Meta’s Open Maps Team focuses on improving OpenStreetMap (OSM) data for pedestrian features in select major cities worldwide. We collaborate with governments, advocacy groups, universities, and startups, all united by the goal of building safer and more accessible communities for pedestrians. Our efforts support the OSM community through a suite of mapping tools, including Rapid Editor and Mapillary, which facilitate data capture and automate the mapping process. Validators are also compensated with a stipend for their contributions.
Introductions
Liv: Hi! I’m Liv, a junior at The George Washington University majoring in Geography and Political Science, with a minor in Geographic Information Systems. Living in D.C., I am a huge fan of walking and public transportation. This project interested me because one of its goals is to improve pedestrian accessibility, which is a step forward in decreasing car dependency!
Sam: Hello! I’m Sam, a junior at The George Washington University studying Environmental Science and Data Science. As someone living in D.C., I know firsthand how essential accurate, detailed maps are for navigating a bustling city. This is why I joined the GW YouthMappers this past fall semester! I wanted to contribute to this project and hopefully make a real impact in the areas we map.
Alex: And I’m Alex, a recent alumnus of The George Washington University and an adjunct professor of Geography/GIS at GW. I was excited to join this project because it not only supports the development of new technologies but also generates a wealth of open data that municipalities, NGOs, GIS students, and researchers will be able to use in ways that may surprise us!
What We Do
Liv: The project involves completing tasks through the RapidID tasking manager. Each city has different instructions and mapping requirements. More basic projects just require mapping sidewalks and crossings, while others demand more specific details, such as tagging curbs. The first project I worked on was in Brooklyn, NY, which served as a great introduction to pedestrian mapping due to its uniform grid layout and the active local mapping community that provided constructive feedback. Currently, I am working on the London project, which is definitely more challenging due to the quality of the imagery and the variable nature of the roads. Additionally, I help train new mappers who join the project, which has been a rewarding experience to share everything I’ve learned!
Sam: Since I’m still relatively new to the team, I’ve been working on simpler tasks; my first was in Phoenix, AZ, where I mapped out sidewalks and crosswalks. I think this was a great place to start, as most of the imagery was clear and easy to follow, and many of the areas were organized into clean-cut sections. There were still times when I was unsure if what I was looking at was actually a sidewalk or where one began and ended. However, the street view feature came in handy for those situations, as did the tutorial videos provided for beginners!
Alex: I also started tracing in Phoenix just a couple of months ago, which has been an interesting challenge since there are neighborhoods where sidewalks are unpaved. Correctly identifying and categorizing these could be tricky! I have also been working a bit in London, where I’ve encountered all sorts of unusual quirks, including narrow footpaths and even an “equestrian-only sidewalk.” Additionally, I am involved in this project’s expansion efforts, including communicating with YM chapters across the USA, streamlining hiring procedures, developing interactive training modules, and preparing for a larger influx of new members in early 2025!
Skills We Have Developed
Liv: This project has taught me many valuable skills in using OpenStreetMap and tasking managers. There’s a lot of problem-solving involved, especially in more difficult cities like London, where we rely heavily on street view imagery to fill in the blanks. Additionally, I’ve learned how to identify accessibility features, like tactile paving, which vary from place to place.
Sam: I’ve learned to train my eyes to identify sidewalks and crossings even when they aren’t immediately obvious by using context clues from the area and street-view imagery. One thing I’ve noticed is that while most of the roads in the areas I worked on were already mapped, the sidewalks were often missing. Many societies, especially in the U.S., are heavily car-dependent, which makes traveling as a pedestrian far less accessible. If people don’t know where they can walk, they’re more likely to rely on cars, even for short trips. That’s why I think initiatives like our mapping team are a great step toward promoting more sustainable ways of life!
Alex: I’ve found it fascinating how each city’s municipal laws, cultures, and norms influence how pedestrians interact with infrastructure and how this impacts mapping. I’ve also learned a lot from our partners at Meta and especially from the students, who are remarkably skilled and experienced OpenStreetMappers.
Our Takeaways
Throughout this process, we have learned a lot about the impact of this work. We believe this initiative is extremely important because it promotes accessibility and sustainability by ensuring that pedestrian infrastructure is accurately represented on maps. In many places, sidewalks and crossings are overlooked, making it harder for people to navigate cities on foot. By mapping these features, we aim to empower individuals to make informed travel decisions and encourage a shift toward more pedestrian-friendly, sustainable urban environments.
About the Authors
Livjit Deol is a Political Science and Geography/GIS student at The George Washington University in D.C. and is originally from New Jersey. Currently working as a team lead on the Meta-YouthMappers Pedestrian Mapping Project, she is passionate about GIS and exploring how it can be used for social impact and urban development.
Samantha Pomeroy is a dedicated YouthMapper studying Environmental Science and Data Science at The George Washington University. Originally from Connecticut, she is passionate about creating opportunities for more sustainable ways of life.
Alexander McDonald, originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, studied Math and History at the University of Denver in Colorado. After serving in the Peace Corps in Namibia and AmeriCorps, he interned at MAPLE Microdevelopment and worked for the Census Bureau, overseeing the 2020 decennial operations in southern Oregon. He later studied Geography/GIS at The George Washington University in D.C., where he is now an adjunct professor, a collaborator on the Meta-YouthMappers OSM Pedestrian Mapping Project, and a program analyst at the EPA.
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