligned with official OSM policies. Citation from OSM-website: "Currently, we record one set that, in OpenStreetMap contributor opinion, is most widely internationally recognised and best meets realities on the ground, generally meaning physical control. In areas without clearly defined borders, the line is approximate." Learn more at the OSM wiki: https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Disputed_territories.
• Issue with mapping of disputed territories around the world (2):
  If it is not feasible for you to use the OSM-map based on actual in-situ conditions, such as if you need to use a map with your official national (claimed) borders or the international recognized borders: In this situation, we recommend to procure an official map from your national ordnance-survey or preferred map-provider. Then attach this map as a background map to windPRO. In windPRO it is very easy to add georeferenced images and map-servers: see how in the BASIS manual (section 2.4, this is available from the windPRO knowledgebase).

Data License

OpenStreetMap is open data, licensed under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL). The full license text is available from http://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright. You are free to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt our data, as long as you credit OpenStreetMap and its contributors.

Credits

OpenStreetMap require that you use the credit “© OpenStreetMap contributors”. Please remember to add this text when using Open Street Map Data.

External links

• OpenStreetMap - Home Page
• OpenStreetMap - About Page