Question 1

What is the current status of the OpenHDMaps platform?

Accepted Answer

The platform is live, containing a number of marketplace cards, map visualizations and querying tools. New functionalities are steadily rolling out.

Question 2

What data is available for me to use in my project?

Accepted Answer

At minimum, you will have access to either the HD vector bas map for the Region of Waterloo or a set of streetview imagery for six ares of interest. As part of the HD base map, building footprint, driveway, edge of curb, parking, road, road centerlines, road marking and bike lane vector layers are available for the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.
https://demo.ecopiatech.com/demo/030/001 (https://demo.ecopiatech.com/demo/030/001)

Rich LiDAR data has been contributed by participants and a number of open source data sets have also been curated.

Check out the Data Catalogue to see the latest data that you will have access to on the platform.

Question 3

Is there an API available to interface with OpenHDMaps?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a number of APIs are available, allowing users to obtain features in a target radius or using feature ID. Additional APIs for uploading, changing, and updating attributes are currently in development.

These APIs allow users to query raw data for the parts of the Waterloo region that have currently been mapped.

Question 4

How is Open HD Maps structured?

Accepted Answer

It is a combination of a mapping platform and data marketplace, where users can download, interact with, and upload geospatially enabled datasets. There are a number of analysis functionalities integrated within the platform that allows users to evaluate the data within the system and derive valuable insights.

Question 5

How can I upload data to the OpenHDMaps?

Accepted Answer

Data ca be uploaded in zipped shapefile or geoTIFF format. You can also share external API and FTP links for end users. Only geoTIFFs and shapefiles will be available for visualization within the platform.

Question 6

What kinds of formats are allowed to add data to the platform?

Accepted Answer

Shapefiles and geoTIFFs can be uploaded and visualized using the browser features. If your data set is very large, then there is the opportunity to upload the data to an OpenHDMaps repository. Link to the repository can be posted on the Marketplace for users to access and download the data.

Question 7

What would be the workflow to create a web application containing the layers we create?

Accepted Answer

Users do no have the ability to build a web application using the layers hosted in the platform.

Question 8

How soon after the data is loaded on the platform is it visible on the map browser?

Accepted Answer

Users can upload data into their private workspace on the platform up to 5 GB and work with it immediately.

Users can also publish the data on the Marketplace, but should contact openhdmaps@communitech.ca (openhdmaps@communitech.ca)first and ensure they have signed the contributors agreement to make sure they understand and agree to how the data on the Marketplace can be used by participants of the OpenHDMaps platform. If they do not have a signed contributors agreement, then OpenHDMaps will remove the card for the Marketplace without notice

Question 9

What is the size limit of data stored on the platform?

Accepted Answer

Users can upload files up up to 5 GB in size to their private workspace. At this time, users are entitled to 10 GB of free total storage per account. Map files and layers (.exl and .exp) do not count towards the limit.

If users would like to store data greater than these limits, they should reach out to OpenHDMaps.

Frequently Asked Questions