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The title pretty much says it all. Is there an accurate method to calculate the distance of an OSM way?

asked 10 Feb '13, 19:45

Sadeer's gravatar image

Sadeer
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accept rate: 0%

edited 10 Feb '13, 19:55

Please add some details like what accuracy do you need. What is your source data? Is it a way id, an osm file or do you have these ways in a database?

Also knowing what you need to do, would help to write a good answer (otherwise you might get a perfectly good formula for calculating the length with pencil and paper).

(10 Feb '13, 20:12) RM87
2

I'm given an OSM XML file and would like to calculate the distances of the ways in the XML file. It's needed for my academic project which is to implement a routing engine.

(10 Feb '13, 20:24) Sadeer

Everything about routing or similar aims based on OSM data is collected in the OSM wiki about Routing.

Search for opensource solutions to implement something in your project.

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answered 11 Feb '13, 12:29

stephan75's gravatar image

stephan75
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accept rate: 6%

For any consecutive points P1(lat1,lon1), P2(lat2,lon2) in a "way" calculate the corresponding P1(x1,y1,z1), P2(v2,y2,z2) and so calculate the cetral angle "alpha" in the corresponding main circle (use the scalar or vector product of the 2 position vectors). The diatnce is then dist=alpha*R (R, the major semi-axis of the WGS'84 sphere). You can find many related articles by searching, for example using "latitude longitude distance" key-words, like the following one http://www.movable-type.co.uk/scripts/latlong.html

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answered 11 Feb '13, 12:01

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sanser
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question asked: 10 Feb '13, 19:45

question was seen: 12,745 times

last updated: 11 Feb '13, 12:29

NOTICE: help.openstreetmap.org is no longer in use from 1st March 2024. Please use the OpenStreetMap Community Forum