OSMTimeMachine
OSMTimeMachine (available on https://github.com/Lasith-Niro/OSMTimeMachine) is a web application that allows you to explore the historical changes of OpenStreetMap (OSM) way data using a time-slider interface. It allows you,
- to visualize the historical versions of OSM way.
- to navigate through different versions.
Features
View the historical versions of a selected OpenStreetMap way.
Using OSMTimeMachine, you can visually access and explore the different versions or edits made to a specific way (a linear feature such as a road, path, or river) on OpenStreetMap over time. As users make changes to the map, such as modifying the geometry, adding tags, or updating attributes in a particular way, a historical record of those edits is maintained.
OSMTimeMachine enables you to select a specific way on the map and access a timeline or list of all the edits made to that particular way. It allows you to investigate how the way has evolved over time, including changes to its geometry, tags, and other attributes. By navigating through the historical versions, you can compare different edits, observe the progression of the way's development, and analyze the evolution of its attributes. This feature can be valuable for various purposes, such as studying a specific area's history, understanding contributors' editing patterns, verifying data's accuracy, or identifying potential errors or discrepancies in the map.
With the interactive time-slider feature of OSMTimeMachine, you can effortlessly navigate through different versions of OpenStreetMap data. This user-friendly interface allows you to explore the evolution of a specific way over time by simply sliding through the timeline. Using the time-slider, you can dynamically switch between historical versions of the selected way. As you move the slider along the timeline, the map instantly updates to display the corresponding version of the way. This interactive experience enables you to transition between different snapshots of the way's development seamlessly.
Whether you're interested in studying the gradual changes in geometry, observing modifications to tags and attributes, or analyzing the contributions of various users, the time-slider empowers you to explore the nuances of each version. You can easily compare different iterations, track the progress of edits, and gain insights into the evolution of the way over time. The interactive time-slider feature provides a convenient and intuitive method to navigate through the historical versions of OpenStreetMap way objects. It allows you to delve into the details of each version and uncover the history of the selected way with a simple slide of your finger or click of your mouse.
Visualize the changes in the way geometry on an interactive map.
With OSMTimeMachine, you can visualize and analyze the changes in the geometry of a specific way on an interactive map. This powerful feature allows you to gain insights into how the shape and structure of the way have evolved over time. By selecting a way of interest, OSMTimeMachine displays a series of historical versions of that way on the map. Each version represents a different snapshot of the way's geometry, reflecting the edits made by contributors to varying points in time. As you navigate through the versions using the interactive interface, the map dynamically updates to show the corresponding geometries. This visual representation enables you to observe the specific changes that have been made to the way's path, nodes, and overall geometry.
By comparing different versions, you can easily identify modifications such as realignments, extensions, or simplifications of the way. This visual analysis helps you understand the evolution of the way's shape and provides valuable insights into the mapping process and the decisions made by contributors. The interactive map in OSMTimeMachine offers an intuitive and engaging way to explore the changes in the geometry of a specific way. It allows you to visually track the evolution of the way's structure, helping you gain a deeper understanding of the historical development of the mapped area.
Light-Weight Flask App
The OSMTimeMachine is a minimalist web application built on top of Flask, a popular Python web framework. It provides a simple and efficient way to develop and deploy web applications with a focus on simplicity and flexibility.
Source Code
The source code is available under AGPL-3 on GitHub. The project is maintained by User:Lasith-Niro
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! If you encounter any issues or have suggestions for improvements, please feel free to open an issue or submit a pull request.
Acknowledgements
- This project was inspired by the concept of time sliders in mapping applications.
- Special thanks to the OpenStreetMap community for providing the data.