General
What is the current status of the OpenHDMaps platform?
The platform is live, containing a number of marketplace cards, map visualizations and querying tools. New functionalities are steadily rolling out.
What data is available for me to use in my project?
At minimum, you will have access to either the HD vector base map for the Region of Waterloo or a set of streetview imagery for six areas 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
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.
Is there an API available to interface with OpenHDMaps?
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.
How is Open HD Maps structured?
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 allow users to evaluate the data within the system and derive valuable insights.
How can I upload data to the OpenHDMap?
Data can 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.
What kinds of formats are allowed to add data to the platform?
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. Links to the repository can be posted on the marketplace for users to access and download the data.
What would be the workflow to create a web map application containing the layers we create?
Users do not have the ability to build a web application using the layers hosted in the platform.
How soon after the data is loaded on the platform is it visible on the map browser?
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 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 don't have a signed contributors agreement, then OpenHDMaps will remove the card from the Marketplace without notice.
What is the size limit of data stored on the platform?
Users can upload files 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 this limit.
If users would like to store data greater than these limits, they should reach out to OpenHDMaps
Ownership
What are the data sharing terms and conditions?
In general, use of the data for participants is limited to research and development activities. The data may not be used as part of a commercial product or service unless terms and conditions between the data provider, data consumer, and OpenHDMaps for the use of the Data has been negotiated in a separate Data License Agreement.
Who else will have access to the OpenHDMaps?
Other small/medium enterprises (SME) that are participating in the program will have access to the data for R&D purposes at no cost. Large corporate organizations that have partnered with and are contributing to the OpenHDMap project may also be granted access to the data.