GIS layer - pedestrian streets

[punto]

Hi to all,

pls, where to find explicit vector for urban "pedestrian streets" to load to Mapinfo in order to make some analysis ?

For checking if good I would like also to compare this data to some global map you use, that has clearly and accurately marked "pedestrian streets"

Thanks a lot for any help !

P

[ranengpro]

Here are some sources where you might find vector data for urban pedestrian streets, along with ways to check the data's accuracy:
Sources of Pedestrian Street Data:

• OpenStreetMap (OSM): This is a global, collaborative project to create a free and editable map of the world. OSM has a rich dataset that includes pedestrian streets, often with detailed attributes. You can download OSM data in various formats, including shapefiles that are compatible with MapInfo.
  
  • To export from OSM:
    
    • Go to https://www.openstreetmap.org/
    • Search for your area of interest.
    • Click "Export" and choose the "Overpass API" option.
    • Use the query language to filter specifically for pedestrian ways (e.g., highway=pedestrian).
  
  
• Government Data Portals: Many cities and municipalities maintain open data portals where you can find GIS datasets, including those related to transportation and streets. Search for "[your city/region] open data portal".
• Specialized GIS Data Providers: Companies like HERE Technologies or TomTom offer comprehensive map data that includes pedestrian streets. These datasets are typically commercial, but they may be more accurate and up-to-date.

Checking Data Accuracy by Comparing To a Global Map

1. Visual Inspection: Once you've loaded your potential pedestrian street data into MapInfo, overlay it with a base map that has clearly marked pedestrian areas. You can use:
   
   • Google Maps: Switch to the satellite view and look for areas that are obviously pedestrian-only. Compare these to your dataset for alignment.Google Maps website.
   • Bing Maps: Similar to Google Maps, Bing Maps offers satellite/aerial imagery that can help you visually confirm pedestrian streets.
   
   
2. Field Verification: The best way to ensure accuracy is to conduct a field survey. Walk a sample of the streets marked as "pedestrian" in your dataset, and verify whether they are indeed car-free zones.

Important Considerations:

• Data Definitions: Make sure you understand how "pedestrian streets" are defined in your chosen dataset. The definition may vary between sources (e.g., permanently pedestrianized versus temporarily pedestrianized).
• Data Freshness: Pedestrian infrastructure can change over time. Check the metadata for your data source to know when it was last updated.