UN Mappers volunteers drive major improvements to the road network of Somalia

We are excited to announce the completion of our project to fix disconnected roads in Somalia, a testimonial to the dedication and hard work of the vibrant UN mapping community. 

The project focused on mapping missing segments to link non-connected highways on OpenStreetMap in Somalia, with the aim of improving the road network. In the context of OpenStreetMap, "disconnected highways" refer to objects tagged as "highway” that are not connected to the main network. These can be individual objects or groups of isolated roads.

The methodology was based on identifying disconnected roads using Osmose (not-connected highway, excluding paths). The identified critical points (1008 issues found) were then added to a MapRoulette Challenge, open from December 2023 to June 2024 to community contributions to resolve them. Our community achieved remarkable results:

  • 91% of issues fixed: Out of 1008 identified issues, 918 have been successfully addressed.

  • 6% already fixed: 62 issues were found to be already resolved.

  • 2% not an issue: 25 cases were deemed non-issues upon review.
     

 

 

MapRoulette

MapRoulette Challenge Interface.
 

 

 

Three tasks were marked as "Can't complete." In a second post-challenge phase, our validators reviewed the results in Osmose and resolved the remaining and newly generated issues.

Wherever possible, roads were connected to the main network. In cases where the road network was far from the disconnected road, the MapWithAI plugin in JOSM was used to identify the shortest path for connection. However, in some cases, it was not possible to resolve the issue, particularly where roads were in mountainous, poorly mapped, and remote areas, making connection impossible to identify. Similarly, isolated areas separated by long stretches of desert, where sand covers the tracks, posed challenges. These cases can be identified on Osmose. Additionally, Osmose reports instances where groups of roads are located on islands and are naturally separated from the mainland road network.

 

 

Dunes

Road segments isolated by sand dunes.
 

 
Islands

Road network on an island, flagged as an issue on Osmose.
 

 

 

Remaining tasks

Some of the remaining critical points on Osmose to be resolved.
 

 

 

The project in Somalia started with the objective of underlining the importance of a reliable road network and systematically resolving errors in the database. Roads are the lifelines of any community, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services. In the context of peacekeeping missions and local communities, well-connected road networks are vital for several reasons:

Improved mobility: Connected roads enable peacekeepers to move quickly and efficiently across regions, responding promptly to security threats and humanitarian needs.

Enhanced logistics: a reliable road network ensures that essential supplies such as food, medical aid and equipment reach their destination without unnecessary delays. This is crucial in regions where timely delivery can make a difference.

Economic impact: Improved road connectivity promotes economic activity by enabling trade and commerce. In Somalia, where many communities depend on trade for their livelihoods, connected roads can contribute significantly to economic stability and growth.

Community access: Well-connected roads give communities better access to essential services such as health care, education and markets. This is especially important in remote and underserved areas.

The UN Mappers community is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when people from different backgrounds come together with a common goal. 

We extend our sincere gratitude to all those involved in this challenge. Your contributions have been invaluable, and your efforts contribute to creating safer and more effective environments for peacekeeping operations.   

We look forward to facing new challenges and continuing our mission. Given the success of this pilot initiative, we are working to replicate the model in the other countries where we operate. In addition, it will be important to keep control of the situation of the road network in the country, so that new issues that emerge will be promptly resolved. Stay tuned for updates! 
 

 

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