Using Data from OpenStreetMap with Overpass Turbo

Happy New Year! First, some exciting news…. I recently became an official writer for Tierra Insights, a Medium publication dedicated to exploring the intersection of data science, GIS, AI, and machine learning whose mission is to provide insightful, actionable content for professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts.

So, let’s dive into today’s topic and explore how to use OpenStreetMap data for your mapping projects!

Introduction

OpenStreetMap is an editable web map of the world. Contributors collect data from surveys, trace from aerial photo imagery or satellite imagery, and import from other freely licensed geodata sources, basically a free wiki world map.

This guide will show you how to extract OSM data using Overpass Turbo query, export it for use in ArcGIS or publish the data on uMap.

Understanding Overpass Turbo

Overpass Turbo is a web-based query tool that allows users to extract specific data from OpenStreetMap by using a query language. It’s highly customizable, making it ideal for retrieving data that fits your needs, such as building, roads, or hospitals.

The Overpass API searches the OSM database for features whose metadata or topology match criteria specified in a structured query language. Overpass turbo is an integrated development environment for querying the API.

Accessing Overpass Turbo

When you first access Overpass Turbo, you’ll notice a simple yet powerful interface designed for querying OpenStreetMap (OSM) data. The left side of the screen is the query editor, where you write Overpass QL (Query Language) code to define the data you want to retrieve. The right side is the interactive map, where the results of your query are displayed. Above the editor, you’ll find buttons to run, save, and export queries, making it easy to extract and visualize spatial data.

Overpass Turbo Interface

Understanding how Overpass Turbo processes queries allows users to pull specific datasets from OSM efficiently. Now, let’s dive into the mechanics of how Overpass Turbo works and explore one example of data queries.

An Overpass Query for Primary Roads in Nairobi

This query retrieves all primary roads in Nairobi by defining Nairobi as the area of interest and selecting ways tagged as highway=primary. The result displays the roads along with their associated nodes for proper mapping.

Since our goal for this article is to explore nuclear projects in France, we will now run a different query to extract nuclear-related data in France.

Qverpass query displaying nuclear related data

Once the data has been queried in Overpass Turbo, we have two main options for utilizing it: downloading it in different formats for local use or integrating it directly with uMap for web-based visualization. Let’s explore how to proceed with both methods.

Exporting Data from Overpass to use in Desktop Software

Overpass Turbo allows exporting data in formats like GeoJSON, KML, and GPX, which can be imported into GIS software for further analysis. To export the data from Overpass Turbo, start by clicking the “Export” button at the top. A pop-up menu will appear, offering multiple format options such as GeoJSON, KML, GPX, and OSM XML. Select the format that best suits your needs, then click to download the file to your local machine.

For this project, I will download the data in KML format. KML is an XML-based format designed for geographic data visualization, commonly used in applications like Google Earth and ArcGIS. One of the key advantages of KML for ArcGIS is that it preserves spatial attributes, styling, and hierarchical organization, making it easier to work with and visualize in mapping software.

After downloading data from Overpass , we can now import it into a GIS desktop software , ArcGIS in this case, for further analysis and visualization. To provide better geographic context, we’ll also need administrative boundaries, which can be obtained from here. These boundaries will help in spatial analysis, allowing us to overlay the OSM data accurately within defined regions.

opendatasoft platform

With our datasets ready, we can now move into the mapping process in ArcGIS, where we’ll clean, style, and analyze the data to create meaningful visualizations. To begin, start by creating a new map in ArcGIS Pro. On the left-hand side, you’ll see the Contents pane, which will display the layers we add. First, import the administrative boundaries by navigating to Add Data and selecting the downloaded boundary file. Next, add the OpenStreetMap data by following the same process.

Once both datasets are loaded, you should see the administrative boundaries overlaying the nuclear-related data points. At this stage, your project should start taking shape, providing a structured spatial context for further analysis, something like this:

OSM Data queried from Overpass Turbo in ArcGIS

Next Steps…

After importing the data into ArcGIS, users can proceed with their usual workflow to analyze and visualize the information. Before making any modifications, it’s important to first check the data source to ensure coherence between the coordinate system and datum of the two data layers. This helps avoid misalignment issues when overlaying multiple datasets. Once the projection and spatial reference are verified, I recommend starting by clipping the global administrative boundaries to retain only France. This step ensures that the nuclear-related data is displayed within the correct geographical context, making it easier to interpret and work with.

Publishing OpenStreetMap Data on uMap

Alternatively, we can bypass the need for local storage by sending the data directly to uMap, an open-source web mapping platform that allows real-time updates as new data is contributed to OpenStreetMap. It is web-based mapping tool that allows users to create and share custom maps and provides an intuitive interface for adding markers, polygons, and lines, making it a powerful yet simple platform for visualizing spatial data without requiring advanced GIS skills. One of its key advantages is the ability to integrate real-time data, ensuring maps stay up to date as new contributions are made to OpenStreetMap.

uMap Interface

The uMap interface is designed to be user-friendly, even for those new to mapping. On the left side, you’ll find the main control panel, where you can manage layers, change the map style, and configure settings. The right side displays the interactive map, where you can visualize data, add features, and customize elements like labels and colors. uMap supports various base maps, allowing users to choose from different styles such as satellite imagery, terrain, or standard OpenStreetMap tiles.

Mapping Interface

Instead of downloading the data manually, Overpass Turbo allows us to export data via a URL. After running a query, click on the “Export” button and select “Raw data directly from Overpass API”. This provides a URL that can be used to fetch live data, ensuring that our map always reflects the latest updates from OpenStreetMap. This is particularly useful for projects that require real-time or frequently updated geographic data.

Exporting remote data url from Overpass Turbo

To add the Overpass Turbo data to uMap, open your uMap project and click on the layers icon (shown in red) and click on add new layer. Instead of uploading a file, select the “Remote data URL” option and paste the Overpass API URL. This method allows the data to refresh dynamically whenever new nuclear-related features are added to OpenStreetMap.

Once the data has been added, it will be displayed as points, lines, or polygons depending on the type of features retrieved from Overpass Turbo. uMap provides customization options such as adjusting marker colors, modifying icons, and setting label styles. Users can also add pop-up descriptions to display detailed information about data point when clicked.

Web Map of Nuclear Related data in France

On the uMap visualization, the blue icons represent different nuclear-related features, including power plants, research centers, and other infrastructure. Each marker is interactive, allowing users to explore more details about specific locations. You can view my finalized nuclear energy web map here.

Final Thoughts

By combining the power of OpenStreetMap, Overpass Turbo, Desktop Software, and uMap, you can access, analyze, and share geospatial data efficiently. This workflow ensures your information is always up-to-date and accessible.

Happy Mapping!