Uploading GPS Traces to OpenStreet maps(OSM layers)

CLICK ON THE LINKS (PART1 AND PART 2) TO WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO DEMO FOR THIS TOPIC
Part 1, Part 2

Openstreet maps is an open source web mapping platform where contributors from allover the globe upload geodata and update geoinformation on the web map. One way to contribute is to upload GPS data collected from the field and use these data to update the map. Openstreet maps are available to all and the information is used in many online mapping application platforms.
This post will demonstrate how to upload GPS traces or data onto OpenStreetMaps.

Things to note
- Register or Sign up an account on OpenStreetMaps. It is a non-subscription platform so its free to sign up.
- GPS data that is to be uploaded onto OSM must have at least a track feature. There are instructions on how to add false track features in case your GPS data came without tracks.
- GPS data to be downloaded must have their TimeStamps. Uploads are usually rejected if there are no Timestamps.

Task
To upload a track captured by the GPS receiver and save as GPS Traces in OSM. Our track is representative of the route from one district to another district within a city.
The Track named Karu-Kubwa route has 296 waypoints.

Procedure

Browse to the OpenStreetMap account. Go to GPS Traces ( where the cursor finger is pointing)


This page will open. Click on Upload a trace (where the cursor finger is)


Here we click on browse to navigate to where the GPX file is. Write a description and put tags, Click Upload.


Once the upload is complete, this page opens and the file is put on pending, see Karu-Kubwa route.gpx. After about thirty minutes,an email will be sent to the inbox of the email supplied during registration. The email will inform the user whether the upload was successful or not as well as stating the reason in case of upload failure.


Once Upload is done, the pending sign is removed and the trace is displayed. See Karu-Kubwa route. Click map (where the cursor finger is) to view the trace on the map

The GPS trace is highlighted in blue on the map display.


The GPS traces have been successfully added onto the map.

Thanks for reading the blog. Hope you learnt something new. Send your comments and feedback.

Creating and publishing a simple web map using google maps engine

Web maps are becoming a popular means of disseminating information online. The web map makes the information available in real time and several users can update the map without recourse to any central fixed location. For example, data in map form can be shared between company execs and field workers at the click of the button.

For this post, we will demonstrate how we use  google maps engine- to create and publish a web map from data we downloaded from the GPS receiver.

Task
Create and publish a web map with google maps from data downloaded from the GPS receiver.

Steps
- Download the data from the GPS receiver using DNR GPS
- Convert it to KML format using DNRGPS
- Load it into google maps engine and design the web map for display
- Publish the web map and embed on a webpage.

Enjoying the break, here is a cue for what is coming up this week.

A lot of GIS data can be useful in the GPS receiver. Points, Polyline and Polygon features mapped out in the GIS environment may often times need ground truthing or confirmation on the ground using a GPS receiver. In addition, GPS data from the GIS environment may be required to carry out navigation.Consequently, mapping enthusiasts and professionals will need to convert and transfer data from GIS softwares to the GPS receiver.

This week, we start with tips that cover uploading data layers (Points, Polygon and Polylines) from mainstream GIS softwares to the GPS receiver as Waypoints, Route and Tracks.

Check out this presentation on A Refresher on GPS data types stored in a GPS receiver.

We will be using two mainstream GIS softwares -ArcMap 10.2 and QGIS to demonstrate this process . ArcMap 10.2 is part of the ArcGIS suite and is a license subscription sofware while QGIS is an open source freeware.

So stay tuned as we hope this tips will be useful to you all. Feel free to let us have your feedback.